The new RS7 Sportback Performance is both lower and wider than the A7 it’s based on. Flared wheel arches add an extra 20mm each side while the front features an Audi Singleframe grille with the distinctive RS honeycomb structure, flanked by aggressive air intakes. At the rear, there’s a spoiler lip along the edge of the boot and a strip of lights linking the taillights. The dual oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system emerge beneath an RS-specific bumper and rear diffuser. 21-inch cast aluminium 10-spoke wheels come as standard, and 22-inch wheels are optional.
Features
The RS7 Sportback Performance features Matrix LED headlights with RS-specific animations. What’s more, Matrix LED technology automatically controls beams with laser light that has twice the reach of conventional LED high beams. Inside, the Audi Sound System features a 6-channel amplifier, 180 watt amplifying capacity and 10 loudspeakers including subwoofer, ideal for music lovers. The heated and ventilated Front RS Sports Seats combine luxury and athletic edge with perforated Valcona leather, honeycomb stitching and RS lettering. As well as this, four-zone deluxe automatic climate control gives the driver, front and rear passengers the ability to control the temperature in four different zones inside the car for optimum comfort.
Performance & Technology
Performance is the RS7 Sportback’s raison d’etre and is provided by the latest 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engine with mild hybrid technology. The latter can let the engine coast for up to 40 seconds with the engine shut off and can also recover power when braking. The powertrain delivers 600 metric horsepower and 800Nm of torque, for a 0-62mph acceleration time of 3.6 seconds. An eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive with self-locking centre differential distribute the power 40:60 front/rear in normal conditions, though the system can adjust the split in milliseconds according to prevailing levels of grip. Audi Drive Select and RS adaptive air suspension that’s 50 per cent stiffer than in the A7 come as standard, while Dynamic Ride Control and Audi dynamic steering are options. Inside, the RS7 has the MMI touch response system with two displays plus natural voice control. Driver information is conveyed via the RS-specific Audi Virtual Cockpit that can display g-force, shift light, oil temperature, tyre pressures and temperature as well as acceleration and lap times. A Wi-Fi hotspot and top of the range MMI navigation are also standard.
Safety
The RS7 Sportback Performance has more than 30 driver assistance systems, seamlessly co-ordinated by a central driver assistance controller. Adaptive cruise assist keeps the RS7 Sportback Performance the desired distance to the vehicle ahead and can make slight steering corrections to stay in lane, even through roadworks. Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front detect potential hazards all around the car and initiate preventive measures such as maximum braking, adjusting the seats or tightening the belts.
