2015 Audi RS 7 Sportback's new look

German prestige car-maker Audi has revealed a face-lifted version of its storming RS 7 Sportback almost a year before it's due to land in Australia.

Arriving in Europe later in 2014 and scheduled to make land fall in Oz mid-way through 2015, the updated RS 7 benefits from a blink-and-you'll-miss-it exterior update, several tweaks to the cabin, new 'intelligent' matrix LED headlights and a more efficient tune for its formidable 4.0-litre V8.

Powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 as the current RS 7 that belts out 412kW/700Nm, which we tested in the Northern Territory against the HSV GTS to an impressive (and legal) top speed of 292km/h, the updated RS 7 features the same quattro AWD system and eight-speed tiptronic transmission.

As such the $238,500 beast splits the 0-100km/h dash at a supercar-like 3.9 seconds, with a top whack of 305km/h (190mph) when optioned with the dynamics package.

Although the visual changes are so subtle you might miss them, Audi says the face-lifted version of its increasingly popular RS 7 Sportback shows a "dynamic character" via the introduction of redesigned lateral air inlets in the front bumper. Lump in Matrix LED headlights and minor changes to the single frame grille and brake lights and you're across the external changes.

The car's update comes hot on the heels of massaged versions of Audi's A7 and S7 Sportback models, revealed a week prior.

Fuel economy for the almost two-tonne RS 7 has been improved, the bahn-stormer now sipping 300ml less petrol per 100km when driven gently, with claimed average consumption of 9.5L/100km, down from 9.8L/100km. CO2 emissions have dropped from 229 to 221g/km as well.

Four new colours have been added to the RS 7's palette, including a new pearl effect paint job dubbed Sepang blue. The other three colours, Glacier white, Floret silver and Mythos black are metallic effect finishes.

The German bruiser rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and can be optioned with 21-inchers in three color finishes and ceramic disc brakes for those who want mega stopping power.

Inside the cabin the RS 7's "elegant black interior" features the same RS sport seats but gains a new look instrument cluster and infotainment (MMI) system, which operates faster and looks sharper thanks to the latest Nvidia graphics processors.

Audi Australia has sold 14 versions of the current 2014 Audi RS 7 Sportback since its local launch in February this year, at $238,500 a pop. Audi says it's "too early yet for discussion of pricing" of the new model in Australia, which isn't due here until mid-way through 2015.