My anticipation of driving the Audi RS 7 Sportback performance was palpable, as it’s the sister vehicle to the wonderful Audi RS 6 Avant performance that I drove earlier this year. So, to really savour my every moment with the RS 7 I booked a surprise mid-week getaway to the Hunter Valley for my family for some much needed relaxation time.
The RS 7 is certainly not light on the fizz, with the four-litre twin turbocharged V8 having a maximum of 463kW of power and 850Nm of torque. This output combined with the quattro all-wheel drive system means the RS 7 can achieve the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 280km/h. The V8 under the bonnet was the star of the RS 7 show on my drive along the famous Putty Road, with a 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology and cylinder on demand technology becoming my friend on the highway. The official combined fuel use figure is 11.6L/100km, and for my week of driving I used 12.4L/100km.
There are six drive modes available allowing you to balance between your differing priorities when you are driving the RS 7. These include Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic and on top of these there are two RS modes both of which are configurable. The RS1 and RS2 modes allow you to adjust the Drive system, Suspension, Steering, Engine Sound, and quattro system and RS2 has one extra option has to switch the ESC into Dynamic mode.
The performance orientated Dynamic and RS modes deepen the exhaust note and add some enjoyable cackles on hard shifting through the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox using the smooth metal steering wheel paddle shifters. The ride is on the firm side in the dynamic modes, but not unbearable, and in comfort mode all of my passengers found it was agreeable. As the driver in addition to the performance on offer, I appreciated the beautiful perforated leather-covered steering wheel and the Audi virtual cockpit consisting of a 12.3 inch fully digital configurable instrument cluster and the head-up display in colour with speed, navigation and assistance information.
Less pleasant was a resonance that occurred in the cabin under some driving conditions. Audi have reduced the insulation between that which separates the engine, the interior cabin, and the rear of the vehicle. The upside in the reduction in sound-deadening material allows the emotive sound of the sport exhaust system to travel easily into the cabin and in turn contributes to a reduction in unladen weight of the vehicle, but possibly this unwanted noise in the cabin has become a downside of it?
The cabin of the RS 7 does have a pleasing aroma that may be attributed to the fine Nappa leather on the centre console, dashboard, and door trims. The RS sport front and rear seats are upholstered in Valcona leather with RS embossing, centre panels in perforated leather with a honeycomb stitch pattern, and were very comfortable for long journeys. Both front seats are heated and ventilated and have powered adjustment for recline, forward/back, seat height front and rear, 4-way lumbar support and manual front seat extension and the driver’s seat has two memory positions.
The Audi smartphone interface connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wirelessly or via USB, to the 10.1-inch main infotainment screen with a wireless charging pad for compatible devices and two USB-C ports located under the arm rest. I found, as with all the Audis I have driven recently, that the voice control for this system worked well for making phone calls, changing the radio station when you get the station name correct, and for setting a destination on the sat nav.
Below this screen is another 8.6-inch display for climate control functions, with handwriting recognition for entering a destination for example, and a favourites list. Both of these screens have touch, acoustic and haptic feedback and require a firmer press than you would expect to make a selection. This RS 7 had the optional Sensory package ($11,000) that includes a sunblind for the rear window, Dinamica headlining in black, heated rear outer seats, and the mighty Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System including 19 loudspeakers and a total output of 1,820 watts.
Although they have no practical application I do really like the ambient lighting in the cabin and the RS performance puddle lights. But from a practicality point of view there are good sized drink bottle storage in the front doors cubbies, with slim cup holders in the centre console that have a removable rubber mat in their base for easy cleaning and there’s also a key storage slot here and one 12V socket.
The rear seats are beautifully contoured, which may make it difficult to fit some car seats to the two ISOfix/three rear tether child seat restraint points the seats. I found that the head room was tight for me, but leg room was adequate, however taller individuals will find it snug. The centre seat folds down as an arm rest with a slim storage cubby located in it that you could store items, like a colouring book and pencils, and in front of the arm rest there are two flip out cup holders.
Rear passengers get individual digital temperature, mode and air speed controls with two central vents and vents in the B pillar, all of which can be individually adjusted and turned on/off. Below the centre vents there are two USB-C ports and one 12V socket and the drink bottle storage in rear door cubbies is only suitable for slim drink bottles.
The boot of the RS 7 is huge, easily accommodating our luggage, and has a solid parcel shelf with a screen to stop items moving forward. The tailgate has powered open/close using the button under boot lid, on the key fob, and in the cabin. The boot space has four substantial tie down points with a cargo net, two hooks, two lights, and one 12V socket with a tyre repair kit located under boot floor. If you need even more storage space the rear seats have a 40:20:40 split folding mechanism.
The RS 7 Sportback performance does not have an ANCAP safety rating, but it have front airbags for driver and passenger, side airbags for front and rear side passengers, and head level curtain airbag for front and rear passengers. The RS 7 comes as standard with Audi pre-sense front with Autonomous Emergency Braking providing collision mitigation from 5km/h up to 85 km/h (pedestrians and cyclists) and up to 250 km/h (vehicles) and Audi pre-sense rear. Other driver safety systems include adaptive cruise control with controlled using a stalk behind the steering wheel, Audi active lane assist, Audi side assist, rear cross traffic assist, Intersection crossing assist, and an Exit warning system that detects vehicles and cyclists when opening doors.
Automatic control of lights-on function and windscreen wipers make driving just that little more stress free as does the 360-degree cameras including kerb view function with four wide-angle cameras that cover the entire area immediately around the vehicle, providing a range of different views for even easier maneuvering. The camera system is combined with front and rear sensors for added parking ease.
The Audi RS 7 Sportback performance comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty and also includes a complimentary five-year Audi roadside assistance. Audi owners also receive a complementary membership during their warranty period to Audi Experience, Audi Australia’s bespoke loyalty program that offers access to exclusive national events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences and premium partner offers.
The service interval for the RS 7 Sportback performance is 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first, and a five-year service plan (maximum of 75,000km) can be purchased upfront for $4.360. There’s an option to purchase a 2-Year Top-up Service Plan on top of this for an additional amount of $2,950.
At the end of my week with the Audi RS 7 Sportback performance my thirst was quenched from every standpoint. Prices for the Audi RS 7 Sportback performance start at $248,500 excluding dealer delivery and on-road costs and as tested my Sportback was $263,050 excluding those costs. You can shop for an Audi RS 7 Sportback performance online or visit your preferred Audi dealer for more information.
| Pros | Cons |
| The V8 engine performance | Resonance in the cabin |
| The beautiful interior | Haptic buttons need a firm push |
| The Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System | Tight headroom for rear seats |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.