Review: Audi RS7 Sportback Should be Batman’s First Choice
Luxury, performance and exclusivity, the Audi RS7 checks all the right boxes.
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German car maker Audi is on a roll in India with over six launches in 2015. We at The Quint have driven almost all of them from Audi A6 Matrix to the Audi TT Coupé and even the Audi Q3.
What we were waiting to get our hands on was the Audi RS7 Sportback – a super-luxury sports car that’s priced at Rs 1.4 crore (ex-showroom New Delhi).
The RS7 promises to deliver luxury at the speed of sound.
Is it a Head Turner?
You bet! The Audi RS7 Sportback has all the curves in the right places. This car grabs attention every-time one sees it on the road. The only downside is that it will always draw attention away from its owner.
If you arrive in this car to a dinner date, the RS7 has more chances of getting laid than you.
The RS7 has a split personality disorder. During the day it can be your regular saloon car that makes sure you reach from point A to point B safely.
But by night it turns into a 4-door coupé that’s angry all the time and eats all that road ahead of it in no time.
The baritone of the car is like Batman’s voice, conflicting yet something that you would pay attention to.
What’s Under the Hood?
The car is powered by a twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that by no measure promises fuel efficiency. It churns out 560 horses and has a mammoth torque of 700 Nm.
The engine is mated to a 8-Speed ZF gearbox that is lightning fast and always ready for your next move. The car also comes with paddle shifters if you want more fun.
The Audi RS7 Sportback also has something called Cylinder on demand. This shuts down 4 cylinders on the car the moment it senses that the driver does not demand power while driving.
This in theory should give out good fuel economy, but with our drive it made a difference of just 2 Km/l. That’s also a huge bump considering it was giving out only 7 Km/l.
The RS7 Sportback can also do a 0-100 km/h dash in just 3.9 seconds. There are three optional top speeds that an owner can demand on their RS7, of 250/280/305 km/h.
It drives like a dream, but on twisty roads it has a certain uneasiness about it. Despite the quattro in place, it feels at times that something is lacking.
What’s Inside the Goodie Bag?
Inside you get comfortable sports seats and the latest generation of Audi’s MMI or Multimedia Interface, to tinker around with car settings and listen to some music.
There is also a lot of carbon fibre trim inside the car which is exotic and well done. You also get a heads-up display on the RS7 so that you can concentrate on the road ahead and not the instrument cluster.
The car comes with Matrix LED headlights and Dynamic turn indicators. It also has a rear spoiler to prevent you from an aircraft-like take off.
There is a Bose surround sound system, four zone air-conditioning, 3-spoke flat bottomed leather multi function steering wheel, 20”7 ‘twin spoke’ alloy wheels, sports adaptive air suspension, RS dual branch oval sports exhaust system and more.
It will take an owner at least a year to use all the features that the car has to offer.
Is it Safe?
At the speeds that this car can be driven, nothing is safe. But in India if you don’t have a private runway there is nothing to worry about.
Yes it comes with Airbags, Tyre pressure monitor display, Electronic Stabilisation control (ESC) and a Start - Stop system.
The ESC provides stability through targeted braking of individual wheels, intervention in the engine management system, and works in tandem with ABS, EBD, ASR and EDL.
Who Should Buy It?
Anyone who has that kind of money and loves exclusivity.
Audi has restricted the car to only a few units for India. Add a price tag of Rs 1.4 crore (ex-showroom New Delhi), and you get a car that gives you performance on demand and luxury all the time.
The RS7 Sportback is a meteor and instead of featuring the car in the latest Hitman movie Audi should have asked Batman to try it out.
It’s not muscular like the Tumbler but definitely a ninja.
Key Highlights: Audi RS7 Sportback
- Engine: 4.0 TFSI,V8 Engine
- Power: 560 BHP
- TorQue: 700 NM
- 0- 100 Km/h: 3.9 sec
- Top Speed: 250 Km/h | 285 Km/h | 305 Km/h
- Transmission: 8 Speed Multitronic Automatic
- Quattro: Permanent All Wheel Drive
- Matrix LED Headlamps
- Carbon Fiber Inlays
- Sports Adaptive Air Suspension
- Price: Rs 1.4 crore (Ex-Showroom Delhi)
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