Highlight: The A7, which is Audi’s non performance version of the RS 7, is available with a 4-cylinder, plug-in powertrain.
Test Vehicle's MSRP: $137,540 (Base A7: $70,245)
Seating Capacity: 5
Standard Safety Features
RS 7: airbags; electronic stability control system; a
tire pressure monitoring system; a spare tire; rain sensor windshield wiper
system; pre sense pedestrian braking system; front and rear parking sensors;
and a rear-view camera
Standard Equipment RS 7: 4.0, liter, 8-cylinder; 591-horsepower; 21-inch wheels; 8-speed
automatic transmission; all-wheel drive; a 4-zone automatic climate control
system; an adaptive air suspension system; a virtual cockpit; a power operated
tilt/telescopic steering wheel; leather sport seats with non adjustable
headrests; heated power front sport seats with ventilated power lumbar seats; a
headlight washer system; and a power sunroof
Options: Glacier white metallic paint; red ceramic
brakes; carbon optic package: Carbon Optic Exterior Trim; Carbon optic exterior
mirror, 22-inch wheels with summer tires; Executive Package: heated rear seats,
HUD (heads up display), power soft closing doors, and extended leather package,
dash, armrest, sills and console); Driver Assistance Package: an adaptive
cruise control system with lane keep assist, Audi side assist with rear cross
traffic and pre sense rear braking, intersection assist and traffic sign
recognition; a sport exhaust system; and carbon twill structure inlay
Other Trim Levels:
A7 Plug-in hybrid
Audi S7
Standard RS 7Audio On
Test Vehicle: a Bang and Olufsen
30-speaker AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM
Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard
USB Connectivity: Standard
Apple/Android
Connectivity: Standard
Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty: 4 years or 50,000
miles
Powertrain Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
Standard
Engine/Horsepower: 4.0-liter
Turbo, 8-cylinder engine/591-hp
Recommended Fuel: Premium
Standard Fuel Mileage RS
7: 15 city/22 hwy
What’s New: The RS 7 is virtually a carryover model.
Pros of RS 7:
Hearing the cooling fan
chill the 4.0-liter engine, upon the vehicle resting, after a long drive
All-wheel drive
A sexy stunning work of
art on wheels
Coupe-like appearance
Wide body with a low
profile
Easy to load items due
to hatchback trunk
The front LED headlights
looks like a magic show at night, when the lights automatically turn off
A throaty V8 engine --
pushes out 591-horsepower
0 to 60, 3.5-seconds, according
to Audi
The RS mode button transforms
this baby to beast mode
A variety of driving
modes, ranging from comfort to dynamic
Optional 22-inch wheels
Power activated automatic
retractable rear spoiler, which automatically extends at 60 mph
At 75 mph, when in
dynamic mode the vehicle lowers by .4 inches
Precision steering
An engaging driving experience
Optional red brake
calipers, which increases the braking speed from the standard 155 mph to 190
mph on the track
A clean and modern layout
of the electronic instrument panel and infotainment screen
Comfortable and
supportive front seats
A large 10-inch
infotainment screen, which is designed for both haptic and acoustic feedback
An 8-inch screen, which connected
directly below the 10-inch screen, is designed for climate control and handwriting
functions
A height adjustable and
sliding front center armrest
Power pull-down trunk
An oversized power
sunroof
A radar-activated cruise
control system
Wireless charging for
smartphone
Heads-up Display (HUD)
Memory setting for the
driver’s side only (unlike Mercedes-Benz, which duplicates the setting for the
passenger side)
Manual leg extender for
front seats of the
Massaging heated seat
option
Automatic closing doors
(only occurs when the doors are nearly closed)
The vehicle is compatible
with all smart phones
A drag coefficient of a
.32
No semi or autonomous mode
co-pilot assistance is welcomed on this vehicle
But:
SiriusXM
operated intermittently … like with a previous Audi we had to go through a series
of steps to activate the channels
Rear
seating area really can only accommodate two, because of limited legroom for
center occupant
No
brake hold feature, which could be useful at stop lights
No
power folding exterior mirrors, reducing accidents or scratches, when parked
The
engineering team needs to develop a fingerprint-less touchscreen system
Like
with most imports, the vehicle can become quite pricey when adding on options
The RS 7, with its low-profile stance and wide-body, is Audi’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz AMG and the BMW M performance models. And no, the vehicle doesn’t disappoint.
Ironically, the last time we spent behind thewheel of the Audi A7 Sportback was almost ten years ago. At that time, the coupe-like design was all-new to the brand. Conversely, one of the major drawbacks we cited, after reviewing the vehicle, was that it lacked an 8-cylinder engine. Boy, did Audi heed our call with this second- generation RS 7, popping in a fire-breathing 590-horsepower, bi-turbo engine.
While there aren’t too many direct competitors in its class, offering a hatchback or coupe-like styling, we found two that goes head-to-head with the RS 7. Like with the RS 7, they are also both have German roots too. They are the Mercedes-Benz CLS 53 and the Porsche Panamera Turbo S. The Mercedes-Benz has the look, but comes up short in the horsepower area, doling out an underwhelming 493-horsepower. Yet, on the other hand, the Panamera Turbo S, which has a starting price over $180,000, is a better match in terms of horsepower, spewing out exactly 620 from under the hood.
However, dollar to dollar, the RS 7 seems to be the better deal, especially for those seeking a more affordable luxury performance vehicle, with the capacity to comfortably seat four to five occupants.
Despite a few drawbacks we noted earlier within the review, its no wonder why the RS 7 causes grown men and some women to drool over this stunning work of art on wheels. The car has a presence about it, allowing the RS 7 to effortlessly glide down major interstates, as the engine growls and the automatic rear spoiler extends.
%20(1)%20(1).jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment