Audi RS7 Sportback: Review

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The wild inconsistency of Audi's chassis department is one of the great mysteries of the modern motoring world. Quattro GmbH, responsible for Audi's hotter models, has varyingly turned out such hits as the R8 and the recent RS6 and such misses as the current RS3 and RS4, which in their own ways irritate and frustrate. Given that the new RS7 has much in common with the RS6 that Harris found so likeableyou'd have to hope it's in the former camp...

Coming to a back bumper (very) near you soon

There will be no RS6 saloon. This five-door fills the sub-Avant niche with the kind of rakish coupe-like roofline that seems to be all the rage at the moment; think CLS, 6 Series Gran Coupe and Porsche Panamera. Indeed, the hottest versions of each of those are squarely in the RS7's sights according to the press material, as well as, curiously, the Jaguar XKR-S. [Yes, we checked with Dan and Audi did say XKR-S, not XFR-S... - Ed.]

Remember when Audi said it'll only do one RS model at a time to keep the badge exclusive? Times change. This new RS7 becomes the eighth RS model in the current line-up and in 2013 Audi will deliver 15,000 RS and R8 units globally, up 30 per cent on last year.

Downsized, not downplayed
From time spent with the RS6 we know the drivetrain is quite brilliant. The engine is a 4.0-litre V8 with a pair of turbochargers in the vee to give 560hp and 516lb ft from 1,750rpm. Power goes, naturally, to all four wheels via the market leading ZF eight-speed auto. The centre differential can shuffle power fore and aft from the default 40:60 split to extremes of 70:30 and 15:85, while a limited-slip differential manages power between the rear wheels.

Drive slowly to keep that spoiler stowed...

The RS7 bounces off the line in true all-wheel drive style to hit 62mph in a staggering 3.9 seconds. As standard the top speed is set at 155mph, but you can pay a bit for the Dynamic package to lift that to 174mph, or a bit more for the Dynamic Plus package if you need to hit 189mph. Audi claims 28.8mpg on the combined cycle, but you should chop seven or eight points from that for a more realistic figure.

UK cars will come as standard with air suspension, which lowers the body by 20mm but promises to optimise ride comfort. Buyers can choose steel springs should they prefer a sharper driving experience. With this option comes Dynamic Ride Control, which diagonally connects the dampers to manage roll. The RS6, it's worth noting, rides well on steel springs on UK roads, even on 21-inch rims.

Chip off the same block
Audi's mainstream models are now so familial in their styling that the striking A7 body comes as something of a relief. Although not traditionally pretty, it does at least look interesting with its falling roofline and sharply truncated rear end. Aggressive body styling, carbon fibre trim and a pair of large oval exhaust exits lift the RS7 from its cooking stable mates. The quality of the cabin is good, but it does disappoint a little for being so clearly the same as a standard A6's.

Much like the RS6 inside, just cosier

The drivetrain is, pleasingly, as one remembers of the RS6. There is no lag, just an instantaneous surge of thrust that is quite shocking in the lower gears. It continues to pull hard right into its higher reaches, but it does its best work in the mid-range; truly a brilliant powerplant that is so well suited to this kind of car. Similarly, the ZF eight-speed auto shifts quickly and smoothly up and down the cogs and always in deference to the driver's demands. In town it's refined and effortless, but in manual mode it responds so quickly you'd swear it was a twin-clutch unit.

Big stick/speaking quietly
Only one issue concerns the engine and that's aural output, or rather the lack of it. The optional sports exhaust does add a touch of appeal in the lower reaches and some pleasing pops and crackles on the overrun, but the noise from 4,000rpm onwards is all turbo whoosh with nothing to hint at the eight cylinders banging up and down up front. In these terms the RS7 loses out heavily to the CLS63 AMG, which immediately feels more characterful for its distinctly V8 exhaust note.

LEDs and gaping vents boost uberholprestige

The ride quality on steel springs and 21-inch wheels is marginal at best. At low speed it is rather lumpy, even in Comfort mode, and although this does smooth out to a degree at speed it never achieves the RS6's degree of compliance. In Dynamic mode ride comfort falls to pieces and the car even begins to hunt out cambers and ruts, tugging you perceptibly across the road. We'll reserve judgement until we've had a proper try, but anecdotal reports suggest the standard air suspension and smaller 20-inch wheels improve matters a great deal.

Taming the beast
Naturally, the firmer setting is necessary when pressing on because the Comfort mode just cannot contain the lateral masses of a two-tonne car with any degree of composure. With the effective extra spring rate body control does improve markedly and the RS7 proves itself capable of carrying huge speed across country. Turn in bite is very strong indeed, but more surprising is that the rear end can be persuaded to take on a degree of attitude on the entry phase of a corner should you trail brake slightly. This isn't an entirely inert, aloof chassis and with the torque vectoring and rear differential it does respond keenly and with athleticism once you get on the power, but - ultimately - hinting at the Jaguar XKR-S was a bit of a tease.

Thumping twin-turbo V8 punches with ferocity

We don't expect steering feel from cars such as this one, particularly now that electrically-assisted power steering is so prevalent, but we shouldn't necessarily be denied direct, intuitive steering. The RS7's is neither and in Dynamic mode it feels horribly artificial. It also doesn't self-centre on corner exits under power as your intuition tells you it should, which can cause the occasional alarming moment as you hurriedly unwind excess lock.

The RS7 is massively effective over long journeys, effortless in town, sure-footed in adverse conditions and capable of alarming cross country pace, but on first impressions it doesn't deliver the fun and enduring allure of a true sports cars or, for that matter, the CLS63 AMG and M6 Gran Coupe. A fast Audi, in other words.

AUDI RS7 SPORTBACK
Engine: 3,993cc, V8, twin-turbocharged
Transmission: 8-speed ZF automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 560hp@5700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 516lb ft@1750-5500rpm
0-62mph: 3.9sec
Top speed: 155mph (174mph and 189mph optional)
Weight: 1,995kg
MPG: 28.8mpg (claimed)
CO2: 229g/km
Price: £83,495

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hornbaek

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