Car and Driver - USA (2019-12)

THE RUNDOWN

Clearance

The RS7 is

0.4 inch lower

than the A7

and drops

an additional

0.4 inch at

75 mph.

0.^4

in

0.

4 i

n

PARTS COUNTER

The new RS7 is a wonderfully well-rounded and highly desirable
sports-luxury hatchback. We’ve long proclaimed that Audi’s
twin-turbo V-8, used in the previous S7 and RS7, is one of the
greatest engines out there, and it’s even better in the new
model. The RS7 has a hugely impressive amount of oomph, but
it never feels bombastic, instead building speed in an effortless
manner that makes it easy to drive smoothly and quickly. On
less-than-pristine sections of asphalt, we were impressed by
the Audi’s wheel control. You’d think the optional 22-inch wheels
that look so amazing would lead to a significant degradation in
ride quality, but there was a surprising lack of harsh impacts.
Rather than obscene power and aggressive visual add-ons,
the RS7 relies on grace and elegance—and, granted, a lot of
power—to distinguish itself from the A7 and middle-child S7.

2020 AUDI RS7 ~ BY JOEY CAPPARELLA

the numbers

Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive,

5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

Base .................................... $122,000 (est)

Engine: twin-turbocharged and intercooled

DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and

heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement ........................ 244 cu in, 3996 cc

Power ...................................... 591 hp @ 6250 rpm

Torque ............................... 590 lb-ft @ 2050 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Dimensions

• Wheelbase ................................................. 115.4 in


• L/W/H ..................................... 197.2/76.8/56.0 in


• Curb Weight ............................................. 4550 lb
  Performance (C/D est)


• 60 mph ....................................................... 3.4 sec


• 100 mph ..................................................... 7.5 sec


• 1/4-Mile ..................................................... 11.4 sec


• Top Speed ....................................... 155–190 mph
  EPA Comb/City/Hwy ................... 18/15/25 mpg
  (C/D est)

Stance

The RS7’s stance is striking in person, and

the extra width compared with the A7 doesn’t

come from tacky addenda. Some major

body panels are unique to the RS model.

Width: 76.8 in (+1.7 in)

Brakes

Brake Rotors, F/R:

RS7: 16.5–17.3/14.6 in

A7: 13.3/13.0 in

Transmission

The RS7 has an eight-

speed automatic with

a robust gear-type

center differential.

The A7 has a seven-

speed dual-clutch

automatic with a clutch

pack limited to 369

pound-feet of torque

that couples the front

and rear axles.

TIRES

Widest Available Tires

RS7: 285/30R-22

A7: 255/35R-21

Rear Track: 65.0 in

(+0.6 in)

8

7

THE UPGRADES

Front Track: 65.7 in

(+0.7 in)

Engine
Audi’s twin-turbo V-8
is used throughout the
Volkswagen universe
and comes in several
different strengths.

Porsche Panamera GTS
453 hp
457 lb-ft
Porsche Cayenne Turbo
541 hp
568 lb-ft
Bentley Bentayga V8 and Continental GT V8
542 hp
568 lb-ft
Porsche Panamera Turbo
550 hp
567 lb-ft
Audi RS6 Avant and RS7
591 hp
590 lb-ft
Lamborghini Urus
641 hp
627 lb-ft

82 DECEMBER 2019 ~ CAR AND DRIVER

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