Thursday 22nd October 2015

Audi RS6 and RS7 'performance' launched

Apparently a twin-turbo 560hp V8 isn't enough - RS6 and 7 now up to 600hp...

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This is a coincidence, honest. Just minutes after the RS4 Hero was published, praising how fast a 15 year-old car still feels, Audi has detailed its latest and even quicker RS models. The German supersaloon power wars are not over yet!

Will be at the Photoshopped city PDQ

But the new RS6 and RS7 aren't 'Plus' models, as the faster versions of the former have been previously. They are now branded 'performance' and, well, they sort of do what it says on the tin. Audi is quite vague on the exact modifications, talking of 'technological expertise', 'increased rpm and boost pressure' plus 'specific engine management' but without any numbers to support those claims.

The performance figures, though, are in no doubt. Power is up 45hp to 605hp and there's an overboosted torque peak of 553lb ft too, with 516lb ft the regular maximum. From 0-62mph, both performance models are two tenths quicker than the standard RS at 3.7 seconds, from where it just gets sillier still. Audi quotes 12.1 seconds to reach 124mph, a staggering time that's 1.4 seconds swifter than the regular cars. Twelve seconds! Fuel consumption and emissions are said to be unchanged, meaning 223g/km and 29.4mpg for the RS6 or 221g/km and 29.7mpg for the RS7.

Further tweaks beyond the standard cars include a drive select button on the steering wheel, new 21-inch cast aluminium wheels and 'carbon twill blue inlays'. Classy.

UK pricing isn't yet set for the performance models, Audi only confirming German RRPs of 117,000 euros for the RS7 and 121,700 for the RS6. The cars are available from November so expect more info soon. And if you can't wait until then, current RS6s are now available from less than £60,000. They're still pretty quick after all...

[sidesauce]

Moar powerrrrrr. I do like the RS6, it's a very handsome thing I must say.

[British Beef]

Finally more power. Exactly what the last one was totally short of!

While they are at it I hope they reduced the steering feel a little more.....

I wonder if this will be the last of the kind of RS6's before Audi starts adding electric motors to supplement the power and hybridise the range.

[Itsallicanafford]

Crickey...I've just bought a car with 103Bhp which seams ample to me.

[GTEYE]

We've got to the point where this German power war is actually becoming quite dull.

Are Audi's customers actually asking for this?

is the extra 45hp likely to be even noticed on a public road?

Edited by GTEYE on Thursday 22 October 12:37

[Amirhussain]

Nice!

[winshent]

Only 600bhp...

About time Audi took the RS6 to the next level... 700bhp..

[Captainawesome]

All good until the guy with the normal model but an MRC badge on the back turns up

[Cupramax]

Itsallicanafford said:

Crickey...I've just bought a car with 103Bhp which seams ample to me.

A seam, earlier.

[soad]

winshent said:

Only 600bhp...

About time Audi took the RS6 to the next level... 700bhp..

Can always tune it, warranty aside.

[Fetchez la vache]

winshent said:

Only 600bhp...

About time Audi took the RS6 to the next level... 700bhp..

Why?
Seriously, other than
a) Pub bragging rights
b) Because they can
c) Top trumps

Does it actually need it? Are the (real) customers actually saying it needs more?

[chungasarnies]

PH said:

Fuel consumption and emissions are said to be unchanged

[anonymous-user]

Rear end of the 7 still looks like a sad face though. Imagine that - it's pulling away from you rapidly, and all you can see for a few seconds is its sad face.

Such a shame.

[gregf40]

Fetchez la vache said:

Why?
Seriously, other than
a) Pub bragging rights
b) Because they can
c) Top trumps

Does it actually need it? Are the (real) customers actually saying it needs more?

Mine has been tuned at Litchfield to around 750hp.

The reality is it is a heavy car and can cope with the power without being 'silly' IMO.

[GTEYE]

gregf40 said:

Fetchez la vache said:

Why?
Seriously, other than
a) Pub bragging rights
b) Because they can
c) Top trumps

Does it actually need it? Are the (real) customers actually saying it needs more?

Mine has been tuned at Litchfield to around 750hp.

The reality is it is a heavy car and can cope with the power without being 'silly' IMO.

It would seem the customers are demanding more! Perhaps the next one should be pushing towards 1000, or why even stop there.

[TNH]

Both handsome cars these, think they pull off the Audi design philosophy (photocopier) the best out of the current range.

600bhp just seems absolutely crazy in an estate to me, not that I'm complaining because I'd have one in a heartbeat if I needed the space/ had enough £££ down the back of the sofa.

[Gus265]

Is it April fools day? No, so this is serious. 600 bhp?! And I know people like sleeper cars etc but it looks dull - where are the extended wheel arches?! This is all getting out of hand but have no fear, with Bugatti to be axed due to naughty diesel emissions shenanigans, they can probably drop some unused 1000bhp engines into the next one. An Estate car that could actually make the world turn the other way when you light up the tyres.

[MrBarry123]

[Itsallicanafford]

Cupramax said:

A seam, earlier.

Whoops!

[Amirhussain]

Fetchez la vache said:

winshent said:

Only 600bhp...

About time Audi took the RS6 to the next level... 700bhp..

Why?
Seriously, other than
a) Pub bragging rights
b) Because they can
c) Top trumps

Does it actually need it? Are the (real) customers actually saying it needs more?

I think winshent was being sarcastic.

[Catatafish]

GTEYE said:

We've got to the point where this German power war is actually becoming quite dull.

Are Audi's customers actually asking for this?

is the extra 45hp likely to be even noticed on a public road?

Edited by GTEYE on Thursday 22 October 12:37

They're quite sensitive to being "beaten". For example if you walk past one, they will accelerate to get in front of you for the sake of it. If you have the temerity to out accelerate their car, then this will cause a red-faced stress attack and they will boot it until two or three times the speed limit.

Therefore, Herr RS6 "performance" will have a little cry if a normal RS6 goes past him on the road, so it must have noticably more power.