Road Test: Audi RS7 Sportback

Power and prestige have been the qualities of Germany’s RS, M and AMG nameplates for some decades. Every successive generation’s arrival is marked by adulation for performance and dynamics beyond expectation, and despite a growing environmental consciousness that’s signalled the death knell of large capacity, naturally aspirated and sonorous engines, technology continues to be the ultimate driving force.

The family of Audi A7 Sportback models is arguably the most discernible four-dour on offer from Ingolstadt. The styling is unique by virtue of its sloping rear hatch, broad shoulders and slab-sided head- and tail lights. It’s a pretty car. It also has a good deal of road presence, thanks to its sheer size that’s set in a low and wide stance. Opt for the 4.0-litre V8 FSI or even the 3.0-litre V6 TDI Bi-Turbo, and the A7 Sportback represents ‘an iron fist in a velvet glove’. Combine the expertise of the engineers at Quattro GmbH and their mantra of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, however, and you get the RS7; a heavy hitter.

The RS7 Sportback is dripping with technology. The body is made from a lightweight combination of steel and aluminium (although it’s not part of the TT, A8 or R8 family with an Audi Space Frame). The suspension components and 21-inch wheels are aluminium too, while wave-form brake discs further reduce unsprung mass. The 4.0 TFSI V8 could be a case-study for efficiency, with a compact design that seats the turbos between the two cylinder banks, as well as engine stop/start and a ‘cylinder on demand’ system that shuts off 4 of the 8 cylinders when the engine is not under load. The Quattro all-wheel drive system is combined with torque vectoring for an abundance of grip, while the Dynamic Shift Program that controls the 8-speed automatic transmission, can access route data from the car’s satellite navigation system to pre-emptively include corners in its shifting strategy and avoid unnecessary gear changing.

The RS7′s comfort and convenience features bring yet more sophistication to the party. Access to the infotainment system is via 7-inch colour display with rotary dial and touch pad interfaces. The car’s park distance control is augmented by a rearview camera, while ‘attention assist’ analyses and records driving behaviour using a range of sensors and warns against fatigue should the values stray too far from the recorded benchmark. Available options include a night vision camera, head-up display, adaptive cruise control, the choice of a Bose or Bang & Olufsen sound system, automated self-park assist for perpendicular and parallel parking spaces, and the list goes on. All told, a fully spec’d RS7 Sportback will add a further 25% to the basic retail price, but we all know you’ve got to roll with life’s punches.

The interior of the A7 Sportback isn’t quite as stately as the Audi A8, but it does feel a little more special than most other Audis; a touch more energetic, but no less refined. The RS7 therefore adds an appropriate sense of dynamism to the ambience with several unique touches. The instrument dials are a white on black affair with red needles marking the pace. RS badges are found on the tachometer, flat-bottomed steering wheel, illuminated door entry sills and MMI display. Carbon fibre inlays with a gloss finish are standard kit and look superb. The RS sport seats are comfortable, form hugging, and draw further attention with honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar silver. There is no shortage of passenger space and rear occupants also enjoy sculptured seats for added support in the RS. Luggage capacity ranges from 535 to 1 390-litres depending on the position of the rear seat backs.

From behind the wheel, the RS7 Sportback feels as imposing as it looks and it makes no apologies for its size and weight. The Audi Drive Select system offers a multitude of drivetrain preferences to be chosen via the ‘Individual’ setting, with comfort, auto and dynamic options for each. It’s good to see that unlike the Audi RS 4 Avant, the Drive Select system in the RS7 allows individual control of the exhaust flaps, meaning you can enjoy the programmed snap, crackle and pop of the exhausts even while down shifting at sedate speeds.

It will come as no surprise to hear that the RS7 is fast. If you’ve had a couple of double espressos at your favourite coffee bar, you and the RS7 will get along well in your ‘dynamic modes’ around town, otherwise the car’s throttle is too responsive and snappy. Placing the drivetrain in comfort mode will remedy this, but diplomatic use of the throttle is necessary to avoid constantly tripping over permanently slower traffic. In this setting the suspension is more willing to absorb the bumps, considering the sidewalls are just 30% of the 275 section tyre at each corner, but travelling in the RS7 is no magic carpet ride by executive saloon standards.

‘RennSport’ is the name of the game, however, and so after a stressful week of executive duties, and in the process an average fuel consumption of 14 l/100km in our case, what better way to achieve some well-earned escapism than with an early Saturday morning blast through the countryside. There is one proviso to this though, the Dynamic Package Plus. It adds Dynamic Ride Control, carbon ceramic brakes and speed limit raised to 305 km/h.

The 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 is hugely powerful and responsive. 700 Nm of peak torque is available from just 1 750 r/min and it’s a wave that can be ridden for the next 3 750 r/min. Select the next ratio in the 8-speed tiptronic transmission and the speedo will continue to move almost as swiftly as the rev counter along side. The speed can become dizzying in a matter of seconds. Indeed, 0 – 100 km/h takes a claimed 3.9 and it’s subtle, but Audi’s press sheet reads “speed limit system to 305 km/h” rather than ‘top speed’, which implies terminal velocity might still be some way down the road.

It’s a safe car too when putting the power down. The Quattro all-wheel drive system, sport differential, torque vectoring, variable ratio steering and large 21-inch tyres, all make sure the RS7′s power goes where pointed. The RS7 is so sure-footed in fact, that on a wet and slightly off-camber road, the accelerator pedal could be pegged to the floor board, with just one hand on wheel to guide the snarling V8′s thrust.

When it comes to the corners, the hydraulically linked suspension does a better job than may be expected of preventing excessive body roll in a car just shy of 2-tonnes. The RS7′s weight is always apparent and, while glued to the road once settled, changes of direction require an element of discretion when pushing on. That said, the RS7 flatters its driver and is capable of placing vast amounts of tarmac in the rear view mirror without breaking a sweat.

With so much weight, power and traction, the RS7 gains momentum very easily. The carbon ceramic brakes are an essential option in our book and, even with 6-piston callipers biting 420 mm discs in front and a 4-piston, 370 mm combination at the rear, the brakes can start to feel fatigued after thundering unabated through mountain passes.

Between its chief four-door super coupe competitors, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG and BMW M6 Gran Coupe, the RS7 Sportback delivers a more reassuring driving experience and therefore allows its driver to access more power, more of the time. The Audi certainly isn’t as deft and communicative as its Porsche Panamera Turbo all-wheel drive contemporary, but it’s also a lot more affordable.

What we like…

• Aggressive front-end and substantial road presence.
• Silky smooth, responsive and efficient V8 engine.
• An interior that feels special.

What we would like…

• Carbon-fibre ceramic brake system as standard.
• Not much else. It’s a fast and sure-footed Audi RS. Check the options boxes to suit your taste.

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