Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The October Online Timed Auction on Thursday the 31st of October, Online. Background:
Audi launched its ultimate road car at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006. Looking remarkably close to the Le Mans concept car shown some three years earlier, it was a handsome, low-slung V8-powered, mid-engined two-seater sports coupé, featuring quattro full-time four-wheel drive. The all-aluminium chassis and powerful engine combined for what 6-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Jacky Ickx called ‘the best handling road car today.’
The car underwent a facelift in 2012 and a new model, the V10Plus was added to the range, largely based on the (Audi-owned) Lamborghini Gallardo chassis and powertrain. The second generation R8 was introduced in 2015, utilising the Modular Sports system platform shared with the Huracan. Power for the base model was boosted to 562bhp, while the V10 Plus now put out 612bhp.
Responding to requests for an even-more driver-focussed version – to compete head-on with Porsche’s 911 GT3 – Audi launched its first-ever rear-wheel drive production model, the limited edition V10 RWS (standing for Rear Wheel Series.)
Audi’s engineers deleted the front differential, dynamic steering and adaptive damping - shedding 50kgs in the process – while specifying firmer dampers and stiffer roll bars, and mated the 5. 2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 producing 533bhp and 398lb/ ft of torque to a paddle-shift 7-speed DSG transmission, driving a mechanical locking rear differential. All of this was enough to take the R8 V10 RSW from 0-62 in just 3. 8 seconds, with a top speed limited to 198mph.
The car:
This handsome dark gunmetal UK-supplied R8 V10 RWS has covered just 24, 000 miles, including a Top Gear Magazine shootout in Snowdonia with a Porsche 911GT3, in which Tom Ford rated it as the best R8 of them all. High praise indeed from an avowed R8 fan.
Visually, it differs from the standard R8s thanks to a matt-black grille, matt-black front and rear airflow openings and a gloss-black upper side blade. The quattro logo on the dashboard is replaced by a limited edition ‘1 of 999’ badge. Like all its brethren, it rides on black 19-inch wheels wrapped in 35-series rubber.
As you would expect, this standout example has had attention lavished on it and comes with a full service history.
Summary:
Shattering performance, rear-drive purity, with Audi’s superb build quality and luxurious R8 interior combine to make a missile that will cross continents with ease… or pop to the shops.
Location: West Midlands
Seller: Trade
Photos: Professional
