The Audi RS7 Performance Powers Up
A throwback track monster.
Like many automotive brands of late, Audi is focusing many of its resources on all-out electrification. The brand has even recently discontinued a pair of its longstanding, gas-powered favourites, the TT and the R8. But there’s still room in the fleet for some old-school muscle and one model in particular—the RS7 Performance—has more than just muscle going for it.
Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V-8 engine, it boasts a whopping 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque . These figures represent a significant increase over the previous versions, which debuted for the 2020 model year. Specifically, horsepower is up by 30 and torque by 37 markers, which Audi suggests has enabled faster acceleration off the line. The sprint from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour is reported to take less than 3.5 seconds with launch control engaged, which is verifiable supercar territory.
A recent test of the RS7 Performance on public roads provided no opportunity to verify such claims. But it did give the chance to confirm that this Audi is a poster child for the incremental improvement movement.
The mighty twin-turbo V-8 is linked to an eight speed automatic transmission and the legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system. The engine is also aided and abetted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system that helps create increased responsiveness and efficiency, a fantastic one-two punch in this day and age.
In terms of appearance, the RS7 Performance has a sleek silhouette that appears to have mainlined a raw protein diet. It’s hard to believe the Audi A7 first appeared way back in 2010. At the time, it was part of the new wave of four-door coupes, which was a then-fresh take on the more mundane sedan. Fourteen years later, the shape remains handsome and compelling, even more so in RS7 guise, with its more muscular front grill, oversized air inlets and ferocious 21- or 22-inch wheels.
Inside, the car is a relatively rare commodity for a high-performance vehicle—it’s luxury and it requires little to no compromise from the driver. There’s a decent amount of room for five passengers in total and a fair amount of space in the cargo area underneath that sleek rear hatch. The Audi virtual cockpit employs high-definition graphics (so it’s beautiful to look at), and the user interface takes little time to master (so it’s intuitive compared to most on the market). A white background design makes for quick legibility under all light conditions, and. the standard head-up display adds to the usability quotient: it’s easily discernible, with information and graphics that are logically presented.
There are countless interior options to choose from. One that must be considered is the RS design package. This grouping, which is available in either a blue or red theme, includes an Alcantara steering wheel, special seats, seatbelts, and trim pieces, with contrast coloured stitching throughout. It’s dynamite.
There may come a time, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, when cars like the Audi RS7 Performance will accelerate off into the sunset forever.
