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AUDI turns up the dial on its hero five-door performance hatch to nudge the magic 600hp number.
WHAT IS IT? Audi’s flagship performance five-door, the king of four rings this side of the Audi R8 supercar.
WHY WE’RE DRIVING IT Audi has produced a performance version with more power for its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, thanks to more boost and greater revs, as well as a few cosmetic touches to let the inner circle know you’re in an even faster Audi RS7.
That torque is seemingly enough to pull an aircraft carrier and makes the RS7 feel utterly unstoppable. Even at slow speeds, that ostinato rumble constantly reminds you that you’re in something out of the ordinary. From the low, comfortable driving position in those excellently bolstered leather seats, changes in the road surface are sent through your feet via those pedals and your hands via the solid, well-shaped perforated leather steering wheel.
On the straight and narrow, where the passing capability of the RS7 is utterly addictive, the Dynamic Package Plus is capable enough scare corners straight. A $26K option, it brings dynamic steering, RS sports suspension and Dynamic Ride Control (air suspension), with 20-inch ceramic brakes inside no-cost option 21-inch alloys. It adds up to a surprisingly supple ride for such a hard-nosed performance car, easily softening hard edges and potholes in Comfort mode.
All of this from a car has a space shuttle-like build quality and design nous in and out to belie its dated origins. Sadly, it comes with a $17k price rise, but the RS7 Performance can wear a tuxedo and mind its Ps and Qs, yet can rock out in the performance mosh pit like its 1999. It’s a niche within a niche, a car that not only has a stunning set of numbers, but both feels – and makes its driver feel – that little bit special.
Want to know if your neighbour has the new Performance version of the RS7? In addition to the usual RS visuals, including chunkier bumpers, silver mirror caps and honeycomb grille, the Performance RS7 has a matt-titanium detailing for the grille, air inlets and window strips, as well as the rear diffuser and those monster exhaust outlets. You can also have an RS6 Performance, with the same cosmetic and mechanical upgrades as the RS7, for $245,400 and matching performance numbers.
SPECS Model: Audi RS7 Sportback Performance Engine: 3993cc V8, dohc, 32v, twin-turbo Power: 445kW@6800rpm Torque: 750Nm@1750-6000rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Weight: 1923kg 0-100km/h: 3.7sec (claimed) Fuel economy: 9.6L/100km Price: $258,000 On sale: Now
