FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: New Audi RS 7 Sportback debuts

Audi Sport has continued its 25th anniversary celebrations, revealing the second-generation Audi RS 7 Sportback hours before the Frankfurt auto show opens later today.

A non-identical close technical relation of the Audi RS 6 Avant unveiled last month, the four-door super-liftback is the second of six new models from Audi’s hot tuner due to break cover this year.

The new Audi RS 7 comes with a 441kW/800Nm iturbo V8 engine driving all four wheels via a permanent all-wheel drive system and an overhauled eight-speed torque converter auto.

That compares to the 412kW/700Nm original launched in Australia in 2014 and the 445kW/750Nm ‘performance’ version rolled out in 2016. Expect a performance version of the new generation to come along before too long and up the ante again.

For now, the RS 7 accelerates to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds with the aid of a new launch control function, about 0.1sec faster than the old performance version and 0.3 faster than the standard first-generation RS 7.

Top speed continues to be as high as 305km/h depending on how much extra you are prepared to pay.

Speaking of dollars, pricing is a guesstimate at the moment, but somewhere north of $250,000-$260,000 would be in the approximate ballpark when the new RS 7 arrives in Australia around mid-2020.

The second-generation Audi A7 that the latest RS 7 is based on went on sale here back in late 2018. In terms of exterior design, the bonnet, front doors, roof and the tailgate are shared between the two cars.

The 2020 Audi RS 7 adopts a 40mm wider body than the A7, stretching its width to 1951mm. It is 5008mm long. Chrome and aluminium have been excised from the exterior and the grille design is frameless and lower. A slot atop the grille is inspired by the famed Sport quattro rally car and is now an RS design signature.

Huge air intakes emphasise the power potential of the RS 7 and it now rolls on bespoke 21- or 22-inch milled alloy wheels. A rear spoiler automatically lifts into position and adds downforce from 120km/h. A strip of lights link the tail-lights above an RS-specific bumper.

Inside, the driver can customise the RS 7 via new RS1 and RS2 modes, which affect everything from suspension set-up to exhaust sound. These are in addition to the standard comfort, auto, dynamic and efficiency drive select modes.

There’s also an RS version of the digital virtual cockpit and the new MMI touch response dual screen in the centre stack. Information on tyre pressure, torque, power output, engine oil temperature, boost pressure, lap timings, acceleration measurements and g forces are all accessible.

Interior feature include a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, aluminium flappy paddles and sports seats. A climate function is offered with optional perforated Valcona leather seats for the first time. Handy when you break into a sweat during a track session.

Also for the first time, the RS 7 comes with a three-seat bench in the rear. Boot capacity starts at 535 litres and expands to 1390 litres with the seat split-folded.

Like the new RS 6, the latest RS 7’s updated drivetrain adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It regenerates up to 12kW stored in a 0.5kW/h lithium-ion battery under the floor in the boot and is called into service to run functions and restart the car when it’s coasting between 55km/h and 160km/h.

Combined with cylinder on demand, which carries over, Audi Sport claims the mild-hybrid system produces a fuel saving of up to 0.8L/100km. But it has yet to post a claimed fuel consumption number for the RS 7.

Apart from that the 4.0-litre TFSI V8 is pretty familiar, with slightly bigger turbos with slightly more boost nestling in the hot vee.

The permanent all-wheel drive system runs 40/60 front/rear, but can divert torque up to 70 per cent front and 85 per cent rear.

Unlike the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 S, quattro does not have a hoon mode that effectively turns it into a rear-wheel drive at the flick of a switch. Like the RS 6, it was considered but rejected, purportedly due to lack of customer demand.

Other chassis features include a new electronically-assisted variable-ratio steering system and optional rear-wheel steering. The latter can counter-steer up to five per cent up to 100km/h and up to two per cent in the same direction at higher speeds.

Air suspension and electronically adaptive dampers continue to be standard. The air spring rate is up to 50 per cent stiffer than the standard A7, reflecting the sporting and speed aspirations of the car. The RS 7’s ride height can vary through a 50mm range.

Alternatively, more track-oriented Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) cross-axle hydraulic variable damping with coil springs is optional.

Steel brake discs with 420mm diameter are standard and 440mm ceramic brakes are optional. Ten-piston callipers are offered with both.

A dynamic package -- which has been standard in Australia previously -- includes rear-wheel steering, the quattro sport rear differential and the top speed bumped to 280km/h. Dynamic package plus pushes top speed to 305km/h and sensibly adds ceramic brakes!

More than 30 assist systems are available with the RS 7 including adaptive cruise assist, intersection assist, lane change warning, curb warning, and 360-degree cameras.

There are 13 standard exterior paint finishes, including the two RS-specific shades of Nardo grey and Sebring black, plus crystal effect and five available matt-effect paint finishes.

Matrix LED headlights are a new option for the Audi RS 7, as are two RS interior design packages in grey or black. A panoramic roof, head-up display and sports exhaust are all also available.