Audi RS7 Sportback

The new Audi RS7 Sportback is not only fast but has charming ethics that make it a head turner. Its body has up to 20% aluminium and many parts of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels. Its high rigidity is the foundation for the precise handling, excellent workmanship and quiet cabin free of intrusive noise. 

Audi RS7 Sportback

Its sporty design consists of distinctive bumpers and high-gloss black protective grille with honeycomb structure at the front of the car as well as add-on parts in matt aluminium. At the rear of the car, which features a power extending spoiler, the diffuser and the two large, elliptical tailpipe trims of the exhaust system catch the eye. Two styling packages - matt aluminium and carbon - further customize the appearance. With these, the front centre air inlet also sports a Quattro badge. With the carbon styling package, the front splitter and the diffuser are somewhat more boldly shaped. Other options include the exterior mirrors with exposed carbon housings and the all-LED headlights, whose designer trims are tinted for a unique look.

Three spoke steering wheel

Under the bonnet of the large five-door coupe is a new 4.0 litre V8 TFSI engine producing 560hp and an impressive 700Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. On standard configuration Audi will accelerate to a limited top speed of 250km/. Add the dynamic package and the top speed is raised to 280km/h. Press the accelerator pedal further, with the dynamic plus package, and the car will hit a top speed of 305km/h. Despite its outstanding performance the car only needs 9.8litres of fuel to cover 100km. 

Lowered body

The engine achieves its impressive fuel consumption thanks to an innovative technology called Cylinder On Demand (COD). At low speeds to medium loads, the system deactivates cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8 by closing their valves. The 4.0 TFSI then runs as a four-cylinder engine until the driver accelerates more strongly again. The operating points in the active cylinders are displaced toward higher loads, increasing efficiency. Mated to the engine is an eight-speed tiptronic is specially tuned to the sporty character of the RS7 Sportback. Drivers can choose between the modes D and S or change gears themselves using the shift paddles on the steering wheel or the selector lever, which sports a unique RS design. While the lower gears of the tiptronic are closely spaced for sporty response, eighth gear is tall like an overdrive to reduce fuel consumption. The car rides on standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive for its decisive advantage in traction and driving safety.

Aggressive front

At the heart of the quattro system is a center differential with a high locking rate and separate oil cooler to regulate its temperature. It distributes the power as needed within a wide range between the front and rear axles. In the standard configuration, 60 percent flows to the rear and 40 percent to the front. The RS7 comes with polished, 20-inch forged lightweight wheels in a seven twin-spoke design. Optional 21-inch cast wheels are also available.

Comfortable rear seats

Powerful brakes are located behind the large wheels. The four internally vented discs feature a weight-saving wave design. Equipped with the air suspension, which harmonizes perfectly with the dynamic character of a sport coupe, the new RS7 is sporty, yet still comfortable. Its adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20 millimeters. Audi offers the taut sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control (DRC) as an alternative to the air suspension. 

RS influenced cockpit

The elegant exterior dynamics are carried over to the cockpit of the four door coupe. The dial instruments have black faces, white scales and red needles. A flat-bottomed, three-spoke leather steering wheel is also visible. The illuminated door entry sills and the displays for the MMI and driver information system also sport RS badges. The driver information system includes a shift light, which indicates when the rev limit is reached. Carbon inlays are standard, with four additional materials available as options. The headlining comes standard in black cloth, with options for lunar silver or black Alcantara. Of course, the Audi RS7 Sportback can also be personalized using the Audi exclusive program.

RS7 door slits

RS sport seats with pronounced side bolsters, integrated head restraints and RS7 logos are standard. They are covered in a combination of black Alcantara and leather, and the center sections feature diamond quilting. The seats can also be covered alternatively in high-grade, honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar silver. Audi offers optional power-adjustable comfort seats with memory function. The two rear seats are powerfully contoured. Luggage capacity ranges from 535 to 1,390 liters depending on the position of the rear seat backs. 

Still as practical as before

The RS7 comes with a generous list of standard equipment, including xenon plus headlights, a tire pressure monitoring system, the parking system plus, three-zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control and the Audi sound system in addition to features mentioned previously. High-end options include a head-up display, a comfort package, the dynamic package and the dynamic package plus. The Bluetooth online car phone is an ideal complement to the standard MMI navigation plus. Its UMTS module delivers the tailored Audi connect services to the on-board monitor, and a WLAN hotspot connects the passengers' mobile devices. Topping the range of audio modules is the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen. 

Large exhaust that bring out the V8 soundtrack

A host of safety systems are available for the RS7 Sportback. There is the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function including Audi pre sense front. This keeps the powerful coupe at the proper distance from the car ahead and in many situations can help to avoid accidents or mitigate their consequences. Audi active lane assist helps the driver to keep the Audi RS7 Sportback on course. The park assist handles the steering when parking. The night vision assistant with highlighting of detected persons reduces the stress of driving in the dark. Audi side assist and the speed limit display round out the list.

Large rear diffuser

Prices have not been released yet. I bet if you tick all the option in the list that price might come to a total of $100,000 (Kshs 12 million).