Audi RS 7 Sportback

Storming 592bhp four-door coupé is better than ever

THE latest Audi S models have made the switch to diesel, but the Germans know that nothing beats the feeling of a brawny petrol V8 – so that’s what you’ll find under the bonnet of the new RS 7 Sportback.

Still, the RS 7 will have to work hard, and not just because a projected £90,000 price tag makes it over £20k more expensive than the diesel S7. An RS 6 Avant is also on the way; the closest rival for this sleek five-door coupé has always been the practical estate.

The RS 7 gets the jump on its stablemate, though, because the RS 6 won’t arrive until next year. The 4.0-litre unit in both cars makes 39bhp more than before (592bhp), while the 800Nm of torque gives it a full 100Nm of extra pull. There’s a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, too, although that’s more for cutting consumption than improving performance.

A recalibrated eight-speed auto handles gearshifts, and the usual quattro all-wheel drive system is present and correct. It’s managed by a centre differential that can adjust the front-rear torque split, sending as much as 85 per cent to the rear wheels.

The RS 7 starts with a rumble, but the V8 is relatively muted otherwise – probably sensible for a car that’s more likely to stalk motorways than B-roads. A glorious bellow can be heard under hard acceleration though, and the RS 7 charges hard; there’s an insistent, linear surge from idle all the way to the red line, giving the car a very different feel to the diesel S7.

Officially the RS 7 is good for 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds, and UK cars can have the limiter raised as an option. Either way you’ll be glad of the strong brakes; the 420mm front discs and 10-piston calipers really do their job.

Those huge 22-inch wheels could be ruinous for ride quality, but on the few scabbier sections of road we found there was remarkably little commotion. And while the old RS 7 felt a little inert in the corners, the new model offers a marked improvement.

The steering is light, but it’s direct and consistent, and an active rear axle really helps point the nose through each turn. Understeer is basically absent, mid-corner grip is huge, and on dry roads at least, traction is never an issue. You can occasionally feel the car’s 2,065kg kerbweight, but to Audi’s credit, the RS 7 hides its bulk remarkably well.

“The RS 7 Sportback has an insistent, linear surge from idle all the way to the red line”

Audi has gone to great lengths to make RS 7 more agile and rewarding, and it shows DRIVING The 22-inch wheels could be bad for ride comfort, but there was little cause for concern – even over rougher surfaces. RS 7 is much more involving to drive than the old model

It’s the top-spec model, so RS 7 is loaded with hi-tech touchscreens and gadgets

COMFORT Rear-seat space is good, but you’ll need to select the three-seat rear bench if you want to carry a full set of passengers. The 535-litre boot is generous and has a wide tailgate