Audi RS7 Performance launched in India at Rs. 1.60 Crore

Audi has launched the RS7 Performance four-door sports coupe at a price of Rs. 1,59,65,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). The car will be brought into the country as a CBU (Completely Built Unit).

On the outside, the RS7 Performance gets Audi's Matrix LED headlamps and a wide grille that houses the Audi logo, RS7 moniker and the Quattro badge. The bumper gets large air intakes and matte-titanium detailing near the fog lamp housing and ORVMs. It comes with standard 20-inch forged aluminium wheels, while optional 21-inch wheels are also on offer. The RS7 Performance can be opted in two style packages - Matte Aluminium and Carbon. Audi claims to have used 20% aluminium in the construction of the RS7 Performance. This makes it around 15% lighter than the standard model.

The RS7 Performance gets RS Sports seats with prominent side bolstering and integrated head restraints. The seats are wrapped in Valcona leather. The dashboard is detailed with aluminium and piano black inserts. Changes have been made to the instrument cluster, air outlet controls, shift paddles, and the MMI infotainment system that now comes with an Nvidia graphics processor. A Bose audio system comes as standard, while audiophiles can also opt for a Bang & Olufsen unit.

The RS7 Performance supplies power from a 4.0-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol engine that develops 597 BHP and a peak torque of 700 Nm, which can further be hiked temporarily to 750 Nm using the Overboost function. This engine is mated to an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels through Audi's Quattro AWD system.

This powertrain setup is potent enough to complete a 0-100 km/h sprint in a company claimed time of 3.7 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds faster than the standard RS7. Top speed of the RS7 Performance has been electronically limited to 280 km/h, though it can further be increased to 305 km/h with the dynamic package plus.

The RS7 Performance's engine also comes with the cylinder on demand (COD) system that activates only four out of the total eight cylinders when the car is being driven under partial load. The automaker claims this feature helps in delivering a fuel economy figure of 10.5 km/l.

The RS7 Performance has thus joined its standard sibling, the RS7 Sportback, in Audi's Indian portfolio.