2017 Audi RS 7
Audi Sport's slogan is "Born on the track. Built for
the road." While most of us would love to test the limits of any Audi
Sport model on a racetrack, we'd also be happy to merely have the opportunity
to slide behind the wheel of any RS model for a week, especially if it's a
$137,000 RS 7 Performance. I had that chance recently, and I learned quite a
bit about what it's like to live with a six-figure hatchback.
The power is intoxicating.
The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 and 8-speed automatic
combination is magic. To make a pass, simply think about it, rotate your right
foot a few degrees, and the car makes mince meat of its prey. I'm not even sure
it happens in that order. And that's with the engine and transmission in the
base Comfort mode, which also delivers imperceptibly smooth shifts up through
the gears.
The V-8 puts out 605 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of
torque, but Audi has an overboost mode that increases torque to 553 lb-ft when
the transmission is in manual mode or you choose the Dynamic setting from the
drive mode selector. Then, the RS 7 slays the 0-60 mph run in 3.6 seconds,
aided by the hook from the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. However, Dynamic
makes the transmission maintain low gears and the throttle touchy, creating a
jumping driving experience in traffic. It's great for performance driving, but
it's best to avoid on the street.
Fuel economy is acceptable.
The trade-off for all that power? Middling fuel economy, yet
it won't break the bank, especially with today's reasonable prices. Over 381
miles with a pretty even mix of city and highway driving, I averaged 18.9 mpg.
I can live with that.
The ride is remarkable.
Audi sets the RS 7 Performance on 21-inch wheels with 275/35
tires. It also has a Dynamic Ride Control suspension with steel springs and
adaptive dampers that are linked diagonally (the base RS 7 gets an air
suspension). When a force acts on an outside wheel, the opposite damper firms
up to reduce body roll.
Surprisingly, this setup also rides fairly well, too,
despite those big 21-inch wheels and those short 35-series sidewalls. Yes,
sharp potholes can pound through, and the ride is somewhat firm, but it's
amazing how forgiving it is given the serious hardware Audi employs. Again, the
Comfort mode for the damper control helps. In fact, I'd recommend Comfort for
most settings, other than, perhaps, the engine sound, in most everyday driving.
The price is mind-boggling.
The car I tested was the not so succinctly named 2017 RS 7
Performance 4.0T Quattro Tiptronic. It came with a base price of $129,500, and
added Panther Black crystal effect paint ($1,075) that would make Darth Vader
jealous; a black Alcantara headliner for a mere $3,000; the Driver Assistance
package ($2,450) with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warnings with
automatic emergency braking, active lane assist, corner view cameras, and
automatic high beams--really, this isn't included in the $130K base price? Add
in the $950 destination charge and the total came to $136,975.
In addition to the engine and transmission, the RS 7 comes
with carbon-ceramic brakes, a sport exhaust system, a sport differential, the
Dynamic Ride Control suspension, sport-tuned steering, and the 21-inch wheels
and tires.
That's all great stuff, but is it worth a nearly $50,000
premium over the S7's $81,200 base price? Unless you are truly going to track
this car, I don't think so. It might have been born on the track, but it's
going to spend the vast majority of its time on the street. Save yourself $50k,
and go with the S7.
source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111870_2017-audi-rs-7-performance-first-drive-review-living-with-a-137k-hatchback
by Kirk Bell
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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