Upgrades for RS6 and RS7

The Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback have been tweaked for better efficiency, lighting, instrumentation and cosmetic improvements in line with recent changes to the models on which they are based, the A6 and A7 respectively.

The changes are incremental rather than major; nose and tail treatments have been fettled, the interior gains an improved centre screen interface and high-resolution instruments, windows have improved glazing and the V8 twin-turbo engine and eight-speed transmission have been revised for improved economy.

Prices have been updated too; the 2015 RS 6 Avant increases $4500 to $229,000 and the RS 7 Sportback is $3500 more expensive at $242,000.

The nose treatment on both models now incorporates Audi's Matrix LED headlights, in place of the previous LED lights, and minor changes to the grille and lower air intake. Redesigned side sills, exhaust outlets and LED taillights round off the external improvements.

Side mirrors are now satin aluminium instead of bright aluminium and the roof rails are also in satin aluminium on the RS 6 Avant. An optional $2200 Black styling package is available that colours front spoiler, grille surround and trim on side windows in high-gloss black, plus exterior mirrors are painted in high-gloss black. The RS 6 Avant also gets gloss black roof rails as part of this package.

New acoustic glass for the windscreen and side windows nets up to an 8dB decrease in interior noise for both cars.

Inside, the two RS models gain the revised centre screen interface and high-resolution driver information systems fitted to the recently improved A6 and A7.

The new high resolution Driver Information System (DIS) sits in between the speedometer and tachometer readouts, and can display map-based navigation in the driver's natural field of vision. This screen is powered by the new-generation MIB2 infotainment system, which itself is driven by the latest Nvidia Tegra 30 quad-core processor.

The RS6 Avant can be had with five-occupant capacity or at no extra cost it can be ordered as a four-seater, a more sculpted two-seat pew replacing the three-seat rear bench.

Standard on both RS models is a flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel with paddle gear shifters, a driver's heads-up windscreen display and four-zone climate control. Other standard inclusions are the power-adjustable RS sports seats trimmed in Valcona leather with a honeycomb pattern, an Audi Connect 14-speaker, 600-watt Bose audio system, DAB radio, digital TV and MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch functionality.

Other equipment highlights include an RS sports exhaust, Audi parking system plus with front and rear cameras and glass sunroof.

Both models share the same powertrain used before. The direct-injection twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 continues with its 412kW/700Nm outputs and deactivates four cylinders during low-load conditions to achieve a 10 per cent fuel consumption reduction, according to Audi. The V8 is now tuned to meet EU6 emissions regulations.

The driveline in both cars comprises the eight-speed automatic — now with shortened shift times and improved efficiency — and the quattro all-wheel drive system. A crown-gear centre differential, quattro sports rear differential, wheel selective torque vectoring and electronically controlled individual wheel braking rounds off the traction assistance package.

The wheel/tyre package comprises the familiar 21-inch alloy wheels shod with 285/30 R20 tyres.

The electric performance of these two RS models continues unchanged; the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback will both sprint to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9sec.

Thanks to improved efficiencies, combined fuel consumption is 9.6L/100km for the RS 6 Avant and 9.5L/100km for the RS 7 Sportback. Both achieved an average of 9.8L/100km previously.

Key options include the Carbon styling package ($8,500), Dynamic package ($4,900, which adds Dynamic steering, Dynamic ride control (DRC) and increased top speed from 250km/h to 280 km/h), Bang &  Olufsen Advanced Sound ($12,000) and red brake callipers ($980)