Automotive

Audi RS7 and RS6 get more power, new Performance badge

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Audi's quick cars set themselves apart from other German marques with their quattro all-wheel drive system
Rear seat passengers get bucket-style seats in the RS6
The RS7 is strictly a four seater
Audi's interiors are always beautifully put together, and the RS7 is no exception
Alcantara is everywhere in the RS7's interior, but styling hasn't changed much compared to the standard car
Audi's interiors are always beautifully put together, and the RS7 is no exception
Under the hood is where most of Audi's changes have been made, including an extra 33 kW (55 hp) and 50 Nm of extra torque on overboost
21 inch wheels are one of the few design tweaks that set the Performance cars apart from a regular RS
The Sportback will hit 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds
Audi's all-wheel drive system is standard on both cars
Audi's quick cars set themselves apart from other German marques with their quattro all-wheel drive system
If you're keen to take these cars to the track, Audi will sell you carbon ceramic brakes
Suspension is 20 mm lower on the Performance cars than on regular cars
The RS7 looks menacing from the front
Just like the RS7, the RS6's interior features contrast stitching
Performance cars get 21 inch wheels to set them apart
As well as offering up massive pace, the RS6 is massive inside
The RS6 is marginally slower than the RS7 because of its bigger, more practical rear end
View gallery - 17 images

the world of high-end super-sedans, there's always room for more power. The quest to outdo the rest of the crowd is why BMW felt the need to boost its M5 with the 30 Jahre Edition, or why Mercedes' AMG cars are all available in more powerful "S" designations. It's also why Audi has felt the need to make its RS6 and RS7 faster, by introducing a more powerful "Performance" line.

In the transition from regular RS car to full-fledged members of the Performance line, the RS6 and RS7's twin-turbo V8 has gained an extra 33 kW (55 hp) and 50 Nm of extra torque on overboost, enough to send it from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds.

Not only is that 0.2 seconds faster than the regular RS models they're based on, it's faster than the new turbocharged Porsche 911 Carrera can manage, and the latter won't seat five people or hold their luggage.

As well as offering up massive pace, the RS6 is massive inside

The acceleration doesn't relent at 100 km/h either, with the RS Performance cars able to top 200 km/h (124 mph) in just 12.1 seconds, an improvement of 1.4 seconds over the regular car. Keep your foot down and a derestricted RS6 will hit 280 km/h (174 mph), while the sleeker RS7 will reach 305 km/h (189 mph).

Although they're more powerful than regular RS cars, the RS6 and 7 sip the same amount of fuel, with the wagon drinking 9.6 l/100 km (24.5 mpg) and the RS7 Sportback using 9.5 l/100 km (24.6 mpg) on the combined cycle test. This is thanks, in part at least, to a cylinder deactivation system that lets the RS' V8 run as a frugal four cylinder under light loads.

Audi's quick cars set themselves apart from the other Germans with their quattro all-wheel drive system, and the RS6 and RS7 performance are no different. The system defaults to a 60/40 rear/front power split, but if owners tick the box for the rear differential it can also shuffle power between the rear wheels to make sure the wheel with the most grip gets the most power.

Helping to keep all that power under control is a suspension setup that's 20 mm (0.8 in) lower than on regular RS cars, while owners can spec a "sport plus" system with three-mode adjustable dampers if they're keen for a sportier ride.

The Sportback will hit 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds

As well as running with a traditional Audi all-wheel drive system, the RS6 and RS7 Performance cars have been subjected to a set of typically subtle styling tweaks, including 21 inch wheels and upgrades to Alcantara kneepads and contrast stitching.

So, how much will these fast family haulers set you back? The RS6 Avant is priced at €117,000 (about US$130,000), while RS7 buyers will have to fork out €121,700 ($135,500).

Source: Audi

View gallery - 17 images
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4 comments
hdm
hmmmm. rs6 looks great. i avant.
Stephen N Russell
produce some 2 rent.
MQ
We all need more power.
AUDI isn't stupid, they could have released the increased power across the line at the same old price (Adjusted for Deflation), but of course, there is a demographic which will pay a significant premium for the exclusivity. (They want a road-car-ready-to-race, but don't like the privations of a true race-car (which will cost a whole lot more for something properly engineered to race) hence the "luxury" items).
Good on AUDI for their capitalist insights, hey, if the Rich (at heart) didn't spend their money on these, we wouldn't be able to buy them at 1/4 the original price after a few years.
PS. Don't think that the economy of the "RS 6 Avant", and the "RS 6 Avant Performance" will be anything like the sticker value at true Autobahn-storming-speeds, VW have shown that there is a cost for performance.
Envious, much, nah.
Otto De Steene
Lets go for it Audi! More power, more pollution!