Overview

What's New for 2021

The RS 7 comes with many standard features for $114,000. Exterior details include 21-inch cast-aluminum wheels, summer tires, HD Matrix Design headlights, Audi Laser light, automatic high beams, LED tail lights with dynamic indicators, all-wheel-steering, and a retractable rear spoiler. There is a power panoramic sunroof, illuminated aluminum door sill inlays, stainless steel pedals, four-zone automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror carpeted floor mats, and Aluminum Race anthracite inlays.

The RS 7's front seats -- appointed in premium leather -- are heated and ventilated. Safety and technology features include automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, navigation, Audi's MMI infotainment system, dual LCD screens, a power trunk, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless phone charging.

The centerpiece of the Audi RS 7 is undoubtedly the turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It runs on premium fuel and pairs with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Standard Quattro all-wheel-drive delivers all of that power to the ground, with an adaptive air suspension and available carbon-ceramic brakes to assist as road conditions change.

The EPA estimates the RS 7 should return 15/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined. It comes with a 19.3-gallon fuel tank.

The RS 7's interior shares its exceptional comfort and refinement with the car it's based on, the Audi A7. The abundant technology also reminds one of a top-shelf A7, but there are significant differences. The seats are perhaps the most apparent change -- RS sport seats with deep bolsters that help keep passengers in place during hard driving. Even though they were designed to handle high speeds and sharp turns, the seats are luxurious, with 14-ways of power adjustment and heating/cooling functions. The honeycomb contrast-stitched Valcona leather is a nice touch.

Technology is one of the RS 7's many strong suits. The driver has access to a digital instrument cluster that Audi terms a "virtual cockpit." This high-tech screen gives the driver information on speed, fuel economy, revs, and it also has customizable performance modes that display telemetry data. Likewise, the MMI infotainment system includes up-to-the-minute 3D visualizations of the car's various mechanical systems and gives temperature readouts to ensure that nothing important is overheating.

Although most owners probably won't be using their RS 7 for trips to the hardware store, it has plenty of cargo space should the need arise. With the back seats in place, cargo space is almost 25 cubic feet, nearly twice as much capacity as a comparable sedan.