Complete performance

They are two of the biggest hitters in the impressive Audi Sport lineup, but now the RS 6 Avant and its high-performance sibling the RS 7 Sportback, have been taken to even greater extremes with the aptly named performance models. Arriving in Australia in the coming weeks the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance represent the ultimate evolution of both of these iconic models – faster and more powerful than anything that has worn their respective badges before.

Audi Australia has confirmed pricing and specification for these extraordinary models which will bring not only incredible new levels of performance and handling, but also new exterior and interior highlights and additional packages.

Starting from $241,500* for the RS 6 Avant performance and $248,500* for the RS 7 Sportback performance, these monsters feature the most powerful V8 engine ever offered by Audi. With a bigger turbocharger and increase in boost pressure from 2.4 to 2.6 bar, as well as updated engine management software, the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 powerplant delivers a significant 22kW more power and 50Nm of additional torque over the existing model. In the real world, that translates to a massive 463kW and 850Nm of torque to deliver a blistering 3.4 second 0 to 100km/h time – 0.2 seconds faster than before – with a top speed of 280km/h.

Handling has always been a feature of these extraordinary models and that too has been sharpened, with faster shifting from the eight-speed tiptronic and a new, lighter self-locking differential improving driving dynamics further. Power goes to the road through all four wheels of course with quattro permanent all-wheel drive with the standard 40:60 front rear bias, but drive torque of up to 70 percent can be sent to the front wheels and up to 85 percent to the rear in case of slippage for maximum power down.

Both dynamic and all-wheel steering are standard equipment, as is the adaptive air suspension which is electrically controlled, with variable damping on all four wheels. Stopping power comes from the RS high-performance braking system with brake callipers finished in red, while the RS sport exhaust system in black provides the perfect accompanying soundtrack.

Standard equipment across the board is impressive and perfectly in keeping with the status of these high-performance, luxury grand tourers. From HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light, to the Audi virtual cockpit, head-up display, Audi smartphone interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Audi phone box light, ambient light package with 30 colours, full Audi connect plus services, four-zone climate control, air quality package and a 705 watt B&O 3D sound system with 16 speakers – to name just some of the features, it is a comprehensive offering.

Passenger comfort as always is a priority, with RS sport seats finished in Valcona leather with RS embossing and centre panels in perforated leather with the famed RS honeycomb pattern. Front seats are ventilated, heated and electrically adjustable with lumbar support and memory on the driver’s seat. The interior also features a full leather package which sees the centre console, dashboard, door sills and armrests finished in fine Nappa leather upholstery with contrasting stitching, while the flat-bottom multi-function RS steering wheel is likewise trimmed in leather and features heating, shift paddles and hands-on detection.

The new performance models also sport new 22-inch 5-Y-spoke Audi Sport wheels which improve brake cooling and are five kilograms lighter per wheel than the current wheels thanks to a special forging and milling process. In keeping with the increased performance, these wheels are paired exclusively with new specially developed ultra high performance Continental Sport Contact 7 tyres measuring 285/30 that exceed the previous tyres capabilities in almost all areas. The new wheels are finished in a gloss black finish, but customers will be able to opt for a matt black, matt grey or a matt neodymium gold finish at no cost. 

Even more weight has been trimmed elsewhere on these models with reduced insulating material in the engine compartment and the interior resulting in another eight kilogram weight reduction, which has the added bonus of improving the engine sound to occupants and adding to the whole experience.

The Audi drive select dynamic handling system letting the driver control the vehicle’s dynamic character to perfectly suit the conditions with six profiles available – efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic and the customisable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes. 

Even these individual drive modes have received attention in the performance models. The coasting mode, for example, now only activates automatically in the efficiency profile, which means in speed ranges up to 160 km/h, it switches off the engine and coasts with no fuel consumption or drag torque from the engine. Additionally, fine-tuning to the engine control unit software makes for tighter load changes in S mode when the ‘dynamic’ drive select mode or driving mode S is active. The updated software in the transmission control unit makes for faster shifting times as well as a noticeably increased spread between the various driving modes. It all makes for an enthralling package that just begs to be unleashed in the right environment.

For customers looking to further customise these already impressive models, a number of additional packages will be offered covering both exterior and interior features.

Two new exterior packages can be optioned, with the first being a matt grey exterior styling package that replaces the matt aluminium exterior highlights from the non-performance model, and a matt carbon black package that features several exterior carbon highlights. The exterior items altered in each package include the front spoiler, front side flaps, side sill inserts, rear diffuser insert, trim strips on the side windows, exterior mirror housings, roof rails (RS 6 Avant only), and Audi rings and exterior badging, depending on which styling package is selected.

In the interior, the familiar RS design packages in grey and red have been expanded to include the colour blue. The steering wheel in Alcantara black features contrasting stitching in Mercato blue, whilst the floor mats, the side of the centre console, and the selector lever cuff also come with blue contrasting stitching. The front and outer rear seat belts are full-surface Ocean blue, while the selector lever knob and the side of the centre console are made with Dinamica microfibre, consisting of around 45 percent recycled PET fibres. In addition, both blue and red RS design packages that include additional enhancements and Dinamica elements can be equipped to both models if desired.

Customers can choose from a number of colours including an Audi exclusive matt effect paint finish at an extra cost and for the first time, Ascari Blue is available in both metallic and matt finish.

As you would expect, the RS 6 performance and RS 7 performance also come with a five-year warranty and 12 years manufacturer warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles. Alongside warranty, Audi Australia also includes a complimentary five-year Audi roadside assistance as part of the purchase of an RS 6 Avant performance or RS 7 Sportback performance.

As accomplished, luxurious grand tourers these two models have long been without peer, but as the name suggests, the latest iterations of these two RS models are all about the extreme performance. They represent another milestone for the Audi Sport brand and the ongoing development of these two extraordinary models. Since 2004 Audi Sport has been pushing the envelop with each successive generation by introducing a special plus or now, performance, variant. With these new RS 6 and RS 7 performance models, we reach a never before seen pinnacle that demonstrates in startling fashion, that progress never rests.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges.)

The vehicle shown is an overseas model for illustration purposes only. Some specification may differ from final Australian-delivered vehicles.