Motoring News: Full bodied style in new Audi

THE NEW Audi RS 7 Sportback is on sale now priced from £97,050. It joins the RS 6 Avant in the brand’s range of powerful executive vehicles, featuring a new wider body and a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine with a mild-hybrid system.

Like the previous RS 7, the new car takes the basic five-door A7 Sportback and adds some extra muscle in both its styling and power courtesy of the brand’s high-performance and racing division, Audi Sport.

Buyers can choose from four trim-levels, including a base-model and three further specifications, Carbon Black, Vorsprung and Launch Edition. Both the Carbon Black and Vorsprung models receive black exterior trim. The former specification gets a set of black 22-inch alloys, while the flagship Vorsprung model features 22-inch matte titanium alloys, a panoramic glass sunroof and a standard-fit sports exhaust system, finished with trademark oval exhaust tips.

The limited-edition Audi RS 7 Sportback Launch Edition is fitted with a set of 22-inch alloy wheels, ceramic brake discs, red brake calipers and black exterior trim. Its cabin also receives a premium Bang & Olufsen surround sound system, while its speed limiter is reconfigured to raise the car’s top speed from 155mph to 174mph.

Under the bonnet, the RS 7 uses the same engine fitted to the RS 6 – a new 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8. It packs 592bhp and maximum torque stands at 800Nm between 2100 to 4500rpm, with power fed through an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

As standard, the RS 7 is limited to 155mph but if the ‘Dynamic Package’ option box is ticked, top speed is raised to 174mph and to 189mph if the ‘Dynamic Package Plus’ is selected.

There’s also a mild-hybrid set-up; a 48-volt electrical system is mated to a belt alternator starter and a lithium-ion battery and, depending on which driving mode is selected, the car will either coast or recover energy.

As for the interior, Audi has fitted a pair of leather sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and buyers get the choice of two design packages to add some colour. Two new driving modes, called RS1 and RS2, allow the drivers to create two configurable modes that can be accessed at the touch of a button. 

There are also unique RS displays for the Virtual Cockpit and infotainment screens, and new Audi Sport puddle lamps.