Audi RS7 Sportback review – performance and 0-60
Isn’t class leading in numbers on paper, but when was 592bhp ever not enough? It’s definitely enough
While it seems ridiculous to call a 592bhp car off the pace, against such intensely powered rivals the RS7 seems lacking. This is only in context, however, as in any situation the RS7 is brutally fast in all conditions. Underpinned by a thick wall of torque from pretty much idle, plus short gearing and crisp gearchanges, its is never found wanting. Against the stopwatch it’ll take 3.6sec to reach 62mph, but it’s a figure it’ll likely get incredibly close to in the rain, hail or shine. Top speed is limited to 155mph, but this can be raised to 174mph if you wish. Germany’s top-level 189mph limiter is off-limits for UK buyers, however.
Power delivery is creamy smooth, and unlike the diesel in the S7, this is a powertrain that pulls hard virtually from idle, flicks cleanly through each gearchange and continues to deliver its wallop until the limiter cuts in. So linear is the power curve your only real indication of speed is the hyperspace effect of roadside furniture.
The exhaust note is appealing, if perhaps a little quiet – though it’s hard not to concede that Audi has judged noise levels perfectly for this type of car, and on a cruise it’s as whisper-quiet as any other A7.
