Audi is expanding its RS model lineup: The RS 7 Sportback, which
is making its debut at the North American International Auto Show 2013
in Detroit, stands for dynamics at their most beautiful. The large
five-door coupe uses a 4.0 TFSI engine producing 412 kW (552 hp). The
sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) takes just 3.9 seconds, and the
speed governor can be deactivated upon customer request to permit a top
speed of up to 305 km/h (189.52 mph). Despite this superior
performance, the Audi RS 7 Sportback consumes on average just 9.8 liters
of fuel per 100 km (24.00 US mpg).
Aesthetic design, innovative technology and impressive
sportiness: The RS 7 Sportback, the large five-door coupe from Audi,
combines many strengths to produce a fascinating character. Its strong
heart is the 4.0 TFSI, which takes Audi’s downsizing strategy to the
high-end category. The twin-turbo V8 displaces 3,993 cc and develops
awesome power, with 412 kW (560 hp) available between 5,700 and 6,700
rpm. A constant 750 Nm (553.17 lb-ft) of torque are available between
1,750 and 5,500 rpm.
Because the high-revving four-cylinder engine
has been rigorously designed for low load-change and flow losses, it
develops this power quickly and spontaneously. The cylinder heads have
the exhaust side on the inside and the intake side on the outside. The
two twin-scroll turbochargers, which produce up to 1.2 bars of relative
boost pressure, are located together with the intercooler in the inside V
of the cylinder banks. Consequently, the gas paths are very short and
response very good. The RS-specific engine management and unthrottled
intake system also contribute to the dynamic character of the twin-turbo
V8. Switchable flaps in the exhaust system make the engine sound even
fuller at the push of a button or under strong acceleration. Audi also
offers an optional sport exhaust system.
The RS 7 Sportback
sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 3.9 seconds. Audi limits
the top speed in the standard configuration to 250 km/h (155.34 mph).
Top speed with the optional dynamic package is 280 km/h (173.98 mph)
and 305 km/h (189.52 mph) with the dynamic package plus.
Yet the
new top model of the model series consumes on average just 9.8 liters of
fuel per 100 km (24.00 US mpg). This top value is due in part to the
standard start-stop system and innovative thermal management.
The
most innovative efficiency technology in the new Audi RS 7 Sportback is
the cylinder on demand (COD) system. At low to medium loads and engine
speeds, it deactivates cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8 by closing their valves
via electromechanical actuators. The 4.0 TFSI then runs as a
four-cylinder engine until the driver accelerates more strongly again.
The operating points in the active cylinders are displaced toward higher
loads, increasing efficiency.
All of these operations take just a
few hundredths of a second and occur so smoothly and quickly that they
can hardly be felt or heard. Active engine bearings, another high-end
solution from Audi, use out-of-phase counter-oscillations to compensate
for the slight vibrations that occur during four-cylinder operation. The
COD technology reduces NEDC fuel consumption by roughly five percent,
and even greater savings of approximately 10 percent are possible when
driving at moderate speeds.
The standard eight-speed tiptronic is
specially tuned to the sporty character of the Audi RS 7 Sportback.
Drivers can choose between the modes D and S or change gears themselves
using the shift paddles on the steering wheel or the selector lever,
which sports a unique RS design. While the lower gears of the tiptronic
are closely spaced for sporty response, eighth gear is tall like an
overdrive to reduce fuel consumption.
The Audi RS 7 Sportback
comes standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive for its decisive
advantage in traction and driving safety compared with its
two-wheel-drive competitors. At the heart of the quattro system is a
center differential with a high locking rate and a separate oil cooler
to regulate its temperature. It distributes the power as needed within a
wide range between the front and rear axles. In the standard
configuration, 60 percent flows to the rear and 40 percent to the front.
An
intelligent software solution called torque vectoring supports the work
of the differential at the cornering limit with minimal braking of the
wheels that are under a reduced load. Audi also offers the optional
sport differential for the rear axle, which uses two superposition gears
to actively distribute the power between the wheels.
The Audi RS 7
Sportback comes standard with polished, 20-inch forged lightweight
wheels in a seven twin-spoke design. The five-door high-performance
coupe also rolls on optional 21-inch cast wheels in a choice of three
designs.
Powerful brakes are located behind the large wheels. The
four internally vented discs feature a weight-saving wave design and
measure 390 millimeters (15.35 in) in diameter up front. Pins decouple
the steel friction rings from the aluminum brake caps. Black painted
six-piston calipers – optionally available in red – grip the discs. Audi
also offers optional 420 millimeter (16.54 in) carbon fiber ceramic
discs with anthracite gray calipers. The electronic stabilization
control (ESC) has a Sport mode and can also be deactivated entirely.
Equipped
with the air suspension, which harmonizes perfectly with the dynamic
character of a sport coupe, the new RS 7 Sportback is sporty, yet still
comfortable. The RS 7 adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20
millimeters (0.79 in). Adaptive damping, another of the system’s
features, adjusts the suspension’s response to the condition of the
road, the driver’s style and the mode selected in the Audi drive select
system, with which the driver can alter the function of key components
in multiple steps.
Audi offers the taut sport suspension plus with
dynamic ride control (DRC) as an alternative to the air suspension. It
uses steel springs and three-stage adjustable dampers that are connected
to one another via diagonal oil lines and a central valve. Another
option, which can also be integrated into Audi drive select, is the
dynamic steering with its steplessly variable steering boost and ratio.
As with the standard electromechanical steering, its characteristics are
specially tailored for the RS 7 Sportback.
The body of the Audi
RS 7 Sportback includes up to 20 percent aluminum and includes many
parts of high-strength and ultra high-strength steels. Its high rigidity
is the foundation for the precise handling, excellent workmanship and
quiet cabin free of intrusive noise.
The character of the Audi RS 7
Sportback is immediately obvious. A series of specific design details
give a sporty edge to its flowing coupe design. These include the
distinctive bumpers and high-gloss black protective grille with
honeycomb structure at the front of the car as well as add-on parts in
matt aluminum. At the rear of the car, which features a power extending
spoiler, the diffuser and the two large, elliptical tailpipe trims of
the exhaust system catch the eye.
The RS 7 Sportback is available
in a choice of ten exterior colors, including the new shade Nardo gray
and the exclusive finish Daytona gray, matt effect. Two styling packages
– matt aluminum and carbon – further customize the appearance. With
these, the front center air inlet also sports a quattro badge. With the
carbon styling package, the front splitter and the diffuser are somewhat
more boldly shaped. Other options include the exterior mirrors with
exposed carbon housings and the all-LED headlights, whose designer trims
are tinted for a unique look.
The elegant dynamics carry over to
the cockpit of the Audi RS 7 Sportback. The dial instruments have black
faces, white scales and red needles. A 3D RS 7 logo in the tachometer is
a further accent. The key, the flat-bottomed, three-spoke leather
steering wheel, the illuminated door entry sills and the displays for
the MMI and driver information system also sport RS badges. The driver
information system includes a shift light, which indicates when the rev
limit is reached. Displays for boost pressure and oil temperature plus a
lap timer round out the RS 7-specific menu.
Colors and materials
provide for further differentiation. The footrest, pedals and soft keys
in the standard MMI navigation plus terminal shine in an aluminum-look
finish. The decorative trim below the retractable monitor sports a piano
finish.
Carbon inlays are standard, with four additional
materials available as options. The headlining comes standard in black
cloth, with options for lunar silver or black Alcantara. Of course, the
Audi RS 7 Sportback can also be personalized using the Audi exclusive
program.
RS sport seats with pronounced side bolsters, integrated
head restraints and RS 7 logos are standard. They are covered in a
combination of black Alcantara and leather, and the center sections
feature diamond quilting. The seats can also be covered alternatively in
high-grade, honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar
silver. Audi offers optional power-adjustable comfort seats with memory
function. The two rear seats are powerfully contoured. Luggage capacity
ranges from 535 to 1,390 liters (18.89 to 49.09 cu ft) depending on the
position of the rear seat backs.
The Audi RS 7 Sportback comes
with a generous list of standard equipment, including xenon plus
headlights, a tire pressure monitoring system, the parking system plus,
three-zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control and the Audi sound
system in addition to features mentioned previously. High-end options
include a head-up display, a comfort package, the dynamic package and
the dynamic package plus.
The Bluetooth online car phone is an
ideal complement to the standard MMI navigation plus. Its UMTS module
delivers the tailored Audi connect services to the on-board monitor, and
a WLAN hotspot connects the passengers’ mobile devices. Topping the
range of audio modules is the Advanced Sound System from Bang &
Olufsen.
The Audi RS 7 Sportback also leads the pack when it comes
to driver assistance systems. One of these is the adaptive cruise
control with stop & go function including Audi pre sense front. This
keeps the powerful coupe at the proper distance from the car ahead and
in many situations can help to avoid accidents or mitigate their
consequences.
Audi active lane assist helps the driver to keep the
RS 7 Sportback on course. The park assist handles the steering when
parking. The night vision assistant with highlighting of detected
persons reduces the stress of driving in the dark. Audi side assist and
the speed limit display round out the list.
