Right before Audi facelifted the second-gen R8 for 2019, it released the Audi R8 V10 RWS, which was, essentially, a RWD version of the V-10 R8. The model was limited to just 999 examples, though, leaving anyone who wanted a RWD R8 left holding an empty bag. All that has changed now, though, as Audi as finally launched a new RWD version of the R8 with a V-10, and it looks even better than the RWS since it’s being introduced post-facelift. Even better yet, this baby isn’t production limited, so you might actually stand a chance at getting one. It’s not all peaches and cream, though, and there are a couple of things that you need to know.

The Audi R8 V10 RWD Has Facelifted Looks But Not the Power

When Audi updated the R8 for 2019, the V-10 heart of this beast was massaged to deliver 570 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Not only is that 37 horsepower and about 8 pound-feet shy of the AWD R8 V10, but it’s also 7 horsepower shy of the 2018 R8 V10. Where the pre-facelift model hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and the facelifted model making the same sprint in about 3.4, the R8 V10 RWD will get you there in 3.7 seconds while topping out at 198 mph.

Those credentials aren’t bad, and you can thank a slight drop in weight for the still somewhat impressive performance. Without the center differential and the front prop shafts, the R8 V10 RWD weights about 65 kg (around 143 pounds.) It’s still outrageous heavy, though, tipping the scales at 3,516 pounds in coupe form and 3,736 pounds in spyder form.

As the Entry-Level Model, the Audi R8 V10 RWD is the Cheapest

Audi hasn’t formally announced pricing for the 2020 Audi R8 V10 RWD, but we’re guessing it’ll follow the footsteps of the RWS in that it will be the cheapest. With the R8 V10 Quattro starting out at $169,900 on the U.S. market, expect the RWD mode to start out in the mid-$150,000 range. Of course, you’re lacking performance a bit, but you get the thrill of RWD, and let’s be honest; there aren’t a lot of naturally aspirated, 500+ horsepower, mid-engined RWD sports cars out there.

Very Few Differences Set the Cheaper, R8 V10 RWD Apart from the R8 V10 Quattro

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It actually takes a keen eye to spot the differences between the R8 V10 RWD and the R8 V10 Quattro. There are a few of them to point out, though. First off, the upper side blade on the RWD model is gloss black, and the lower one is finished in the same color as the rest of the body. The gloss black theme carries over to the front splitter, rear diffuser, and side skirt inserts as well. That’s literally it in terms of differentiating features on the outside. On the inside, however, there are two more standout features, at least one of them you’re going to like.

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The first interior difference I spotted is the RWD logo on the dashboard ahead of the driver. Maybe it’s there to remind the driver to hang on the oh-shit handle since this thing is RWD, or maybe it’s just, so there’s actually something to set it apart. The other difference is the sports seats with a pretty healthy dose of Alcantara.

Final Thoughts

I have to admit that I’m not really surprised that Audi came out with a RWD version of the R8. It’s almost like the company was testing the water with the limited RWS, and it only makes sense as Audi had no problem moving the RWS. Of course, one could argue that the R8 shouldn’t be sold as RWD at all. The R8 was designed to be an AWD car from the very beginning and, while I can’t say for sure, I’m fairly confident that the RWD R8 doesn’t handle quite as well as the Quattro but then again, I’ve never been behind the wheel of the RWD model, so I don’t really have a frame of reference. When the R8 V10 RWD will come to the states remains to be seen, but it will apparently launch in Europe at the beginning of 2020.