Dynamic power meets expressive design: the RS 7 Sportback performance

More powerful and faster than any RS 7 to date, the new Audi RS 7 Sportback performance is bursting with extras that sharpen the models’ appearance and make for a more emotive driving experience. The potent 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine now has an engine power of 463 kW (630 PS) and a maximum torque of 850 Nm.

At Audi, “performance” means more power. Larger turbochargers and an increase in boost pressure from 2.4 to 2.6 bar in the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine of the RS 7 Sportback performance allow an increase of 30 PS in engine power and 50 Nm more torque compared to the base version. This means total power rises from 441 kW (600 PS) to 463 kW (630 PS) and maximum torque rises from 800 to 850 Nm (590 to 627 lb-ft). The performance model sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.1 mph) in 3.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the RS 7 base version.

Less is sometimes more: Reduced insulation between the engine compartment, the interior, and the rear of the vehicle ensures the RS 7 Sportback performance will thrill customers with an exciting, next-level sound experience – the reduction also makes the car eight kilograms (17.6 lbs) lighter. The RS 7 Sportback performance has a total unladen weight of 2,065 kg (4,552.5 lbs).

For heightened driving dynamics: new self-locking center differential

Power from the 4.0 TFSI engine flows through a standard eight-speed tiptronic with faster shifting times to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. The mechanical center differential distributes engine power to the rear axle at ratio of 40 : 60, and if slippage occurs, more torque is automatically applied to the axle with better traction – up to 70 percent can flow to the front axle and up to 85 percent to the rear axle. The self-locking center differential is lighter and more compact, improving driving dynamics as well as offering noticeably more precise cornering which makes for less understeer at the handling limits. As an added improvement, the steering response is more exact with customers benefitting from a more agile driving experience overall.

Exclusive and performing: 22-inch wheels with high-performance tires

The new RS 7 Sportback performance rides on standard 21-inch aluminum cast wheels in a ten-spoke star design and 275/35 tires. Besides 22-inch cast aluminum wheels, 22-inch lightweight wheels are also available for an even sportier look – in burnished glossy metallic black, matte gray, matte black, or matte neodymium gold. Inspired by motorsport, the airy 5-Y spoke design aids brake cooling and the lighter rims are manufactured in a high-tech forging-milling process. The new lightweight wheel is around five kilograms (11 lbs) lighter than the 22-inch aluminum wheel on the current RS 7 Sportback – this 20-kilogram (44 lbs) weight reduction in unsprung mass improves throttle response.

New high-performance Continental “Sport Contact 7” 285/30 tires, which are part of the new lightweight wheel, play a key role in reducing weight. The tires offer consistently better grip on both dry and wet roads and reduce understeering when cornering at speed, making for overall more precise handling across the entire speed range. Additionally, the stopping distance is up to two meters shorter with the new wheels when braking from 100 to 0 km/h (62.1 to 0 mph).

The Audi drive select dynamic handling system lets the driver control the vehicle’s character. Six profiles are available: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, as well as two customizable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes.

Each of the different driving modes in the performance models is a much more unique experience. For example, the gliding mode now only activates automatically in the efficiency profile, which means in speed ranges up to 160 km/h (99.4 mph), it switches off the combustion engine and coasts with no fuel consumption or drag from the engine. Additionally, fine-tuning to the engine control unit software makes for tighter load changes in S mode when the dynamic drive select mode or driving mode S is active, further heightening driving emotion. The updated software in the transmission control unit makes for faster shifting times and a noticeably increased contrast between the various driving modes.

RS Dynamic Package as standard

The RS Dynamic Package is standard equipment in the RS 7 performance model. This includes the increase in top speed to 280 km/h (174 mph), dynamic all-wheel steering (the RS-specific software update helps the driver with active steering corrections on the front and rear axles), and the quattro sport differential on the rear axle.

The RS Dynamics Package plus is also available as an option, which in addition to the RS Dynamics Package, raises the top speed to 305 km/h (189.5 mph) and includes an RS ceramic brake system. Customers can order the calipers in gray, red, or blue and discs measure 440 mm (17.3 in) at the front and 370 mm (14.6 in) at the rear. The RS ceramic brake system weights a total of approx. 34 kg (75.0 lbs) less than its steel counterpart for a reduction of the unsprung mass.

For a grand entrance: fresh exterior colors and styling packages

The new RS 7 Sportback performance is available in a total of 16 exterior colors – for the first time, metallic and matte Ascari Blue and matte Dew Silver are included. The performance models stand out with standard RS exterior components in matte gray, including the exterior mirrors, the front spoiler, the front side flaps, the side sill inserts, the roof rails, and the trim on the side windows and rear diffuser. A matte carbon/black styling package is also an option, in which the roof rails and trim on the side windows are black. The Audi rings and model badge are available in the customer’s choice of chrome or black.

Out of the blue: new interior accents and features

In the interior, the lineup of familiar RS design packages in gray and red has been expanded to include blue. The steering wheel rim in Alcantra black features contrasting stitching in Mercato blue, whilst the floor mats, the side of the center console, and the selector lever cuff also come with blue contrasting stitching. The seat belts are full-surface ocean blue with the decorative inlays in a carbon twill structure with optional blue accents. The selector lever knob and the side of the center console are made with Dinamica microfiber, which consists of around 45 percent recycled PET fibers and the sports seats feature high-quality Valcona leather upholstery perforated with honeycomb stitching with contrasting stitching in Mercato blue. Another distinguishing feature is an entrance LED in the front doors that projects the lettering “RS performance” onto the ground next to the car.

Customers can order RS design packages in the three available color variants with optional additional features: decorative inlays, door armrests, and center armrest in Dinamica microfiber. An added benefit of this equipment variant is the seat center panel with a gray, red, or blue inlay, while the customer’s chosen color shows through in the perforated sports seats and the seat backs feature RS embossing in matching colors.

Customers can use the new “Audi Exclusive Customizer” visualization tool to design their vehicles in thousands of individual combinations and thus create their own personal special edition. They can choose from a wide range of individual paint finishes as well as leather and stitching colors; the tool uses a 3D model to visualize the customization process. Check out the configurator here.

The displays of the standard 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus offer new features including a blinking shift indicator in manual transmission mode, which changes the RPM display from green to yellow to red, blinking in a manner akin to that used in motorsport, to indicate the optimal time to change gears. Then there is Launch Control, which fully exploits the acceleration potential of the RS 7 Sportback performance by signaling the ideal moment to accelerate off the line, with new traffic light icons.

All terms marked in the text are explained in detail in the technology lexicon at www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/technology-lexicon.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.