Audi’s Quattro performance car division has turned the wick up on its RS6 Avant and Audi RS7 Sportback models, providing the rapid estate and four-door coupé with an added 45bhp and 37lb ft in a pair of so-called Performance models that will go on sale in the UK this month.
Read our review of the Audi RS6 Avant Performance
Read our review of the Audi RS7 Performance
The lift in reserves - achieved through changes to the engine management system that provide a higher ignition cut-out, along with increased turbocharger boost pressure - extends the output of the four-wheel-drive RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine to 597bhp and 553lb ft, the same state of tune run by the recently unveiled Audi S8 Plus.
In combination with a revised eight-speed automatic gearbox and detailed upgrades to their chassis, the revised engine is claimed to propel the new RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback Performance models from 0-62mph in a claimed 3.7sec – some 0.2sec faster than the standard RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback.
Audi also claims the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback Performance accelerate to 124mph some 1.4sec faster than the standard models, at 12.1sec, and says the top speed will be limited to 155mph - or 174mph (RS6) and 190mph (RS7) with optional dynamic packages.
Despite the increase in outputs and added performance potential, the official combined cycle fuel consumption figures for these new RS Performance models are the same as their standard siblings at 29.4mpg (RS6 Avant) and 29.7mpg (RS7) respectively. These figures give the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback Performance CO2 emissions of 223g/km and 221g/km.
Distinguishing the new Audi models are exclusive 21in alloy wheels shod with 285/30 R21 tyres on the RS6 Avant Performance and 275/30 R21 tyres on the RS7 Sportback Performance.
The RS6 Performance will cost £86,000, while RS7 Performance prices will start at £91,600. Audi UK is predicting that the first UK deliveries will arrive in February 2016.
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