Suspension

The front and rear axles handle the longitudinal and transverse forces independently. They both use a five-link design. The linkages and the subframes are made largely of aluminum. The track width of the Audi RS 7 Sportback and Audi RS 7 Sportback performance is 1,668 millimeters (65.7 in) at the front and 1,650 millimeters (65.0 in) at the rear.

The standard RS adaptive air suspension with controlled damping has been given taut tuning specifically to suit the RS. Thanks to an air spring module with a 50 percent higher spring rate, the RS 7 Sportback can reach a top speed of 305 km/h (189.5 mph) for the first time with the dynamic package plus and with RS adaptive air suspension. The electronic chassis platform (ECP) acts as the central control mechanism that regulates the way in which the dampers work to suit the road condition, the driver’s personal driving style, and the Audi drive select mode currently enabled. The air suspension also includes automatic level control. In the normal position in auto, comfort, and efficiency modes, the body of the RS 7 Sportback and the RS 7 Sportback performance sit 10 millimeters (0.4 in) lower with both types of suspension than an Audi A7 Sportback with standard suspension. At speeds of 120 km/h (74.6 mph) and above, the air suspension lowers the body another 10 millimeters (0.4 in) in the auto, comfort, and efficiency modes. In dynamic mode, the body remains at this low ride height permanently. On poor road surfaces, the RS adaptive air suspension features a lift that can raise the RS 7 Sportback and RS 7 Sportback performance by 20 millimeters (0.8 in) at low speed.

The RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) is available as an performance-oriented alternative. It positions the body of the RS 7 Sportback and the RS 7 Sportback performance another 4 millimeters (0.2 in) lower than the RS sport air suspension. Dynamic Ride Control offers integrated pitch and roll stabilization consisting of steel springs and three-way adjustable dampers that counteract the movements of the vehicle body with no delay, without the use of electronics. When the vehicle is turning into and traveling around a bend, the damper response is altered so that the vehicle’s movements on the longitudinal axis (roll) and transverse axis (pitch) are significantly reduced.

The dampers on one side of the vehicle are connected to the dampers diagonally opposite to them via two separate oil lines, each of which has a central valve. The valves provide the necessary compensating volume via internal pistons with the gas-filled compartment behind them. When turning into and traveling around a corner, an oil flow is generated between the diagonally opposite dampers via the central valve, thus creating additional damping force.

When one side is cushioned, the damping characteristics are altered such that roll and pitch movements are eliminated almost entirely. As a result, this highly responsive damper system ensures the high-performance coupé has particularly good track stability when negotiating bends.

The RS 7 Sportback and RS 7 Sportback performance use next-generation dampers. Thanks to an integrated valve, they are lighter and more compact as well as more effective at reducing pitch and roll movements. In addition, they enable the damping forces to be spread even more widely between the comfort and dynamic modes as well as more precise suspension adjustment for high damping forces, which occur when cornering at speed. The result: In comfort mode, the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) ensures amazing ride comfort. In the dynamic program, it delivers extraordinary driving precision even when cornering at high speed. With the aid of Audi drive select, the driver can influence the damper characteristics and thereby personalize the driving experience.

Progressive steering with sporty and direct ratios is a standard feature of the RS 7 Sportback and the RS 7 Sportback performance. Its specially toothed gear rack varies the ratio as a function of the steering angle in a range from 12.6 : 1 to 15.8 : 1. As steering wheel turn increases, the ratio decreases, and steering becomes more direct. This reduces steering effort in urban traffic and when maneuvering; in tight curves the car is even more agile. Here, progressive steering provides for sporty handling. It also adjusts the power assistance level as a function of driving speed. It is increased at low speeds for easier maneuverability. The steering assistance can be varied between several modes with the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.

The sporty grand tourer can optionally be fitted with dynamic all-wheel steering. It combines direct, sporty steering response with unshakable stability, resolving an age-old conflict of objectives. At the front axle, dynamic steering features strain wave gearing with a ratio that changes depending on the situation. The combination of dynamic steering and rear-axle steering changes the overall steering ratio within a range of 9.5 to 17.0 – from very direct at low speeds to extremely stable at high speeds. This steering system also ensures that the rear wheels turn a few degrees in the same or opposite direction relative to the front wheels depending on the vehicle’s speed. At low speeds the rear wheels turn as much as five degrees in the opposite direction relative to the front wheels. This reduces the turning circle by up to 1 meter (3.3 ft). As a result, the RS 7 Sportback and the RS 7 Sportback performance negotiate bends with even more agility. At intermediate and high speeds above around 100 km/h (62.1 mph), the rear wheels follow the movement of the front wheels by up to two degrees. This gives the RS 7 Sportback improved stability, handling, and safety.

With the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, the driver can influence the characteristics of both steering variants as well as other aspects of the RS 7 Sportback the RS 7 Sportback performance.

There are six profiles available: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, and two customizable, RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes. Once these have been set to suit the driver’s personal preferences and stored, they can be enabled directly via the RS MODE button on the steering wheel. Consequently, the driver can easily switch between the RS1, RS2, and last selected drive modes without having to operate the MMI touch response again. Audi drive select influences the engine and transmission management, the power steering, the suspension, the dynamic all-wheel steering, the quattro sport differential, the engine sound, and the way in which the automatic air conditioning works. In RS2 mode, customers can also switch the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) to sport mode at the touch of a button and save this setting permanently. Pressing the button for longer than three seconds completely deactivates the electronic stability control.

But the experience of the driving modes in the performance models is much more unique. For example, the coasting 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 torque 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 increasing the emotionality. The updated software in the transmission control unit makes for faster shift times and a noticeably increased spread between the various driving modes.

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

The new RS 7 Sportback performance roll off the line on standard 21-inch aluminum cast wheels in a ten-spoke star design and 275/35 tires. For an even sportier appearance, 22-inch lightweight wheels are also available, alongside the standard 22-inch aluminum cast wheels and 285/30 tires– 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 lb) lighter than the 22-inch aluminum wheel on the current RS 6 Avant – this 20-kilogram (44.1 lb) weight reduction in unsprung masses improves the 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 brake path is up to two meters shorter with the new wheels when braking from 100 to 0 km/h (62.1 to 0 mph). On the front axle, a 10-piston braking system with fixed calipers ensures strong performance and high fade resistance.

The calipers of the standard RS brake system with internally ventilated perforated discs measuring 420 millimeters at the front and 370 millimeters at the rear are painted in black or, on upon request, in red. On the optional RS ceramic brake system, the calipers are finished in a choice of gray, red or blue. Their discs measure 440 millimeters at the front and 370 millimeters at the rear. The anthracite-gray ceramic discs are extremely fade-resistant, powerful, and durable. Air deflectors quickly dissipate heat and improve resistance to fade. Compared with its steel counterpart, the RS ceramic brake system weighs 34 kilograms less, thus reducing unsprung masses.

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.