2018 Audi RS 7

The base model RS 7 costs $113,900, offering 560 horsepower under the hood, the 4-liter V-8 engine loves to rev and is a joy to drive. There is now a performance version available too, which offers more power and sportier equipment for a slightly higher price.

Audi offers the 2018 RS 7 in mainly two specifications: 4.0 TFSI and 4.0 TFSI Performance. The 4.0 TFSI comes with a 4-liter Turbocharged V8 engine that generates a zesty 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

The second trim is the Performance trim which is equipped with the similar engine but it generates more torque and more power. The Performance engine produces 605 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.

Trims	4.0 TFSI	4.0 TFSI Performance
MSRP	$113,900	$130,700
Features	Adaptive sport-tuned air suspension Basic collision mitigation system Blind-spot warning Power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors Sunroof Keyless ignition and entry Eight-way power front sports seats with four-way lumbar, heating and driver seat memory Power-adjustable sports steering wheel Head-up display Leather upholstery featuring special RS honeycomb stitching Rearview camera and a corner-view camera system MMI electronics interface Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system	Carbon-ceramic brakes Dynamic Ride Control 21-inch cast-aluminum wheels Unique bumper design Gloss-black grille surround Black tailpipes Carbon-fiber mirror housings Audi Sports Titanium exhaust

Both the engine types are coupled with an 8-speed transmission and are available in an all-time all-wheel drive.

Our recommendation for the best trim

If you are the kind of person who enjoys a simple, quiet drive around the neighborhood, then our recommendation for you is the standard version, which offers plenty of power and equipment for your money. The stereo is brilliant, the ride quality plush. But if you are the kind of person who likes to tear down the highway at triple-digit speeds, then nothing should stop you from buying the more powerful performance trim. The additional power sweetens the deal, and with that sports titanium exhaust, you won't be listening to the stereo anyways.

"The 560-hp RS 7 was already one of the quickest sedans in the world, and the 605-hp RS 7 Performance raises the bar further. It also gets a more sophisticated suspension and better brakes. Then again, the RS 7 is still pretty spectacular to drive without them."- Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

Audi RS 7 belongs to Audi’s Performance stable and therefore, it gets a lusty powertrain to give you the joy of pure racing car.

The RS 7 has two engine options. The first is the base engine, a 4-liter V8 unit, that produces 560 Horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to an 8-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. The second is the performance version, in which the same engine is in a higher state of tune, producing 605 hp and 553 lb.-ft of torque. The RS 7 also comes with Audi’s trademark Quattro four-wheel drive, which distributes power to both the front and rear wheels as per the requirement.

Models	Audi RS 7	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	BMW M6 Gran Coupe
MSRP	$113,900	$150,000	$108,900	$119,800
Engine	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 4.0 L/244	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 4.0 L/244	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 5.5 L/333	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 4.4 L/268
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed dual-clutch Automatic	9-Speed Automatic	7-Speed M Double Clutch Automatic
Power	560hp @ 5700	550hp @ 5750	550hp @ 5500	560hp @ 6000
Torque	516 lb.-ft. @ 1750	567 lb.-ft. @ 1960	531 lb.-ft. @ 1750	500 lb.-ft. @ 1500

All the cars in this category use V-8 engine configuration. Porsche and Audi use smaller 4-liter twin turbo V8 engines, while the Mercedes uses a 5.5-liter twin turbo motor, the largest in this comparison. The BMW M Gran Coupe sits in the middle with a 4.4-liter motor.

In the Engine and Transmission category, the Audi wins hands down due to its high power and torque figures.

Acceleration

Audi RS 7 has extremely impressive acceleration times. It takes a mere 3.9 seconds to reach 60 mph while for the quarter-mile run, it takes 11.3 seconds. The powerful Audi 4 liter motor bellows when you pin the pedal down. The all-wheel-drive Quattro system ensures that you always have a grip when you need it. The V-8 engine, even though it’s turbocharged, will never let you experience any power lag in the RS 7.

Models	Audi RS 7	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	BMW M6 Gran Coupe
0-60 MPH	3.9 sec	3.8 sec	3.5 sec	4.1 sec
Quarter mile	11.3 sec	11.5 sec	11.6 sec	11.9 sec
Engine	4.0L	4.0L	5.5L	4.4L
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	10.4	8.4	9.8	7.7

The Mercedes has the best acceleration, taking 3.5 seconds to reach 60 Mph from a standstill. The roll-on acceleration is a bit slower though, as it loses on the quarter mile. The Porsche’s Panamera reaches takes less time than Audi RS 7 to reach 60 mph but is slower when it comes to quarter-mile run. The BMW loses out in terms of acceleration to all its rivals.

Braking and Handling

These premium luxury cars get the best brakes in business. The Audi RS 7 has an impressive set of disk brakes at the front (15.4 inches) and at the rear too (14 inches). The 2018 Audi RS 7 weighs a hefty 4497 pounds making it the heaviest car of the lot, but it still comes to halt faster than its rivals. The RS 7 is a pure sports sedan and its handling is as stellar as its performance. The car sports a flat-bottom steering which is quite light and responds well on low as well as higher speeds. The body roll is minimal and the car drives excellently along the pavements and on sharp turns.

Models	Audi RS 7	Porsche Panamera	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	BMW M6 Gran Coupe
Brake Front(in)	15.4	16.1	14.2	13.7
Brake Rear(in)	14	15	14.2	13.6
Curb weight(lbs.)	4497	4398	4420	4430
60-0 MPH (ft.)	101	111	113	108

The Audi RS 7 is the fastest to come to a standstill from 60 Mph while the Porsche Panamera loses out to most of the competitors even after sporting bigger brakes and being the lightest car. The BMW M6 is second only to RS 7 while the CLS 63 S has the least effective braking. The Panamera and Audi RS 7 have the best-in-class handling as both cars drive pretty glued to the road and the suspensions road adaptability makes is even better.

The RS 7 manages a decent economy run as well, achieving 14 mpg in the city, and 24 mpg on the highway, averaging at about 19 miles per gallon. The fuel economy is surprising for these big bulky luxury cars, as they are built for show and go, not for saving fuel. Audi RS 7, with its TFSI engine, manages to give the customers the best of both worlds.

Models	Audi RS 7	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	BMW M6 Gran Coupe
MPG (city)	14	18	16	14
MPG (highway)	24	25	22	20
MPG (combined)	19	21	19	17

The Porsche Panamera is the most fuel-efficient car, which is surprising since it is built as a sports car and sports cars aren’t meant to be efficient. The reason might be the curb weight, as the Porsche is the lightest car in this comparison. The surprises continue, as the BMW M6 loses the battle for fuel efficiency, being the least efficient car here. The Mercedes Benz AMG CLS 63 S ties with the Audi RS 7 in terms of fuel efficiency.

"Front occupants will be greeted by a large amount of cabin space, with plenty of leg- and head-room. Taller rear occupants, however, will find that if they adopt the most comfortable position in the rear seats their head will either be touching or brushing the roof. Otherwise, the rear seats are supportive and a centre folding armrest and air-con controls improve comfort further."- Autocar

Seating and Comfort

Audi's interior is impressive and pretty luxurious considering it is a sports sedan. The front seats offer great comfort with extra bolstering. The suspension absorbs most of the bumps easily making the ride comfortable. Rear passengers might find the headroom a bit low but still, it is quite comfy at the back. There is plenty of shoulder room inside the car and the long wheelbase provides more legroom.

Models	Audi RS 7	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	BMW M6 Gran Coupe
Passenger capacity	4	4	4	4
Passenger Volume(ft. cube)	84.7	85.4	104.3	82.0
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.9/57.2/41.3	37.9/54.6/43.1	36.9/57.1/42.1	40.6/56.7/42.1
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.6/55.9/37	34.5/52.0/32.4	36.1/56.5/35	37/54.6/35.3

Some of the standard features include:

• Leather Upholstery
• 4-way Lumbar seat for passengers
• 12-way power adjustable
• Rear AC Vents

Infotainment

The Audi RS 7 comes equipped with a 7-inch Audi Connect MMI infotainment system. The screen is bright and generates crisp colors. The Infotainment system is paired with extraordinary speakers from Bose®. The touchscreen responds well and is loaded with intuitive features. Some standard features include:

• 14-Speaker audio
• SD card support up to 64GB
• Head-up Display with navigation
• Parking system with rear-view camera

Cargo volume

These luxury coupes manage a lot of things, but fitting cargo in the boot isn't one of them. The Audi RS 7 though breaks the tradition here by offering massive cargo space. There is a total of 24.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity which is the best in its class.

Models	Audi RS 7	Porsche Panamera	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	BMW M6 Gran Coupe
Volume (ft. cube)	24.5	17.4	11	13

The Panamera has a better boot than others in the segment, while the Mercedes and the BMW disappoint with their tiny boot space, which is not capable of holding much of your luggage or cargo.

"There’s a simplicity and elegance in their designs lacking in rivals, even when they’re all dolled up with aggressive body kits. From the front, the S7 isn’t much different than Audi’s S6, which has a meaner snout than the basic A6. The difference starts with its roofline that dives more aggressively toward an elongated tail that tapers off gently into clean tail lamps. The RS 7 doesn’t differ dramatically, but its front and rear fascias are slightly more aggressive and it has its own wheel designs."- TheCarConnection

Dimensions and weight

Talking about the dimensions, the Audi RS 7 is surely not the longest or widest car but surely is the heaviest as compared to its rivals. With that V8 engine onboard, the car weighs 4497 pounds.  The wheelbase is quite long, providing better stability to the car and also adds up to the legroom. The ground clearance is low which is fine as it is a sports sedan and not an SUV.

Models	Audi RS 7	Porsche Panamera Turbo	Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S	BMW M6 Gran Coupe
curb weight (lbs.)	4497	4398	4420	4430
Length (in)	197.3	198.8	196.7	197.5
Width (in)	75.2	76.3	74.1	74.8
Height (in)	55.9	56.1	55.4	54.9
Ground clearance (in)	4.3	5.4	4.7	4.3
Wheelbase (in)	114.8	116.1	113.2	116.9
Track width (in) F/R	64.3/64	65.2/64.5	64/63.3	63.2/65.8

The CLS 63 S has by far the largest engine it still manages to keep its bulk in check at 4420 pounds. The Porsche Panamera is the winner in terms of dimensions. All the cars here have very commanding stances and road presence. The ground clearance is almost the same for all these cars, and you would manage to not scrape on most speed breakers.

Exterior features

The Audi RS 7 is one of the most equipped car ever. Some of its standard features are:

• Daytime running LEDs
• Honeycomb design front grill
• New Sport Exhaust
• Retracting Spoiler

Luxury should never be at the cost of safety. Thus, Audi offers plenty of safety features on the RS 7, all of which keep the passengers safe and sound, helping both in preventing an accident, or protecting the passengers in case prevention doesn’t work. There are some pretty impressive options available too, in case you would like to opt for a few extras for a few extra bucks.

The RS 7 offers all the basic safety features that we’ve come to expect from every modern car in the world. These features are:

• Driver Air Bag

• Front Side Air Bag

• Brake Assist

• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors

• Lane Departure Warning

• Rear-view camera

• Passenger Air Bag

• Rear Side Air Bag

• Electronic Stability Control

• Traction Control

• Lane Keeping Assist

• Front and rear parking sensors,

Standard Tech Safety Features list includes advanced safety equipment like Pre Sense Basic, Pre Sense Rear, a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane change assist, and blind spot monitoring.

Optional Tech Safety Features offers even more advanced equipment such as

• Adaptive cruise control
• Pre-Sense Front, Pre-Sense Plus
• lane keep assist
• Night vision camera
• Head-up display
• Corner-view camera
• Forward collision warning with automatic braking.

The IIHS and NHTSA have not yet rated the RS 7, but from Audi's standards, you can expect that the RS 7 will perform excellently in these stats.

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S Vs Audi RS 7

The CLS 63 S is an extremely flashy car and can be pure bonkers at times, something the other cars in the comparison can’t match no matter what. It is a pure tire shredding, power sliding, ultimate track car. But the RS 7 has an edge over the CLS 63 S with way better performance, more features, and better interior.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe Vs Audi RS 7

In the past, we wouldn’t have needed a comparison at all. The crown would have automatically been given to the BMW; such was the reputation of its cars. But now, the Bavarian car giant has been slipping behind in the game. No longer do their cars deserve the label of the ultimate driving machine. The M6, even though it manages to put a smile on your face every time you drive it, simply falls behind the Audi RS 7 in every aspect.

Porsche Panamera Vs Audi RS 7

As for the Porsche, it is a great choice for people who want to make a statement, who want to be unique, who want to own a German luxury sedan without having to buy any of the three obvious choices mentioned above. It doesn’t look appealing, neither it has exceptional performance, but it offers great comfort and excellent ride quality. Although the Porsche cars are known for their performance, the Panamera falls short of expectation. If you want better performance, Audi RS 7 is the better choice.

Audi RS 7 is a mighty impressive car with the bite to back its bark. It offers a bang for your buck and is the best value for money in this segment. The Audi RS 7 excels in performance, interior, features, intuitive technology, and even in terms of looks. The car looks aggressive yet astonishing and its aerodynamic design makes it look like it is built for the race track. The Audi RS 7 brutally outclasses its opponents in every aspect and is the best option for those who want performance, comfort, interior, and intuitive tech suit in their car.