Wednesday 14th November 2018

Next Audi RS7 caught testing; expect 650hp

Ingolstadt's next-gen four-door is almost certain to pinch electric power from the Pananmera

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In a couple of years you'll likely be able to buy a four-door hatchback (ok coupe, if we must) from a mainstream manufacturer that produces 650hp. Madness. But that's what happens when you combine a twin-turbocharged V8 with an electric motor; you get large round numbers. Which is exactly what Audi is thought to be doing with the next-generation RS7 Sportback.

The new model is widely expected to share the same petrol-electric powertrain that has the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E Hybrid producing 680hp. We'd imagine Ingolstadt's version developing slightly less than that (because Porsche) but it'll have the same eight-speed auto and - you'd imagine - the same access to a modest zero emission range.

Certainly the current RS7 is getting on a bit (it's based on the eight-year-old A7) so much so that when Matt put one up against the new Panamera last year, it was pretty much left for dead despite being a wholly compelling machine in isolation. It provides space for four and their luggage while offering supercar-like straight-line pace and abundant all-wheel drive traction. For the next car to improve on this it'll need significant changes under the skin.

However, if the rumour mill is to be believed (and if Audi is to both have its cake, and eat it) the RS7 will also spawn a more direct successor to the current car in the shape of an 'entry-level' model powered by the boosted 4.0-litre V8 exclusively. Given the Performance version of the outgoing model already produces in excess of 600hp, we'd expect its follow up to be around the same mark - which is unlikely to leave anyone feeling disappointed.

Audi confirmed earlier this year that it was abandoning the in-house developed MLB platform that underpins today's car so you might expect the 2020 RS7 to inherit the Porsche-engineered MSB platform used to great effect by the Panamera and also the Bentley Continental GT. And, well, you'd be right. But the A7/RS7's structure will be shorter, plus it'll use air suspension with its own parameters, so it would probably be an oversimplification to describe it as a reworked Panamera skeleton. Audi will probably also have a new version of its Dynamic Ride Control available as a firmer option tailored specifically to the RS7.

Heavily camouflaged though it may be in our spy shots, the new car's silhouette is clearly an evolution of the current RS7 - which comes as no surprise. There is, however, a visible new light bar at the rear, plus, the whole car looks a little larger - again, predictable. Expect an interior packed with the latest Audi Virtual Cockpit technology and no small amout of wood and leather. And expect a near six-figure price, too.

[sidesauce]

If I was in the market for a car in this category, the Panamera would get the nod over this.

[Gez79]

I'm a bit confused by this article? Surely that's just the RS7 version of the current A7 which has been on sale for less than a year and is based on the MLB platform?

This article makes it sound like it's a whole new A7 on a new platform? Can't see them testing the next gen car when the current one is so new and doesn't have it's own S7 or RS7 yet ?

[j90gta]

This whole thing of stupid power outputs is getting ridiculous. Who actually needs 650 hp in a 4-door vehicle, be it a saloon, coupe or SUV? Why can't all these manufacturers look at building cars with better power to weight ratios. All these headline grabbing power outputs are probably necessary because cars and their occupants are getting bigger and heavier. I'd be more impressed if someone came up with a lightweight vehicle with less power but with equivalent performance. Just bolting on bigger turbos is not the answer.

[csd19]

That's a fair old size of a hatchback...

[E65Ross]

j90gta said:

This whole thing of stupid power outputs is getting ridiculous. Who actually needs 650 hp in a 4-door vehicle, be it a saloon, coupe or SUV? Why can't all these manufacturers look at building cars with better power to weight ratios. All these headline grabbing power outputs are probably necessary because cars and their occupants are getting bigger and heavier. I'd be more impressed if someone came up with a lightweight vehicle with less power but with equivalent performance. Just bolting on bigger turbos is not the answer.

Just out of question, why do you ask who needs this amount of power in a 4 door car, SUV etc but omitted small sports cars (eg a supercar). Why? Surely in a heavier car having more power makes more sense.

You talk about more power to weight, but by adding power they do that. How would you strip a lot of weight from a car like this, without sacrificing one of its USPs (ie being quiet, comfortable and full of luxury)?

Cheers

[redroadster]

No wonder Tesla is doing well ,Dinasour .

[Greg the Fish]

Why do they bother camouflaging new Audis?

It's not like they're going to be any different from the rest of the range is it? Just bigger or smaller versions of the same.

[Mr-B]

Greg the Fish said:

Why do they bother camouflaging new Audis?

It's not like they're going to be any different from the rest of the range is it? Just bigger or smaller versions of the same.

Indeed. Just leave it in plain white paint and no-one would give this a second glance. Then again maybe it's all part of the marketing/reverse psychology pre-arranged photoshoot spy-shot to get you to notice it.

[j90gta]

E65Ross said:

j90gta said:

This whole thing of stupid power outputs is getting ridiculous. Who actually needs 650 hp in a 4-door vehicle, be it a saloon, coupe or SUV? Why can't all these manufacturers look at building cars with better power to weight ratios. All these headline grabbing power outputs are probably necessary because cars and their occupants are getting bigger and heavier. I'd be more impressed if someone came up with a lightweight vehicle with less power but with equivalent performance. Just bolting on bigger turbos is not the answer.

Just out of question, why do you ask who needs this amount of power in a 4 door car, SUV etc but omitted small sports cars (eg a supercar). Why? Surely in a heavier car having more power makes more sense.

You talk about more power to weight, but by adding power they do that. How would you strip a lot of weight from a car like this, without sacrificing one of its USPs (ie being quiet, comfortable and full of luxury)?

Cheers

With advancements in technology and construction materials and processes someone should be able to design and build a lightweight vehicle which is quiet, comfortable and full of luxury. Something with about 350/400 bhp should be ample, but with much less weight to lug around is surely feasible...

[B17NNS]

redroadster said:

No wonder Tesla is doing well ,Dinasour .

It does feel that way doesn't it. Meanwhile Telsa owners are downloading the drift app.

[Beechie]

sidesauce said:

If I was in the market for a car in this category, the Panamera would get the nod over this.

Fascinating

[borat52]

redroadster said:

No wonder Tesla is doing well ,Dinasour .

VAG made €14bn profit in 2017
Tesla lost $2bn in 2017

I’m not sure that qualifies as “doing well” to most.

You’ll see a fully electric Audi if/when the finances add up.

[VTECMFR]

Those wheels looking blooming tremendous.

[HighwayStar]

j90gta said:

E65Ross said:

j90gta said:

This whole thing of stupid power outputs is getting ridiculous. Who actually needs 650 hp in a 4-door vehicle, be it a saloon, coupe or SUV? Why can't all these manufacturers look at building cars with better power to weight ratios. All these headline grabbing power outputs are probably necessary because cars and their occupants are getting bigger and heavier. I'd be more impressed if someone came up with a lightweight vehicle with less power but with equivalent performance. Just bolting on bigger turbos is not the answer.

Just out of question, why do you ask who needs this amount of power in a 4 door car, SUV etc but omitted small sports cars (eg a supercar). Why? Surely in a heavier car having more power makes more sense.

You talk about more power to weight, but by adding power they do that. How would you strip a lot of weight from a car like this, without sacrificing one of its USPs (ie being quiet, comfortable and full of luxury)?

Cheers

With advancements in technology and construction materials and processes someone should be able to design and build a lightweight vehicle which is quiet, comfortable and full of luxury. Something with about 350/400 bhp should be ample, but with much less weight to lug around is surely feasible...

This is getting interesting.... Keep going. These advances in technology, construction materials and processes. 'Much less weight to lug around' suggests materials not used in this type of car... so, how much would you expect such a car to cost today?

[Greg the Fish]

j90gta said:

This whole thing of stupid power outputs is getting ridiculous. Who actually needs 650 hp in a 4-door vehicle, be it a saloon, coupe or SUV? Why can't all these manufacturers look at building cars with better power to weight ratios. All these headline grabbing power outputs are probably necessary because cars and their occupants are getting bigger and heavier. I'd be more impressed if someone came up with a lightweight vehicle with less power but with equivalent performance. Just bolting on bigger turbos is not the answer.

When the Enzo came out it had 651 hp

[Zod]

It will still be dull.

[FourWheelDrift]

Coming into a Manchester car thief's possession soon.

[E65Ross]

HighwayStar said:

j90gta said:

E65Ross said:

j90gta said:

This whole thing of stupid power outputs is getting ridiculous. Who actually needs 650 hp in a 4-door vehicle, be it a saloon, coupe or SUV? Why can't all these manufacturers look at building cars with better power to weight ratios. All these headline grabbing power outputs are probably necessary because cars and their occupants are getting bigger and heavier. I'd be more impressed if someone came up with a lightweight vehicle with less power but with equivalent performance. Just bolting on bigger turbos is not the answer.

Just out of question, why do you ask who needs this amount of power in a 4 door car, SUV etc but omitted small sports cars (eg a supercar). Why? Surely in a heavier car having more power makes more sense.

You talk about more power to weight, but by adding power they do that. How would you strip a lot of weight from a car like this, without sacrificing one of its USPs (ie being quiet, comfortable and full of luxury)?

Cheers

With advancements in technology and construction materials and processes someone should be able to design and build a lightweight vehicle which is quiet, comfortable and full of luxury. Something with about 350/400 bhp should be ample, but with much less weight to lug around is surely feasible...

This is getting interesting.... Keep going. These advances in technology, construction materials and processes. 'Much less weight to lug around' suggests materials not used in this type of car... so, how much would you expect such a car to cost today?

Exactly. Yes, it could have a carbon fibre body, inconel exhaust etc etc but the cost would be astronomical. It's not like the manufacturers are purposefully making them heavy. They'll have a crack team of engineers and accountants to work out what gives the best all-round package in terms of ability and weight for the cost. Make it a great deal cheaper and it'll be too heavy, not luxurious enough etc, make it too stripped out and nobody would buy it (but it'd be lighter) OR make it out of very, very exotic materials which would make it lighter, but again nobody would buy it because it's too expensive.

it's almost as if people on PH think they know how to design a car better than the leading manufacturers

[Greg the Fish]

E65Ross said:

it's almost as if people on PH think they know how to design a car better than the leading manufacturers

Seeing the latest of BMWs offerings I'd suggest they probably do

[BrabusMog]

VTECMFR said:

Those wheels looking blooming tremendous.

Yep, love them!