2017 Audi RS 7 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What’s new

　　For 2017, the Audi RS 7 has a new Performance version that boasts more power from the V8 and carbon-ceramic brakes. Otherwise, the RS 7 carries over largely unchanged. Minor updates include the addition of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility and a handful of new wheel and styling choices. Last year's optional dynamic sport suspension is no longer available.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Think four doors are an inherent compromise among high-performance cars? Think again.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Audi RS 7 Prestige quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$242/mo  for RS 7 Prestige quattro

　　RS 7 Prestige quattro

　　Prestige quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $110,700 MSRPperformance Prestige quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $129,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　The 2017 Audi RS 7 will have you rethinking everything you know about cars with four doors. With a 560-horsepower turbo V8, an advanced all-wheel-drive system and seductive styling, the RS 7 is a genuine thrill ride that just happens to have room for four adults and their luggage.

　　You could, however, say much the same about the "regular" S7, which packs a twin-turbo V8 of its own and costs a whole lot less. So what exactly do you get for that extra suitcase full of cash?

　　For one thing, the RS 7 packs an additional 110 horsepower on top of the 450-hp engine used in the S7. The RS 7 also has unique exterior and interior trim elements, including gaping front air intakes that project a slightly sinister look. There's also an eight-speed conventional automatic transmission in place of the S7's seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual.

　　Yes, you read that right: The ultra-alpha RS 7 uses a standard automatic transmission. Although the dual-clutch gearbox generally serves duty inAudi's sportiest models (including the exotic R8), it couldn't handle the RS 7's increased torque output, so a regular automatic had to suffice.

　　Nonetheless, you probably won't be pining away for a different transmission when you're sprinting to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. If the 2017 Audi RS 7 isn't the fastest four-door on the planet, it's certainly in the conversation, and that's the name of the game in this league. The S7 is roughly as quick in a straight line and nimbler going around corners, but it's more expensive and arguably less attractive. The Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG and the S7 can hang with the RS 7 in spirited driving, but they lack the Audi's hatchback versatility. You might also consider the Tesla Model S if you're open to going electric. But for uncompromised speed in a stylish yet functional package, it's tough to top the Audi RS 7.

　　Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Audi RS 7 includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a blind-spot warning system, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. The standard Audi Pre Sense Basic collision mitigation system tightens the seatbelts and closes the windows if a potential frontal collision is detected, while the Pre Sense Rear function scans for potential rear collisions.

　　Rear side airbags are a stand-alone option, while the optional Driver Assistance Plus package includes lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, night vision with pedestrian detection, a corner-view parking camera system, adaptive cruise control and Audi Pre Sense Plus, which can automatically apply the brakes to mitigate the severity of an imminent crash.

　　In zzdcar brake testing, the Audi RS 7 stopped from 60 mph in a short 108 feet.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Do you like Audi's sleek, four-door A7 but yearn for something even hotter? That's where the 2017 RS 7 comes in. Take everything refined and practical about the A7 (and the further amplified S7), bake in ludicrous power and speed, and you get the RS 7. It has few peers and even fewer compromises, yet it can still carry four adults and luggage in style.

　　

Driving

　　The 2017 Audi RS 7 is masterful in almost every conceivable driving scenario. At a steady highway cruise, there's hardly any ambient noise. It's also one of the quietest cars we've ever tested at 70 mph, which is all the more remarkable when you consider the RS 7's enormous, high-performance tires.

　　But with a simple tap of your toe, the transmission seamlessly switches gears, the exhaust bellows menacingly (more so with the stand-alone sport exhaust) and a wave of turbocharged torque shoves you back into your seat for as long as you dare. Few cars can match the RS 7's one-two punch of confident luxury and face-flattening acceleration.

　　Around turns, the RS 7 is stable and capable of extraordinary grip. It's a big car, yet the all-wheel drive and torque vectoring diff also allow you to power out of corners with surprising ease. It's only in full-attack mode on really tight roads or a racetrack that the car's inherent forward weight bias rears its head, resulting in some occasionally tricky handling behavior at the limit.

　　

Interior

　　The RS 7 typifies Audi interior design with eye-pleasing details, tight construction and excellent materials throughout. It also benefits from RS-specific carbon-fiber inlays, aluminum pedals, many other RS-themed flourishes and ambient LED lighting. Audi's familiar Multi Media Interface (MMI) system controls entertainment, communication and navigation functions via a dash-mounted pop-up screen and a control dial surrounded by buttons on the center console. The system features logical menus, crisp graphics and a touchpad to increase functionality, as well as 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi to enhance online activities on the go. Other systems like BMW's iDrive are a bit easier to learn, but once you've got the hang of things, the MMI system is one of the best available.

　　Whether you stick with the standard front sport seats or opt for the Comfort Seating package with its massaging "contour" seats, you'll enjoy superlative support during long trips and spirited back-road runs alike. Due to the RS 7's aggressively raked roofline, however, backseat headroom is tight even for adults of average height. Legroom is abundant, however, and there's something to be said for the individual comfort of the twin rear bucket seats versus the regular A7's traditional three-across bench seat (the S7 also has twin rear seats).

　　The RS 7's hatchback design enables easy loading of larger items that just won't fit through the trunk opening of a conventional sedan. The space itself is generous, too, measuring 24.5 cubic feet behind the rear seatbacks. That's roughly 10 cubic feet more than rivals like the CLS with normal trunks. Notably, you can also fold the RS 7's rear seatbacks forward to open up a significantly larger space.

　　

2017 Audi RS 7 models

　　The 2017 Audi RS 7 is a full-size high-performance four-door hatchback that comes in two trim levels. The base RS 7 is similar to the Prestige trim of the regular Audi A7, but with a number of performance-themed upgrades. Unlike the A7 sedan, which has a three-passenger rear seat, the RS 7 has two individual rear seats. The RS 7 Performance is similar but has a more powerful V8.

　　Standard features include 20-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a sport body kit, an adaptive sport-tuned air suspension, variable-ratio steering, a sport differential, a sunroof, a power liftgate, auto-dimming mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, a basic collision mitigation system (Pre Sense Basic and Pre Sense Rear), a blind-spot monitor and keyless entry and ignition.

　　Inside you'll find ambient LED lighting, leather upholstery, heated eight-way power front sport seats (with four-way lumbar adjustment), a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, driver memory settings, four-zone automatic climate control, Audi Drive Select (providing driver control over steering, suspension, transmission and exhaust settings), Audi's S7 (with a console-mounted controller that includes touchpad functionality), an 8-inch display screen, a rearview camera, voice controls, a navigation system, a head-up display, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone interface, S7 (including 4G LTE connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot capability and Web-based navigation and information services) and a 14-speaker Bose audio system with a CD player, satellite and HD radio and a USB interface.

　　There are several options packages available for the 2017 Audi RS 7. The Driver Assistance Plus package adds automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning/keeping assist, a corner-view (front and rear) parking camera system and the upgraded Pre Sense Plus collision mitigation system with automatic braking.

　　The Comfort Seating package features different leather upholstery (lacking the standard honeycomb stitching), "contour" front seats with ventilation and massage functions, passenger memory settings and comfort rear seats. The Cold Weather package adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. Finally, the Carbon-Optic package alters the finish and appearance of the car's mirrors, grille, lower air intakes and rear diffuser.

　　Stand-alone options include 21-inch wheels in different finishes, power-closing doors, a night vision system, a simulated suede headliner, rear side airbags and a 15-speaker S7 surround-sound audio system.

　　The RS 7 Performance gains more power, carbon-ceramic brakes, Dynamic Ride Control (a mechanical damping system that reduces body roll and pitch around corners), 21-inch cast aluminum wheels, a different bumper design, gloss-black grille surround, black tailpipes and carbon-fiber mirror housings.

　　The RS 7 is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that sends 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. An eight-speed automatic transmission, a self-locking center differential and a sport rear differential are standard. For the RS 7 Performance, the output rises to 605 hp and an overboost function provides a temporary torque peak of 553 lb-ft.

　　In zzdcar performance testing, an RS 7 leapt to 60 mph in an absurdly quick 3.4 seconds, which is more than half a second quicker than a Chevrolet Corvette. According to the EPA, the RS 7 returns 19 mpg combined (16 mpg city/27 mpg highway), remarkably frugal numbers for this level of performance.

　　

2017 RS 7 Highlights

Trim: Prestige quattroperformance Prestige quattroPrestige quattro

　　

Base MSRP	$110,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$242/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles