Audi is going to make just 999 of its new rear-wheel-drive R8 V10 RWS or Rear Wheel Series. It will be available as both a coupe and a convertible, aka Spyder. It will be built by hand exclusively at the Böllinger Höfe R8 factory in Germany.

“The R8 V10 RWS is made for purists,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH. “A limited-edition special model for customers with an appreciation for essential driving enjoyment, the R8 V10 RWS is an absolutely exclusive offer. With its mid-mounted V10 engine and rear-wheel drive, it successfully brings the driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets.”

The chassis setup and control systems allow controlled drifts if the driver chooses “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system, and sets the Stabilization Control ESC to “Sport”. The ESC intervenes at the limit. The electromechanical power steering is completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling. The Audi R8 V10 RWS has black-finished 19-inch cast aluminum wheels in a five-spoke V-design, with 245/35 tires up front and 295/35 at the rear.

The mid-mounted 5.2 litre V10 engine produces 540 hp and delivers peak torque of 398.3 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. The R8 RWS coupe blasts from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. The soft top Spyder is just one-tenth of a second slower. The coupe can reach speeds of 320 km/h or almost 200 mph. The Spyder is just 2km/h slower.

The rear-wheel-drive coupe weights 1,5090 kilograms (3,505.3 lbs) which is 50 kilograms (110.2 lb) less than the R8 all-wheel drive coupe which has additional components including a propshaft, multi-plate clutch and center differential. The rear-wheel-drive Spyder is 40 kilograms (88.2 lb) lighter than the all-wheel-drive R8 Spyder V10 which weighs 1,680 kilograms (3,703.8 lb).

The R8 RWS is underscored by the matt black grille of the Singleframe and the matt black air apertures at the front and rear of the car. The upper sideblade of the coupe is finished in gloss black, the lower blade in the body color. Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, the coupe is available with an optional red film running over the front hood, roof and rear end.

Inside, the driver and passenger sit in sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. Bucket seats are available as an option. The dashboard bears an emblem “1 of 999,” indicating the limited number of units. The Audi R8 V10 RWS will be available for order in Germany and other European countries in the fall of 2017 with delivery in the beginning of 2018. The Coupé starts at 140,000 euros or $203,000 at today’s exchange rate. The open top Spyder starts at 153,000 euros or $222,000 Canadian.