More powerful and faster than any RS6 and RS7 to date: new Audi RS6 Avant performance and the RS7 Sportback performance are bursting with extras that sharpen the models' appearance and make for a more emotive driving experience. The potent 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine now has an engine power of 463 kW (630 PS) and a maximum torque of 850 Nm. From December 8, the RS6 Avant performance and the RS7 Sportback performance are available for 135,000 euros each.
At Audi, 'performance' means more power. For example, larger turbochargers and an increase in boost pressure from 2.4 to 2.6 bar in the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine that both the Audi RS6 Avant performance and Audi RS7 Sportback performance boast, allow an increase of 30 PS in engine power and 50 Nm more torque compared to the base versions. This means a total increase in power from 441 kW (600 PS) to 463 kW (630 PS) and in maximum torque from 800 to 850 Nm. The performance models sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the RS6 / RS7 base versions.
Yet less is sometimes more: reduced insulation between the engine compartment, the interior, and the rear of the vehicle ensures the Audi RS6 Avant performance and the RS7 Sportback performance will thrill customers with an exciting, next-level sound experience - the reduction also makes the car eight kilograms lighter. The RS6 Avant performance has a total unladen weight of 2,090 kg whilst the RS7 Sportback performance weighs 2,065 kg.
Exclusive and high-performance: 22-inch wheels with high-performance tires
The new RS6 Avant performance and RS7 Sportback performance roll off the line on standard 21-inch aluminum cast wheels in a ten-spoke star design and 273/35 tires. For an even sportier appearance, 22-inch lightweight wheels are also available, alongside the standard 22-inch aluminum cast wheels - in burnished glossy metallic black, matte gray, matte black, or matte neodymium gold. Inspired by motorsport, the airy 5-Y spoke design aids brake cooling and the lighter rims are manufactured in a high-tech forging-milling process. The new lightweight wheel is around five kilograms lighter than the 22-inch aluminum wheel on the current RS6 Avant or RS7 Sportback - this 20-kilogram weight reduction in unsprung masses improves the throttle response.
New high-performance Continental "Sport Contact 7" 285/30 tires, which are part of the new lightweight wheel, play a key role in reducing weight. The tires offer consistently better grip on both dry and wet roads and reduce understeering when cornering at speed, making for overall more precise handling across the entire speed range. Additionally, the brake path is up to two meters shorter with the new wheels when braking from 100 to 0 km/h. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system lets the driver control the vehicle's character. Six profiles are available: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, as well as two customizable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes.
But experience of the driving modes in the performance models is much more unique. For example, the coasting mode now only activates automatically in the efficiency profile, which means in speed ranges up to 160 km/h, it switches off the combustion engine and coasts with no fuel consumption or drag torque from the engine. Additionally, fine-tuning to the engine control unit software makes for tighter load changes in S mode when the "dynamic" drive select mode or driving mode S is active, further increasing the emotionality. The updated software in the transmission control unit makes for faster shifting times and a noticeably increased spread between the various driving modes.
RS Dynamic Package as standard
The RS Dynamic Package is standard equipment in the RS6 Avant performance and RS7 performance models. This includes the increase in maximum speed to 280 km/h (180 mph), dynamic all-wheel steering (the RS-specific software update helps the driver with active steering corrections on the front and rear axles), and the quattro sport differential on the rear axle.
The RS Dynamics Package plus is also available as an option, which in addition to the RS Dynamics Package, raises the top speed to 305 km/h and includes an RS ceramic brake system. Customers can order the calipers in gray, red, or blue and discs measure 440 mm (front) and 370 mm (rear). The RS ceramic brake system weights a total of approx. 34 kg less than its steel counterpart for a reduction of the unsprung masses.
Performance by tradition: from the RS6 Avant plus to today
The RS6 Avant performance and RS7 Sportback performance in the C8 generation continue Audi's long-standing sport strategy of plus and performance models. It all began with the RS6 Avant plus in the C5 generation, shortly before the series was discontinued in 2004, quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH) launched a special limited series of 999 units with a subtle upgrade in power. The engine power climbed by 30 PS to 480 PS and the model bore the distinction of being the first Audi to officially go faster than 250 km/h. Audi Sport throttled the RS6 plus to 280 km/h, making it the fastest sport wagon. Without the engine control unit, it reached a top speed of more than 300 km/h.
The plus variant in the C6 generation hit the market in 2008 and was limited to 500 units. Unlike its predecessor, it did not feature any additional power; the V10 kept its 580 PS. But Audi limited the top speed of the special Avant and Sedan to 303 km/h; the only faster vehicle at the time was the R8.
In the C7 generation, "plus" became "performance" - the Audi RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback performance rolled off the line in 2016, with a slightly tweaked engine, the power rose to 605 PS, 45 PS more than in the base model. The overboost function increased briefly to 750 Nm in "dynamic" driving mode and depending on equipment, the speed was limited at 250, 280 or 305 km/h.
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