Although still powered by the same 560-hp 4.0-liter turbo V8 engine, the 2016
RS 7 has received an enhanced design, new LED headlights and more infotainment
features.
"The Audi RS 7 Sportback confirms the reputation of the RS models as the
superior, top athletes of our brand," states Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member
of the Board of Management for Technical Development of AUDI AG. "The
combination of a powerful four-liter V8 engine with cylinder on demand
technology, quattro drive and intelligent lightweight design makes the RS 7
Sportback an outstanding piece of sports equipment for any fan of dynamic and
yet efficient driving."
Even at first glance, the Audi RS 7 Sportback reveals its dynamic character -
the long engine hood, the sporty and flowing C-pillars and the sharply sloping
rear end form an aesthetic overall impression. New design details add striking
touches. They include the Singleframe grille with the black honeycomb typical of
RS models, with the corners now even sharper and more distinctive. Three
optional packages - matt aluminum, gloss black and carbon - make the look of the
RS 7 Sportback even more distinctive. The central front air inlet bears the
quattro lettering. Slight modifications have also been made to the bumper, with
its distinctive air inlets.
The headlights, also adapted to the new Singleframe, come with LED technology as
a standard feature. On request, Audi provides the headlights with the innovative
Matrix LED technology, available exclusively on the RS 7 Sportback with
additionally darkened trims. This offer also includes turn signals with dynamic
display at the front. At the rear they are generally standard. The tail lights
also have a new interior design. New to the paint finishes are the colors Floret
Silver, metallic; Glacier White, metallic; Mythos Black, metallic and Sepang
Blue, pearl effect.
The revised Audi RS 7 Sportback is fitted with 20-inch forged lightweight alloy
wheels as a standard feature; 21-inch cast aluminum wheels in three color
versions are optionally available. The four internally ventilated brake disks
have a weight-saving wave design; alternatively Audi installs carbon
fiber-ceramic disks. Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) has a Sport mode
that can be deactivated altogether if need be.
In the elegant black interior, dominated by the RS sport seats, the designers
have discreetly revised the instrument cluster: the air outlet controls of the
vent nozzles, the shift paddles behind the steering wheel and the quattro emblem
on the instrument panel. The standard MMI navigation plus with MMI touch now
uses the modular infotainment platform of the latest generation; its highlight
is an efficient graphics processor from Audi's partner, Nvidia.
In Germany, the revised Audi RS 7 will be available from the 3rd quarter at a
base price of 113,300 EUR. Its pricing and availability in the U.S. market is
not yet known, but it's expected to arrive sometime next year as a 2016 model.
Turbocharged V8 Engine
The 4.0-liter turbo engine in the revised Audi RS 7 Sportback still provides 560
hp (412 lb-ft), with a constant 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque at engine speeds
between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm. The engine catapults the five-door coupé from 0 to
60 mph in 3.7 seconds while the 155 mph top speed can be raised to either 174
mph or 190 mph in combination with an optional 'Dynamic' package.
An eight-speed tiptronic transmission tuned for sporty performance, with a tall
eight gear, directs the power of the eight-cylinder engine to the quattro
permanent all-wheel drive. On request, Audi will combine quattro all-wheel drive
with the optional sport differential on the rear axle.
The RS adaptive air suspension, together with adaptive damping, standard on the
RS 7 Sportback, lowers the body by 0.8 in (20 millimeters); its control is
incorporated in the Audi drive select driving dynamics system. Audi offers the
tauter RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) as an
alternative. A further option is dynamic steering, with its continuously
variable steering ratio.
