Audi R8 RWD review - why it's the best but also worst!

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This is the new Audi R8 V10 Performance RWD!

That’s right, Audi’s all-conquering everyday supercar is now available in rear-wheel drive! The question is, should you choose it over the Quattro? It’s time to find out.

For starters, if you’re a fan of the looks of the Quattro, then you’re in luck! The RWD edition is almost identical to the four-wheel-drive edition both outside and in. Bar the odd bit of RWD badging, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the two different models for each other.

But it’s not the looks which are the same - you’ll still find the glorious 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 hidden under the glass roof, which puts down an almighty 570hp & 550Nm of torque. And yes, it still sounds absolutely incredible… At least, it does when you’re moving so Audi’s soft limiter doesn’t ruin your fun!

The question is, should you stump up £133,000+ for one and choose it over the Quattro?! You’ll have to stick with Mat & find out!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:36 Engine
01:28 Revs
02:16 Exterior Design
03:05 Interior
04:16 Boot
04:59 5 Annoying Things
06:01 5 Good Things
07:14 Driving
10:26 0-60mph
10:52 Brake Test
11:11 Verdict

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[carwow]

Name a better car than the R8. We'll wait...

[Robbo]

Carwow goes from reviewing a Dacia Jogger to an R8, I absolutely love the variety of cars 🚘. Keep up the good work Carwow and Mat 👍🔥

[Auditography]

Putting a softlimiter on a V10 engine is like cutting the horns on the bull. I.Just.Don't.Get.It.

[mrnicktoyou]

They should give this model a manual gearbox. That would give it an even more raw and engaging feel.

[DerKaktusAvant]

to bypass the rev limiter. Put it in drive and edge it forward slightly. Then pop it in neutral and rev to your heart's desire.

[seddam]

I wouldnt imagine RWD will be such a special thing in the future. As it will be with manual gearbox. Because everything you get nowadays is either fwd in economy car or if it is sport car it is AWD with automatic.

[mehmett.bakkal]

A high revving v10 with mid engine rwd configuration and a super fast tranmission with decent fun factor.. from AUDI! AUDI!!

[melchiorphoenix]

I'd love to see a drag race between the RWD R8 vs the Quattro

[LordLootus]

I’d rather have this version, with the colour matched side body panels and missing all the other stuff that doesn’t get included. It’s just a bit simpler. Even with 19s on it’s probably far more comfortable on the road.

[johnjerrehian]

I agree, the R8/Audi is known for the Quattro. The extra power, suspension and Quattro make the all wheel drive version my choice too. Plus, the R8 V10 Plus now has 620HP. This is faster than the 2 wheel drive version too.

[miguelsaez]

Look at the climate controls, same as yesterdays Dacia ^^

[Twmpa]

Love the sound of the V10 but it is a shame that the RWD is effectively being marketed as a 'base' model rather than being a straight forward 2WD version of the Quattro.

[joshbacon]

What would those “marketing reasons” that Mat mentioned include? Maybe to stop it from cannibalising sales of the Quattro version?

[okithdesilva]

Audi R8 is my favourite Audi car ever and I love the unique design and the performance of the R8

[Jobaa]

4:05 This triggered me, are you sure that trim is plastic? It looks aluminium to me... Pretty sure Audi doesn't use chrome painted plastic. Even on my TT everything that looks metallic actually is.

[icarusflying]

I have the previous generation of this car and it’s simply incredible. The noise is unreal (no soft limiter!), the looks it gets, the fun of a RWD and it’s not expensive to maintain like a Ferrari, because it’s an Audi.

Short Autobahn vid on my profile 👌

[jysmth]

love the drone footage that being added in especially while drifting!

[frederikw.]

one thing you can do to somewhat work around the limiter is to drive around 5-10 kmh and put it in neutral, then you can rev it as much as you want.

[justinharris]

The sound of an r8 always does something to me man

[thatniceroccor]

Make it manual and convertible and you have one of the best cars for sale