Audi’s RS 7 Performance was this COTY’s ultimate stealth sedan, with enough acceleration to peel the paint off lesser cars as it flies past. The most performance-focused variant of the elite 7 Series, the RS 7 features exterior styling that is assertive but not overbearing—even with the optional 22-inch wheels—and its civilized demeanor reminds us that a well-balanced automotive personality is a welcome sidekick for real-world driving. This Audi made some new friends, like judge Eric Murphy, who said, “The RS 7 was my sleeper great car—sneaky good handling for a five-door sedan!"
Yet, for a few seasoned RS drivers, a certain hard-to-pin-down quality—call it RS magic—was missing. “As an owner of an Audi RS Q8, I’m biased," said Ruben Oliva. “The RS 7 does not disappoint, but it lacks the spirit of other RS models that makes one appreciate having a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This one seems more sheep than wolf, especially for an RS variant."
Nearly everyone appreciated the tasteful and well-appointed interior, as understated as it is finely crafted. The standard Virtual Cockpit Plus is a useful digital display framed by the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which, along with excellent sport seats, reminds the driver that this is no ordinary Audi 7 series. It’s not a light one either, weighing in at nearly 5,000 pounds—the price to pay for a full-featured, safe, and substantial performance sedan. That point was not lost on Inigo Aragues, who said, “Great everyday car, and enough oomph to not be bored going to the grocery store, but it’s a bit on the heavy side." Most judges walked away impressed, including Tim Olzer, who proclaimed it to be “a great daily driver with an angry side." (Meant as a compliment, of course.)
Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8
Power: 621 hp
0-60 MPH: 3.3 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph (limited)
Base Price: $128,600
As Tested: $153,540
From the article by Viju Mathew and Robert Ross
