Audi RS7 Sportback

The Audi RS7 is the structural brother of the Audi RS6 C8 “packaged” but in a completely different body. The RS7 is a five-door coupe (as is the Audi RS5 Sportback) that may not fully match the practicality of a classic station wagon, but it still offers completely sufficient passenger space and a substantial trunk. It’s a direct design for models such as the BMW M8 Competition and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S.

All three are united by the use of V8 units, in Audi’s case a twin-turbocharged 4L, boosted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The engine is also known from the Audi RSQ8, where it also mates with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hallmark of Audi products is, of course, Quattro all-wheel drive. Depending on the selected driving mode and prevailing weather conditions, 70% of power can be redirected to the front axle, or up to 85% to the rear. During standard driving, power distribution is 40:60 providing excellent grip and safety. The Ingolstadt-based manufacturer has once again proven how well it can combine the car’s sporty characteristics with its everyday usability. The car can change beyond recognition depending on the selected driving mode, offering a high level of comfort and luxury or a truly sporty experience on a twisty road with a bubbling V8.

The RS7, of course, does not differ from the standard Audi A7 only in technical matters. It’s 40mm wider than the “basic” model (which is especially evident from the massive ribbing on the fenders). The rear, modified bumper with diffuser is adorned with huge exhaust tips, by which we can easily realize that we are not dealing with a civilian version. The only common elements of the two designs are the hood, roof, front doors and trunk lid. Inside, you’ll find “RS” emblems, a flattened steering wheel and a “Performance” menu in the virtual cockpit. A single button on the steering wheel “RS Mode” will change the current driving mode.

The blue paint is perfectly complemented by Carbon Black 22-inch wheels and a black package. Excellent ride comfort, despite the large rim size, will be sustained by the sporty adaptive air suspension. Driving our unit will be enhanced by the optional Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System sound system and, above all, the sound of the V8 exhaust, the intensity of which can be adjusted depending on the selected driving mode. When driving more dynamically in Dynamic mode, it’s definitely worth opening the panoramic glass roof to enjoy the sound of the 4-liter unit even more. Adaptive cruise control will come in handy on longer trips, and 360-degree cameras will help you maneuver in tight spots and when parking. At night, optional HD Matrix LED headlights will illuminate the road. Four-zone air conditioning, in turn, will allow each passenger to choose a convenient temperature. The interior is made very solidly, as the German manufacturer has managed to get us used to.

Choosing between the Audi RS6 and Audi RS7 is not easy. The coupe version enjoys a muscular yet elegant silhouette and an exceptionally shapely rear of the car. This is a dilemma from the group of those pleasant ones, mainly based on visual sensations. What is certain is that both the RS6 and RS7 will provide plenty of driving pleasure, but they will also perform better than perfectly in “daily” form!