New Audi RS7 Sportback: prices, specs and release date

Prices and specifications for the new Audi RS7 Sportback have now been revealed. Costing from £97,050, the RS7 is a little more expensive than the Audi RS6 Avant, which starts from £92,700. Four trim levels are initially available - including a limited-production RS7 Launch Edition - and the car can be ordered now. It’s a rival to the BMW M5, the Mercedes-AMG E63 and the Porsche Panamera.

Kicking off the line-up is the base RS7, which features a host of luxury features like Matrix LED headlights, hi-res twin touchscreens and ventilated leather sports seats. It rides on 21-inch alloy wheels, has darkened headlights and an aggressive looking body kit, and features all-wheel steering. For £104,950 you can upgrade to the RS7 Carbon Black spec, which adds 22-inch alloys and gloss black exterior styling trim in place of the silver accents found on the standard model.

Read our in-depth review of the Audi RS7 Sportback

The RS7 Vorsprung starts at £113,550, and includes upgraded RS suspension, a panoramic sunroof, gloss black exterior trim and the removal of the 155mph speed limiter; in this spec, it’ll top out at 174mph. Launch Editions also hit this higher speed, and feature red brake calipers, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and additional matte paint options.

17

Bringing wider wheel arches and a larger blacked-out grille, the RS7 looks much meaner than the regular Audi A7. Only a few body parts are carried over, and the RS7 gets new sculpted bumpers, oval-shaped exhausts and 21-inch wheels befitting of its range-topping performance. Air suspension is standard and the LED headlights have a different unlocking sequence to the standard car’s lights, again to distinguish the RS7 from the rest of the range.

A new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine is the star of the show. The same engine as in the RS6, it produces 592bhp and gets the RS7 from standstill to 62mph in around 3.5 seconds. As standard, the top speed is limited to 155mph but you can power to 174mph if you choose the Dynamic Package or 189mph with the Dynamic Package Plus. An eight-speed automatic gearbox and quattro all-wheel-drive are fitted.

While the Audi S7 has switched to diesel power for better economy, the RS model retains a powerful petrol engine. Audi has used fuel-saving technology to improve the RS7’s economy figures; it comes with cylinder deactivation, so the V8 can run as a four-cylinder engine under light throttle. There’s also 48V mild-hybrid technology, which recovers energy usually lost when you don’t have your foot on the accelerator.

You can still expect the RS7 to be a thirsty car with high running costs. Around 30mpg is likely to be the maximum (you’ll see a lot less if you deploy even half of that power), while consumables will cost more than the regular A7.

Leather sports seats are included inside, tasked with supporting occupants through fast corners. The RS7 also features a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a choice of colourful design packages, plus RS-specific displays for the Virtual Cockpit and infotainment screen, and Audi Sport-branded puddle lights projected from the underside of the doors.

17

Like the RS6, there are two new driving modes, called RS1 and RS2. Drivers can use these settings to configure the car’s setup to their preference, and RS2 goes one step further by turning off the traction control.

Unless you opt for a standard three-seat bench, those in the rear will enjoy sporty seats like the ones in the front. Other options include larger alloy wheels, ceramic brakes, a sports exhaust system and Matrix LED headlights, but these are likely to take the RS7 over the six-figure threshold.

Read our review of the standard Audi A7 Sportback, and see where it lands on our list of best executive cars.