Audi has introduced the fire-breathing RS6 Avant Performance and RS7 Sportback Performance to the South African market with a higher output and more aggressive design than the already-sporty cars they are based on.
The new RS6 is available from a base price of R2,332,700 while the RS7 goes for R2,444,500, both prices including a 5-year/100,000km Audi Freeway Plan.
Customer deliveries of these high-performance Audis will commence in July, and from September 2023 onwards, the public will be able to test them out at the Audi driving experience.
RS6 and RS7 Performance specifications
The new RS6 and RS7 Performance generate 22kW and 50Nm more than the standard cars with the same 4.0-litre, V8, bi-turbocharged mill thanks to the use of larger turbochargers and an increase in maximum boost pressure from 2.4 to 2.6 bar.
The result is a monumental output of 463kW and 850Nm that is delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with sharper gear changes, allowing the Performance models to shave off 0.2 seconds in the 0-100km/h sprint to complete the run in 3.4 seconds.
With standard fitment of the the RS Dynamic package, top speed is pegged at 280km/h as opposed to the usual 250km/h, and it can be further increased to 305km/h should the optional RS Dynamics Package Plus be equipped.
The latter also brings carbon ceramic brake discs, which will lower the overall kerb weight by 34kg.
Complementing the uprated powerplant, the RS6 and RS7 Performance are fitted with dynamic all-wheel steering and a new self-locking centre differential that distributes 40% of power to the rear axle and 60% to the front. If slippage occurs, up to 70% can be sent to the front and 85% to the back.
The lighter and more compact differential offers “noticeably more precise cornering which makes for less understeering at the handling limits,” said Audi.
The Drive Select dynamic handling system is included, too, offering six profiles namely Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency, and two customizable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes.
The Performance models then roll off the line on model-specific 22-inch, matte titanium grey wheels wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 7 tyres.
Not only do these rims identify these special-edition models, they also assist in brake cooling and weigh around 20kg less than the wheels found on the standard RS cars.
Additionally, the tyres provide consistently better grip in wet and dry conditions and reduce understeer around corners, while also reducing the 100-0km/h braking distance by two metres.
Apart from the wheels, the RS6 and RS7 Performance are immediately identifiable as such by virtue of their overtly aggressive styling cues.
The exterior mirrors, front spoiler, front side flaps, side sill inserts, roof rails, and trim on the side windows and rear diffuser are now in matte grey, and for the first time, the high-performance Audis can be painted in metallic and matte Ascari Blue or matte Dew Silver, among a palette of 13 other hues.
A matte carbon/black styling package is also an option, in which the roof rails and trim on the side windows are black, and all the badges on the outer shell are available in the customer’s choice of chrome or black.
Continuing inside, the Alcantara steering wheel, Valcona leather seats, floor mats, centre console, and gear lever cuff now get Mercato Blue stitching, and the seatbelts are in Ocean Blue. Another Performance-only feature is puddle lights that project “RS Performance” onto the floor.
The software was also slightly tweaked for the uprated Audis, now including a blinking shift indicator in manual mode that shows the driver the best times to change gears, as well as “traffic light icons” for the launch control function.
The carbon interior twill can further be had with optional blue accents, and buyers have the choice to equip the RS interior design package in the three colour variants.
Reduced noise insulation takes away a final 8kg, resulting in a total kerb weight of 2,090kg for the RS6 and 2,065kg for the RS7.
Audi RS6 Avant Performance
Audi RS7 Sportback Performance
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