As you know, I was testing the 2014 Audi RS7 last week in the Las Vegas area.
I had been looking to get the opportunity to put it through its paces for a long time and to say the outcome was anything less that orgasmic would be an extreme manipulation of the truth.
I've owned over 60 premium vehicles in the last 7 years so to say I'm finicky and hard to please when it comes to me heaping praise on something would be quite the understatement.
2014 Audi RS7 Launch Photo Gallery
Plus, I would consider myself an expert in super sedan seat time and ownership as MULTIPLE BMW M5's and AMG products have been in my stable over the years.
Of course, I loved my M5's and AMG stuff, just not quite as much as this Audi after my little tryst in Sin City.
First let me give you my highlights of why I loved it so much:
1. Exterior design. I can't say I've seen a BETTER looking super sedan in recent memory. Unlike the Mercedes CLS that was designed by a chef like car designer who put EVERYTHING fighting for attention on a plate or in the case of the M5 design looking dated and past its expiration date. In comparison, the RS7 is PERFECTLY styled. It's just right. Or as they say in Vegas, "It has just the RIGHT amount of WRONG." BADASS kinda WRONG! And don't get me started on a comparison of it to a Porsche Panamera. Blows it away in my opinion and the Panny will be so dated looking 5 years out. The RS7, like its brother the R8 will still look amazing 25 years from now. And it makes a Tesla look like an art college student's project.
2. Performance. It's the lightest, most BMW feeling Audi I've ever driven. And it has the best exhaust sound of anything outside of Bologna or Modena. Speed? Well if 0-60 in 3.7 seconds (C&D said they did it it 3.4 and I don't doubt it) for a car of its heft isn't good enough, well then I suggest you have issues. BLINDINGLY fast off the line and oh that SOUND of their sport exhaust! BMW and AMG maybe a tad faster but I prefer the balance of the Audi.
3. Ergonomics. Here's where they REALLY win. They simply have the best speedo/tach/computer combo in dash of anyone. I LOVE how they haven't gone fully digital and spread the Speedo and Tach apart to fit the multifunction computer display in the middle. And you know I'm crazy about beautiful watches and the relief, color and dimensionality of the speedo/tach really jazzes me. I like the Google earth too but from the nav size I still think the psuedo iPad sticking out of the BMW dash looks nicer.
4. Quality. The interior (this should come as no surprise) just feels more expensive than BMW or AMG NON individual products. You really feel you're in Bentley quality territory in the RS7 with that gorgeous honeycomb pattern in the seats.
5. Usefulness and practicality. The hatch style opening on the A7-series is best to me because it's cleverly disguised and doesn't look like a hatch to my eye. Amazing space to put whatever toys you have and ease of access.
6. Exclusivity. You won't see an RS7 on every corner so it will edge the other guys out for eye catching rights.
Negatives? A few but certainly subjective to personal feelings vs. real flaws. I wish the steering wheel was the race wheel on other Audi models although they say that's coming (in homologation now). Wish it could incorporate a glass panoramic roof. Gas mileage although they say it's only 1MPG worse than S7 and has no gas guzzler tax like the others is nothing to write home about. But when you slap that peddle you won't care that you're getting about 12 mpg around town and 16-17 highway. But remember, we were KILLIN' it so what do you expect?
Conclusion. I'll say it in one sentence. It's ALL THAT and my favorite sport sedan in MY lifetime.
If you're thinking M5, AMG or others, run the other way to your Audi dealer and say YES, I want one. You will thank me for years to come. Only one request from the Spies. Order it in an individual non-douchey color combo to REALLY amp up the cachet.
BTW, I PERSONALLY LUST FOR THIS CAR!
More details, photos and specs from the Audi press release below...
2014 Audi RS7 Launch Photo Gallery
Performance
New for 2014, the highly-anticipated Audi RS 7– which debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit – is the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S. The epitome of aesthetic design, innovative technology and track-tested performance, the five-door coupe is fitted with the twin-turbo 4.0 TFSI V8 engine, producing an astounding 560 hp that launches the RS 7 from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. At low to medium loads and engine speeds – with its innovative cylinder on demand technology – the RS 7 deactivates cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8 by closing their valves via electromechanical actuators. The 4.0 TFSI runs in four-cylinder mode, providing up to 15% better fuel efficiency, while the active engine mounts remove any changes in vibration between eight and four-cyclinder modes. The active noise cancellation system is not needed on the RS 7 because of the low exhaust frequencies of the sport exhaust.
Exterior
A series of design details give the RS 7 a dynamic edge to its flowing coupe design. Available in standard, matte aluminum or carbon styling, the RS 7 features distinctive bumpers, a Singleframe® grille in aluminum matte or high-gloss black, honeycomb grille inserts and heated, auto-dimming and power-folding exterior mirrors (also standard on A7 Prestige and S7 models). The adaptive rear spoiler, lower rear diffuser and two large elliptical tailpipes of the exhaust system signify the performance that the RS 7 has to offer.
Interior
The RS 7 features a three-spoke perforated multifunction sport steering wheel with contrast stitching and RS 7 emblem; RS-specific shift knob and interior door handles; RS-specific Carbon fiber inlays, optional Layered Aluminum/Black wood decorative inlays; black-faced instrument gauges, white scales and red needles; aluminum pedals and footrest; and a Black Alcantara ® headliner (optional).
Technology and driver assistance
The RS7 model features some of Audi’s most advanced technology and driver assistance features. The groundbreaking Audi MMI® touch with handwriting recognition features hard and soft keys, dedicated buttons for commonly-used controls and a revolutionary touchpad that interprets hand-written inputs. You can perform a number of functions, like write the digits of telephone number and the letters of the navigation destination with a finger, or scroll over maps, all without taking your eyes off the road.
Audi side assist – which monitors the blind spot areas, as well as fast-approaching vehicles, at a range of approximately 150 ft. to the rear of the car – is now standard on RS 7 models. The optional Night Vision Assistant can detect pedestrians approximately 300 ft. ahead of the vehicle; once a pedestrian is registered, the system highlights them in yellow. If the pedestrian moves into the anticipated path of the RS 7, they are highlighted in red and accompanied by an acoustic warning.
A cornerview camera is now part of the Driver Assistance plus package for all models, and the available adaptive cruise control and Audi pre sense plus enhances safety for drivers and their passengers.
Audi connect®
RS 7 models are equipped standard with the award-winning infotainment system Audi connect®. Audi was the first global auto manufacturer to offer factory-fitted in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity for passenger use, enabling the Audi connect system to deliver connectivity to up to eight wireless devices. With Audi connect – offered complementary for six months and available for as little as $15 per month thereafter – the onboard Audi MMI Navigation system is enhanced with Google Earth™ maps for a true aerial view of the route. Audi connect also features real-time localized weather, news and live fuel prices; Google Voice™ Local Search for detailed information about travel destinations, such as restaurant or hotel hours, pricing and customer reviews; and the myAudi Destination feature, which allows users to log on to Google Earth from virtually any location in the U.S. and download up to 50 destinations to the vehicle. Audi also offers real-time Sirius XM® Traffic information via enhancements to the Audi MMI Navigation plus system (active Sirius XM® Traffic subscription required).
2014 Audi RS7 Launch Photo Gallery
*AutoSpies.com was hosted (Hotel/Air/Food) by Audi USA and given access to the cars for the purpose of facilitating this review
2014 Audi RS7 Launch Photo Gallery