The new Audi RS7 Sportback has been revealed at the Frankfurt motor show, powered by a 4,0 TFSI V8 generating 441 kW and 800 N.m.
Billed as a “wide-bodied five-seater”, the new RS7 Sportback furthermore benefits from a mild-hybrid system featuring a 48 V main on-board electrical system. The mild-hybrid’s belt alternator starter can recover up to 12 kW under “gentle acceleration” and feed it into a lithium-ion battery.
The turbocharged V8’s impressive peak torque figure is available from 2 050 to 4 500 r/min, and helps facilitate a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a claimed 3,6 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, although this number can be hiked to 280 km/h with the Dynamic package specified and to 305 km/h when ticking the “Dynamic plus package” box.
The 4,0-litre unit – which furthermore employs cylinder-on-demand technology – produces what the Ingoldstadt-based firm describes as a “full-bodied and sporty V8 sound”. There’s also an optional RS sport exhaust system with black tailpipe trim that provides an “even fuller sound”.
An eight-speed automatic transmission (complete with a new launch control function) ships standard, directing all of that oomph to all four wheels. The RS adaptive air suspension is also standard, while the RS sport suspension plus with “dynamic ride control” is an option.
The new RS 7 Sportback rides on 21-inch cast alloy wheels with a ten-spoke star design and 275/35 rubber, although Audi Sport offers optional RS-specific wheels with a 22-inch five-V-spoke design with 285/30 tyres in silver, matte titanium effect, gloss turned finish, and gloss turned anthracite black.
The callipers of the RS braking system with internally ventilated and perforated discs (420 mm fore and 370 mm aft) are painted black as standard or red upon request. Ceramic items will also be offered.
