2020 Audi RS7 Sportback (2nd Gen)

Audi RS6 and RS7 Performance (2023) Price & Specs

The new Audi RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback Performance derivatives have touched down in South Africa, each boasting a heady 463 kW. Here’s how much these V8-powered monsters will cost you…

The new Audi RS6 Avant Performance and Audi RS7 Sportback Performance have arrived in South Africa, each offering more power, faster acceleration and less cabin insulation than their respective forebears. Interestingly, their launch furthermore sees the “standard” models fall away.

So, how much will they cost you? Well, the RS6 Avant Performance is priced from R2 332 700, while the RS7 Sportback Performance starts at R2 444 500. For the record, that’s a premium of R78 100 over the outgoing standard model in each case.

Revealed in November 2022, the new Performance-badged flagship derivatives each employ an uprated version of the Ingolstadt-based firm’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine. While the outgoing version of this 8-cylinder motor makes 441 kW and 800 Nm, the iteration used in the freshly minted Performance variants upgrades to larger turbochargers and features an increase in boost pressure.

How much do the Audi RS6 and RS7 Performance cost in SA?

Audi RS6 Avant Performance – R2 332 700

Audi RS7 Sportback Performance – R2 444 500

The prices above include a 1-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

 
Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback Performance Editions Pricing for South Africa

The more potent Audi RS 6 Avant Performance and RS 7 Sportback Performance will be making their way to South Africa and as expected they carry a premium over the standard offerings.

Local pricing:

Audi RS 6 Avant performance: R2,332,700
Audi RS 7 Sportback performance: R2,444,500

Pricing above is inclusive of the optional 5 year/100,000km Audi Freeway Plan.

The potent twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine now packs 621 hp (463 kW) and a maximum torque of 850 Nm. Customer deliveries of these two new models will commence in South Africa during the month of July, with the public being able to experience these models at the Audi driving experience from September 2023 onwards.

Larger turbochargers and an increase in boost pressure allow an increase of 22 kW in engine power and 50 Nm more torque compared to the base versions. This means a total increase in power from 441 kW to 463 kW 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 previous versions.

Reduced insulation between the engine compartment, the interior, and the rear of the vehicle ensures the RS 6 Avant performance and the RS 7 Sportback performance will thrill customers with an exciting, next-level sound experience.

 
Audi RS 6 and RS 7 Performance models hit SA with 463kW, and priced below rivals

The new Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback Performance have been unleashed in South Africa and they’re the most potent four-ringed models ever to go on sale locally.

The Audi RS 6 Avant Performance will set you back R2 332 700 while the RS 7 Sportback Performance is yours for R2 444 500, and first customer deliveries for the new wagon and three-box hatch will commence this month.

For the record, their (albeit indirect) sedan rivals are more expensive, with the BMW M5 Competition currently listed at R2 547 466 and the Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic costing R2 670 479.

While it’s certainly true that even the regular Audi RS 6 and RS 7 are ‘performance’ models of the highest order, the ‘Performance’ moniker attached to the latest editions extracts even more potency from Audi’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 powerplant.

The Performance models produce 463kW and 850Nm, which is an increase of 22kW and 50Nm over the regular RS 6 and RS 7. Thanks to this, customers can look forward to a 0-100km/h blast taking place in just 3.4 seconds, which is a 0.2 second improvement, albeit still 0.1s shy of the electric RS e-tron and 0.2s behind the lighter R8 V10 Performance.

The new Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback Performance models are sold with a five-year or 100 000km Audi Freeway Plan, which can be unbundled.

Pricing (July 2023):

Audi RS 6 Avant Performance Quattro - R2 332 700

Audi RS 7 Sportback Performance Quattro - R2 444 500

 
ABT has given the Audi RS7 Sportback 750bhp. About time

Storied German tuner finally gives the RS7 some real, quantifiable performance

ABT Sportsline has revealed its tuning upgrade for the Audi RS7 Sportback called the ‘Legacy Edition’, which exactly mirrors the boost it gave the Audi RS6 Avant just over two months ago. And once again, the German tuner has delivered where Audi has so singularly underdelivered.

Because of course the standard RS7 Sportback is almost comically underpowered, its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 wheezing out 621bhp. ABT, not the hero Audi deserves but the one it needs right now, has stepped in to give the niche performance hatchback enough poke to get out of its own way.

There’s a new set of ABT’s own turbochargers and intercoolers – Audi famously pretty poor at this kind of stuff – along with better air routing of the “optimised” air intake grilles, all topped off and tailed by a new ECU. Mercifully, the car now produces 750bhp and 723lb ft.

ABT reckons its Legacy Edition RS7 is able to complete the 0-62mph sprint in 3.1s – a full half second quicker over the infamously slothful factory RS7 Sportback’s 3.6s sprint time. Naturally, ABT LE owners will not want any association with that listless car, so the upgraded version boasts better suspension (ABT coilovers and stabilisers across both axles), and much better 22in forged rims.

 
The one comment got me:

RIP Headphones :laugh:
Doug got a bit much for me. I'm not sure who this lady is but this is one of the worst car reviews I've seen in a long time. Everything was just off.
 
Tuner ABT has gifted the Audi RS7 a beige paintjob… and 986bhp

Inoffensive body colour hides really quite offensive amounts of road-legal power

Clearly appealing to the hitherto untapped market of ‘bored pensioners with a penchant for thousand-horsepower-German-hatchbacks’ comes ABT’s latest offering. Yes, it’s yet another stupendously modified Audi RS7 called the ‘Legacy Edition’.

Only, it is commendably beige and commendably insane, two traits never before combined in a high-end performance car. For this, TopGear.com salutes whomever specced the show car because frankly, there simply aren’t enough beige two-hundred-grand modified Audis in the world.

This one deploys fancy tech for the additional boost. ABT dubs it ‘indirect water/ethanol injection’, fitted ahead of the two throttle valves to cool the engine, allowing more air from the already-upgraded turbos running off already-upgraded intercoolers to be stuffed into the already-upgraded cylinders. Ergo, a not-at-all-beige output.
Or 986bhp – 1,000PS – as ABT calls it, coupled to 848lb ft of torque. It builds on ABT’s Legacy Edition package revealed earlier this year, including better pistons and rods and pins and an exhaust and so on.

 
Review: Updated Audi RS 7 Sportback Performance

Verdict

While it may not emulate the driving experience of a Porsche or Mercedes, the Audi carves out its own unique identity, setting it apart from the competition. It offers a distinct balance and feel, catering to those seeking something different in the automotive world. Having the opportunity to drive both vehicles back to back, it’s evident that the new RS 7 exudes a purer and more muscular persona compared to its predecessor. With its sculpted and bespoke body, it boasts an unmistakable aura of aggression and intimidation that makes it a formidable presence on the road.

 
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