2018 Audi RS 7

The Audi RS7 is offered in two trim levels that feature the same engine but with different power outputs. The standard Audi RS7 4.0 TSFI is already an excellent car to drive. The Performance trim adds more power and other performance bits to enhance the driving experience of the car. The standard features with the 2018 Audi RS7 include 21-inch wheels, LED headlights, automatic wipers, adaptive sport-tuned air suspension, variable-ratio sport steering, keyless ignition and entry, 8-inch Audi MMI touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system.

The Performance trim along with the extra power adds 21-inch cast-aluminum wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, dynamic ride control, different bumper design, gloss-black grille surround, black tailpipes, and carbon-fiber mirror housings.

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The standard variant of the Audi RS7 has enough performance to entertain the enthusiasts out on the track. The performance of the car is not an issue at all even with the base version. But for those who want that extra power boost and the upgraded brakes along with other performance upgrades with the Performance trim and budget is not a concern can go for the Performance trim level. You can also equip the Audi RS7 with the Driver Assistance Package for better safety. 

The 2018 Audi RS7 is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo Premium V-8 engine. The same engine also powers the Porsche Panamera Turbo. The engine remains the same for both trim levels of the Audi RS7. The motor manages to produce a maximum power of 560 horsepower and a peak torque of 516 lb-ft. The power figures are already among the best in the class for a four-door sedan. If you want even more power, you can get the Performance trim which produces 605 horsepower while the torque output remains the same. The engine comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission which sends power to all four wheels. 

No matter which trims level you select, the Audi RS7 will always keep a big smile on your face whenever you take it out for a spin. The car will push you back in the seats when you press the gas paddle. The Performance things make things even better with the extra power it offers. The standard Audi RS7 takes only 3.6 seconds to reach from 0 to 60 miles per hour which are already among the best in its class. The things get even better with the Performance trim as it takes only 3.2 seconds to achieve the same speed. 

The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S is the fastest car in the segment in the 0 to 60 mph sprint with a small margin. However, the Audi RS7 is ahead of all its rival in the quarter-mile race. The performance is quite impressive from all the cars in the comparison and none of them can be termed as slow by any means. The BMW M6 Gran Coupe which happens to be the slowest car to reach 0 to 60 mph takes only 4.1 seconds which is not at all slow by any means. 

How well does the 2018 Audi RS7 handle?

The handling of the 2018 Audi RS7 is impressive considering it is an Audi. The adaptive suspension allows you to change between the driving modes depending on the driving situation. There is a driving mode to drive comfortably in the city when the steering wheel is light and the suspension goes to comfort mode to tackle the road imperfections. The Dynamic mode changes everything and the steering wheel gains weight. The steering becomes more precise and offers great feedback in the Dynamic mode. The same goes for the suspension setup as it stiffens up to provide better agility.

The Audi RS7 has good enough driving dynamics to make use of the immense power on offer. However, it is not the best handling sedans in the segment. Some of the other rivals are ahead of the Audi RS7 in the handling department and are better in overall driving dynamics. The Audi RS7 shines when it comes to the ride quality of the car. It manages to handle the road undulations pretty well and offers a comfortable ride to the passengers. 

2018 Audi RS7 Braking Performance

The braking performance of the Audi RS7 is as good as the performance of the car. It gets massive brake calipers that are clearly visible when you look at the wheels. The front wheels of the car get 15.4-inch brake rotors while the rear wheels get 14-inch brake rotors. The braking hardware is quite capable and Audi has calibrated it pretty well. The brakes offer positive bite and feel progressive. The braking distance is also excellent for the segment as it manages to stop the car from 60 mph to a standstill in just 101 feet. 

The Audi RS7 does not get the biggest braking hardware in the segment but the braking performance is among the best in the class. The Audi RS7 offers the best braking distance in the competition at 101 feet. The BMW M6 Gran Coupe comes second in terms of braking distance with a braking distance of 108 feet. The Porsche Panamera Turbo gets the biggest brake and is also the lightest of the lot, but the braking distance is not as good as the Audi and the Bimmer. 

The fuel economy will not be a prime focus of the buyers in this segment. The Audi RS7 does not offer excellent fuel economy figures. However, the fuel efficiency of the car is at par with the rivals. The Audi RS7 returns 14 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg of combined fuel efficiency. The real-life fuel economy figures depend a lot on the way you drive the car as the performance on reserve will provoke you to push the car harder. The Audi RS7 gets a 19.8-gallon fuel tank which helps it deliver a maximum highway range of 475 miles.

The Porsche Panamera Turbo is the ultimate king in the fuel economy department. It also gets the biggest fuel tank in the segment which helps it deliver a class-leading highway range of 593 miles. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S comes seconds in fuel economy and the range. The Audi RS7 also manages respectable numbers and offers a decent economy and range for the segment. 

The interior of the Audi RS7 is on par with any other Audi model out there at the price point which is a good thing. The interior layout feels simple and there is not much drama going on there. The quality feels premium and everything feels premium to touch. The simplistic black interior layout feels sporty and will keep feeling like new even after years of use. The cabin is designed smartly and offers great practicality for the segment. 

The dashboard gets soft-touch materials along with brushed aluminum and carbon fiber materials. The same goes on the door of the car and carbo fiber is quite evident inside the cabin which uplifts the experience. The space is not an issue in the front seats and the ergonomics are also well taken care of. The space at the rear is also quite impressive for the segment. However, the headroom could be slightly better for the rear passengers. 

The Audi RS7 offers a practical and premium cabin that also looks and feels good. It also offers the best cargo area in the segment with a significant margin. The Porsche Panamera Turbo offers the best legroom in the first row and the least in the second row. It comes at second position in the cargo area department with a relatively bigger cargo capacity of 17.4 cubic feet. The Merc gets the smallest cargo capacity of 11 cubic feet in the segment. 

Standout interior features:

• 8-way power-adjustable front seats 
• Memory seats for the driver
• Power-adjustable steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Cruise control
• Day-night auto-dimming rearview mirror

2018 Audi RS7 Infotainment 

The infotainment system is one area that might disappoint the buyers as the Audi RS7 does not get the best infotainment system in Audi’s lineup which is expected at this price point. The Audi RS7 gets an 8-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system standard with the car. The screen supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for better connectivity with your smartphone. It also gets 3 month free trial of the SiriusXM satellite radio standard with the infotainment system. The audio is managed via a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. You can upgrade to an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system for an even better music experience. 

Standout infotainment features:

• 8-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlay
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system

The exterior style of the Audi RS7 remains unchanged for a while with minor updates. However, it is not a bad thing at all and the car just looks stunning when you look at it from any angle. The exterior design of the Audi RS7 never gets old. The signature LED headlights with the daytime running lights to give a sense of the modern Audi design language. The massive black grille at the front with the RS7 badge in red makes the overall front stance aggressive and sporty. 

As you move down at the front, the Audi RS7 gets functional vents around the foglights and it also gets a lip spoiler to make the design even more elegant. The side gets beautiful 21-inch alloy wheels with massive brake calipers. The rear end of the Audi RS7 gets a well-proportioned design. The rear looks more like a hatchback than a sedan which enhances the practicality of the car. 

The Porsche Panamera Turbo is the longest and the widest sedan in the segment. The height of the Panamera Turbo is also better than all the other rivals. It also gets the best ground clearance of the lot. The BMW M6 Gran Coupe has a slightly longer wheelbase compared to the Panamera Turbo. The Audi RS7 has a relatively shorter wheelbase and the ground clearance is identical to the BMW M6 Gran Coupe.

Standout exterior features:

• 21-inch wheels
• LED headlights with DRLs
• Carbon fiber auto-dimming side mirrors
• Rain-detecting wipers
• Remote keyless entry
• Power spoiler
• LED Brakelights

The Audi RS7 gets one of the best safety features as standard with the car. Audi has a good reputation for the safety of their cars and the RS7 is no exception. The Audi RS7 gets an impressive list of standard safety features. The car is not crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the buyers need not worry about the safety of their family in an RS7. The only downside is that the advanced driver assistance features are not standard and you need to pay extra to add the same. 

The safety features include:

• Traction control
• Electronic stability control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot assist
• Front-collision warning
• Audi pre-sense basic and Audi pre-sense rear

Audi RS7 vs. Porsche Panamera Turbo

The Audi RS7 and the Porsche Panamera belong to the same family. They also share the same engine with different sets of tunes. The Porsche Panamera comes out as a more sporty option between the two with better driving dynamics. The fuel economy of the Porsche Panamera Turbo is also better than the Audi. The Audi RS7 scores slightly better in practicality. However, the Porsche Panamera Turbo is a better overall sports sedan.

Audi RS7 vs. Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S

The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S is one of the strong names in the comparison for the kind of performance it offers. The driving dynamics of the Merc are also better than the RS7. The AMG CLS 63 S is a better option if you are looking for an ultimate track car. However, the Audi RS7 offers better practicality and a more comfortable interior design. 

Audi RS7 vs. BMW M6 Gran Coupe

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe no longer has the same amount of precision we associate the BMW brand with. The M6 Gran Coupe has lost its crown as the ultimate driver’s car as it does not offer the same driving dynamics anymore. The Audi RS7 takes over the BMW M6 Gran Coupe in most aspects and offers a better overall package for your money. 

The 2018 Audi RS7 finds its balance between being an ultimate performance machine and an excellent car for being your daily driver. The Audi RS7 offers mind-boggling performance even with its base configuration. The cabin feels premium and is designed smartly to provide great comfort. The Audi RS7 deserves to be on your list if you are looking for a potent four-door sedan.