After a brief hiatus, the Audi RS7 is back and all new for 2020. Now incorporating Sportback into its name, the second-gen RS7 receives more distinctive styling inside and out along with even greater technology and increased power.
Pros Aggressive appearance, tantalizing performance attributes, hatchback's added versatility.
Cons Too expensive for most enthusiasts, same infotainment foibles as regular A7.
Among enthusiasts and car spotters, it's got hero status - now there's an all-new Audi RS7. It's faster, considerably meaner, and a bit greener too.
Pros Lower and way more aggressive design that shares only four parts with A7 Huge 800Nm and its relentless all the way to 300km/h Sublime comfort and ride with a beautifully poised chassis Body roll is kept in check by both air suspension and dynamic ride control, high tech and superb materials quality Properly fuel efficient Super-smooth gearbox Awesome noise
Cons Seems its design can be polarising to some Surely it can accelerate faster than the claim? Pricing is likely to be steep
The Audi RS7 Sportback is an incredibly fast four-door coupe that'll give some supercars a run for their money. It looks great inside too, but alternatives are more involving to drive.
Pros Gorgeous interior Phenomenally fast Bigger boot than alternatives
Cons Expensive optional extras Not particularly involving to drive RS6 Avant is cheaper and more practical
The Audi RS Q3 Sportback is a fast SUV with a distinctive five-cylinder petrol engine and a lovely interior. The lower, lighter hatchback RS 3 will be even more fun to drive, mind you.A couple of things help the Audi RS Q3 Sportback stand out amongst performance SUVs – its sharp looks and that characterful five-cylinder engine. It just sounds better than the rest.
This latest addition to Audi Sport’s growing stable of RS models is also one part of a dual-pronged attack on the small performance SUV market. While the RS Q3 should appease those wanting a little extra headroom for rear passengers, the Sportback earns extra style points with its sloping rear end. The Sportback delivers the kind of assured handling we associate with the RS range, letting you make rapid point-to-point progress while remaining predictable at all times, if lacking in true driver engagement. The progressive steering rack doesn’t give much sense of what the front tyres are doing through corners, and there’s little playfulness to be found from the rear end when pushed. On the smoothest roads and the optional adaptive dampers set to their most comfortable, the Sportback is just about relaxed enough, but still jostles on rougher surfaces. Dynamic mode is a lot more brittle, picking up even the smallest of abrasions. Ride refinement is merely average for the class, though our test drive didn’t provide an opportunity to see what effect smaller 20in alloy wheels would have on comfort.
Audi's cheeky little SUV offers exactly what we expected from the tech-loving German automaker in a handsome and mostly practical package.
Pros Sharp styling, plentiful tech features, spunky driving demeanor.
Cons Tight rear quarters, noticeable turbo lag, a few cheap interior materials.
