The rear-wheel drive Audi R8, which was introduced a couple of years ago, has returned for the 2020MY, albeit with a few changes and a new moniker, as it’s now named the V10 RWD instead of the RWS. More importantly, though, it’s not a limited edition anymore, as it joins the R8 family as a production-series model.

Available in both body styles, Coupe and Spyder, it will launch in European markets early next year, priced from €144,000 ($159,875) and €157,000 ($174,310) in Germany, respectively.

The new R8 RWD sports a few visual updates on the outside that allow it to fly under the radar – well, as much as it can with that shape, anyway. These, according to Audi, include the front splitter, air inlets and air outlet grille at the rear that have become broader.

Video: Rear-Wheel Drive Audi R8 V10 RWS Pays A Visit To Jay Leno’s Garage

Moreover, the diffuser has moved upwards and incorporates two oval tailpipes, and the side blades further hint at the nature of the car: the top one is finished in glossy black, whereas the bottom blade is painted in the same color as the rest of the exterior. As standard, the front blade, side sill inserts and diffuser sport a glossy black look. Speaking of colors, the Kemora Gray joins the palette.

For an extra buck, you can get the logo in black and the Carbon Styling Package plus, for the Spyder only, the Extended Black Styling Package. As standard, it rides on black 19-inch forged wheels, but it can be had with 20-inch rims as well. Inside, Audi has wrapped the sports seats in leather and Alcantara and has added an ‘RWD’ logo on the passenger’s side of the dashboard, .

The 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 has an output identical to the R8 RWS limited edition: 540 PS (532 hp / 397 kW) and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque. It’s paired to a seven-speed S Tronic transmission and mechanical locking differential and rockets the Coupe to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and up to 320 km/h (199 mph), while the Spyder is 0.1 seconds slower and maxes out at 318 km/h (198 mph).

Tipping the scales at 1,595 kg (3,516 lbs), the Coupe is 65 kg (143 lbs) lighter than the AWD version, whereas the Spyder has shaved 55 kg (121 lbs) and weighs 1,695 kg (3,737 lbs). Controlled drifting is possible, according to Audi, if the driver activates the Sport mode in connection with the ESC.