Tuesday 27th February 2024

Audi R8 RWS | Spotted

911 GT3 money when new, now available for the price of a well-specced Cayman...

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The Audi R8 had everything going for it when it launched back in 2007: supercar looks, a naturally aspirated V8 with 420hp on tap and, best of all, a six-speed manual with a gated shifter. For a company that had never built a high-end sports car before, Audi came out of the blocks with a car capable of taking on the mighty 997 Porsche 911 right from the get-go. And it got better as the years went by. First a V10 model, then a more track-focused GT edition to bring an end to the first generation, swiftly followed by a second-gen model that propelled the R8 well and truly into the supercar arena.

However, for all the track variants and special editions, the R8 remained all-wheel drive for well over a decade. All versions were good to drive and could hold their own against more senior options, but some wondered if the R8 could be even better if power were sent to the back axle exclusively, thereby removing a load of weight from the front in the process. Of course, nobody really expected Audi to go rear-drive with the R8; Quattro is a staple of the company’s performance cars and, if it were ditched, it might threaten its Lamborghini sibling, the Huracan. Not to mention the 911 GT3, by then part of the VW Group. 

But then, in 2018, Audi pulled the trigger with the car you see here: the R8 RWS. The Rear Wheel Series focused more on simplifying than gunning for outright performance. The basis of the RWS would be the entry-level, 540hp version of its 5.2-litre V10, though the removal of the front driveshafts and differential saved a handy 50kg over the Quattro. Naturally, this would make the R8 a bit more challenging to drive, so boffins at Audi Sport fitted a beefier front anti-roll bar and tweaked the geometric to induce a bit more understeer in the name of safety. This is Audi we’re talking about. 

Thankfully, Audi also chucked out the R8’s awkward dynamic steering and settled for passive dampers, while power was channelled rearwards through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a no-frills limited-slip differential. This was the most basic R8 Audi had ever produced, even more so than the original V8, and yet it was widely praised for being the best of the lot to drive. Dan P wrote in 2018 that the RWS was the “sweetest and most enjoyable second-generation R8 so far”, hailing the “uncorrupted” feel of the standard steering rack and the “newfound responsiveness” from the front end. You won’t read that in any of the Quattro R8 reviews.

Perhaps anticipating that the RWS would be received more favourably than the Quattro, production was strictly limited to 999 units worldwide. Visual changes included an optional red stripe, a smattering of Audi Sport badges, a plaque reading ‘1 of 999’, and not much else. But the genius of the RWS is simplicity; leave the carbon splitter, skirts and wings to the track specials.

So what we have here is one of the best handling R8s there’s ever been, released to critical acclaim and built in relatively tiny numbers. Strangely, values haven’t exploded in the same way that lightweight(ish), limited-run supercars from Germany so often do. These were £112,000 when new, yet this 12,000-mile example can be had for just £76,990 - not to mention the £10,000 of optional extras the original owner splashed out on, so says the seller. That’s a lot of money that could have been spent on a 911 GT3 back in 2018; now, however, it’s either this or a Cayman GTS 4.0. Surely the V10 edges it. 

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SPECIFICATION | AUDI R8 RWS

Engine: 5,204cc V10
Transmission: seven-speed S Tronic dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 540@7,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 398@4,7800rpm
MPG: 22.38
CO2: 283g/km
Year registered: 2018
Recorded mileage: 12,000
Price new: £112,450 (before options)
Yours for: £76,990

See the original advert here

[m62tu]

Sensational value. In Harry's recent auction video there as a category S 911 gt3 touring and still commended 140k.

[Motormouth88]

I’ve always thought this gen are some of the best looking cars on the road, if I had the money I’d love to give ownership a go.

[saxy]

Huge value and great engine experience. I think the only thing that is discouraging is that the steering feeling. It's super light. The idea of the RWD only was to have a more pure experience in turn in, but instead it's become more of a grand tourer with a great V10 noise.

[JAMSXR]

A V10 package by Audi, what’s not to like.

[CountyAFC]

A remap away from the full 600+BHP experience.

[Robertb]

saxy said:

Huge value and great engine experience. I think the only thing that is discouraging is that the steering feeling. It's super light. The idea of the RWD only was to have a more pure experience in turn in, but instead it's become more of a grand tourer with a great V10 noise.

I wonder if experts like Center Gravity could improve the turn-in with some different geometry.

Either way a fantastic machine.

[bigmowley]

Absolutely brilliant cars. Love mine to bits. Bough it new in 2018 when Porsche started the GT3 shenanigans and I got knocked back as “I didn’t buy enough ordinary cars”.
I modified it to what it always should have been, and interestingly to almost exactly the run out R8GT spec. Audisport coilovers and aero kit, better brakes, seats and harnesses, 605HP R8 plus map, Audi spec Cup2 tyres. Since then I’ve done loads of trackdays, and 20K very enjoyable miles. Its never missed a beat. It’s the only R8 where you can fully disable the nanny electronics, big smokey drifts everywhere if that’s your thing, but more importantly on track throttle adjustability.
On track it’s properly quick, if heavy on consumables, very similar to my old GT4 RS, not quite as quick as a 992GT3.
My only bit of spec advice is make sure it’s got the factory sports exhaust. The noise is sublime.



Gets a bit of air





This or a Cayman it’s an absolute no brainer. The R8 plays in a whole different league. Stunning value for money.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've been behind a couple of V10 R8's when they've booted it, and they don't half get a shift on when you consider that they are only naturally aspirated. Proper flying machines on the road I reckon. I'm a fan for sure.

[GroundEffect]

This was at the very top of my list instead of buying a 718 Spyder but the reviews being a little cold on the steering put pay to that. And can't get the RWS with the roof down. Huge amount of car for the money though.

[P.Griffin]

Great bit of kit for the money.

I can't decide whether this represents a regular depreciated secondhand car, good value, or are GT3s are overpriced and overhyped.

Edited by P.Griffin on Tuesday 27th February 09:45

[TREMAiNE]

With current prices of most new and used metal, this does come across as a bit of a steal.

£77k for a 6 year old NA V10 supercar.
The supercar label is debatable with these - I can see why you'd say it's not but I reckon it just about creeps in.

My money would go on a used F360, but at the end of the day it's not fair comparison. This is much more usable - and objectively better in most ways.

[Krikkit]

bigmowley said:

Gets a bit of air

Proper.

[PH2]

I nearly bought one in the same colour last autumn, whilst on the lookout for a Gen 2 R8, it was at an Audi dealership and was around £84K with about 10K miles more on it compared to the one advertised here. The service history wasn't done fully to the Audi recommendations, so I didn't go for it in the end. The one disappointing factor for me was that Audi didn't badge it with the individual Build number and everyone had the same badge 1 - 999.
Ironically, I bought a V10 Plus in the end from ATP, who are selling this RWS.
If anyone is interested in this car, I don't think you'd do better than buying from them. They hand pick their cars with great documented history/condition and their attention to detail including prep is First class. I would highly recommend them, I travelled 3 hrs to buy it and I wasn't disappointed in the condition at all. It was spot on



Prep work being carried out before collection

Edited by PH2 on Tuesday 27th February 12:16

[Terminator X]

Nice. Think @bigmowley on here here has one.

TX.

Edit - lol he got in first

Edited by Terminator X on Tuesday 27th February 12:17

[PH2]

bigmowley said:

Absolutely brilliant cars. Love mine to bits. Bough it new in 2018 when Porsche started the GT3 shenanigans and I got knocked back as “I didn’t buy enough ordinary cars”.
I modified it to what it always should have been, and interestingly to almost exactly the run out R8GT spec. Audisport coilovers and aero kit, better brakes, seats and harnesses, 605HP R8 plus map, Audi spec Cup2 tyres. Since then I’ve done loads of trackdays, and 20K very enjoyable miles. Its never missed a beat. It’s the only R8 where you can fully disable the nanny electronics, big smokey drifts everywhere if that’s your thing, but more importantly on track throttle adjustability.
On track it’s properly quick, if heavy on consumables, very similar to my old GT4 RS, not quite as quick as a 992GT3.
My only bit of spec advice is make sure it’s got the factory sports exhaust. The noise is sublime.



Gets a bit of air





This or a Cayman it’s an absolute no brainer. The R8 plays in a whole different league. Stunning value for money.

Nice little write up, it's great to see that you are using it as designed

[Glenn63]

Yep, lots of want from me. Can’t think of anything else I’d go for for that price.
Do the newer RWD models hold the same praise for driving dynamics?

[WPA]

m62tu said:

Sensational value. In Harry's recent auction video there as a category S 911 gt3 touring and still commended 140k.

It was unrecorded so not a cat S.

This R8 does look great value

[Debaser]

bigmowley said:

Absolutely brilliant cars. Love mine to bits. Bough it new in 2018 when Porsche started the GT3 shenanigans and I got knocked back as “I didn’t buy enough ordinary cars”.
I modified it to what it always should have been, and interestingly to almost exactly the run out R8GT spec. Audisport coilovers and aero kit, better brakes, seats and harnesses, 605HP R8 plus map, Audi spec Cup2 tyres. Since then I’ve done loads of trackdays, and 20K very enjoyable miles. Its never missed a beat. It’s the only R8 where you can fully disable the nanny electronics, big smokey drifts everywhere if that’s your thing, but more importantly on track throttle adjustability.
On track it’s properly quick, if heavy on consumables, very similar to my old GT4 RS, not quite as quick as a 992GT3.
My only bit of spec advice is make sure it’s got the factory sports exhaust. The noise is sublime.



Gets a bit of air





This or a Cayman it’s an absolute no brainer. The R8 plays in a whole different league. Stunning value for money.

Fantastic!

I really like these.

[funbobby]

How can you tell if it has the sports exhaust or do all of these have one as standard?

[PH2]

funbobby said:

How can you tell if it has the sports exhaust or do all of these have one as standard?

Only by the noise, it came as an optional extra on its own or part of the sports pack.