Red Audi RS7 Sportback Performance side view

New Audi RS7 Sportback Performance

From £119,275

The new RS 7 Sportback Performance comes with more power, greater practicality and improved efficiency. For the first time, it houses five seats and a mild hybrid drivetrain.

Audi RS 7 Sportback Performance exterior design

Referred to as Audi's interpretation of a five-door high-performance coupé with a grand tourer design, the new RS 7 Sportback Performance is unmistakably descended from the A7 Sportback. The two share the bonnet, roof, front doors and tailgate in terms of design an appearance. The new RS 7 Sportback has a body that virtually hugs the road surface and its sizable wheels are shrouded by boldly flared arches that accentuate the Sport in the Audi Sport offering. You will be able to choose from standard or Vorsprung specifications.

The RS 7 Sportback Performance is 1,951 millimeters in width and features a broad, flat Singleframe with no contrasting border. A gloss black RS-specific radiator protective grille with a three-dimensional honeycomb structure is situated at the front and is undeniably Audi. Large front air inlets and vertical fins also contribute to the dramatic stance as well as the horizontal blade marking a distinctive downward edge to the front end and the RS matrix LED laser headlights come with dark bezels and dynamic indicators. Rear LED headlights also run through RS-specific 'animation' sequences when the vehicle is locked and unlocked.

Interior design

Taut surfacing and clearly defined contours are continued from the exterior, into the interior in the new RS 7 Sportback Performance. The upper MMI touch response display is embedded in mainly black architecture making it difficult to see where the display ends and the surroundings begin. Drivers can use the upper RS monitor display to call up an overview of drive system component temperatures, maximum g-forces and information regarding tyre pressures and temperatures.

In audi Virtual Cockpit, special rS displays provide details of tyre pressure, torque, performance, oil temperature, boost pressure, lap times, acceleration and g-forces. The shift light prompts drivers to upshift when the rev limit is reached.

Find comfort in the luxury perforated Valcona leather RS Sports seats that feature a honeycomb pattern and RS embossing as standard. The sought after flat-bottomed Audi steering wheel in fully perforated RS sport leather with new large RS aluminium shift paddles and multifunction buttons really make drivers feel connected to the car. The steering wheel also includes the RS MODE button, which drivers can use to enable the new Audi Drive Select RS1 and RS2 modes. This automatically opens the RS-specific displays in the Audi Virtual Cockpit. The RS and RS 7 logos adorn the steering wheel, seats and illuminated front door sill trims. Logo projectors on the front and rear doors beam the Audi Sport emblem onto the ground when the doors are open.

For the first time, the new RS 7 Sportback comes in a five-door offering with a three-seater rear bench. When the split seat backs are folded down, up to 1,390 litres of luggage space is made available and when five adults are on board, 535 litres remains at their disposal.

Driving the Audi RS7 Sportback Performance

It looks like a beauty but it drives like a beast. The 4.0 TFSI engine in the new Audi RS7 Sportback Performance produces 600PS and delivers 800Nm (590lb-ft) of torque within a broad range from 2,100 to 4,500 rpm. It can accomplish with ease 0 to 62mph in just 3.6 seconds and reach V-ax at an electronically limited 155mph. In conjunction with this, a suitably characterful and powerful V8 sound is produced and can be modulated via the standard Audi Drive Select dynamic handling system in the customisable RS1 and RS2 modes. You have the choice of a sporty or a balanced tone.

Thanks to its mild hybrid system (MHEV) with a 48-volt main on-board electrical system, the 4.0 TFSI combines maximum performance with high efficiency. The belt alternator starter can recover up to 12 kW of power and feed it into a lithium-ion battery as electricity. If the accelerator is released between 34mph and 99mph, the drive management will select one of two options, either recovering energy or coasting with the engine switched off depending on the driving situation and the settings in Audi drive select. The belt alternator starter will start the engine again once the accelerator is pressed.

The cylinder on demand (COD) system is another major attribute when it comes to efficiency. The power produced by the 4.0 TFSI is directed by the standard eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimised shift times and a new launch control function to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.