When mentioning an S model, we know that it has received performance touches from Audi, and the following RS and Plus variants are further improvements that the Four Rings can throw in without turning their cars into a widow maker. But it seems that Audi has dropped their ‘Plus’ moniker in favour of the ‘Performance’ designation which we are seeing now on the new RS6 Avant and RS7.
We start with the usual power boost where both models now roll with 605-horsepower, an increase of 45 more than the standard version. As for the torque figure, both of them receive 700Nm or 516 lb-ft for everyday use, and an overboost function raises the figure to 750Nm 553 lb-ft for that extra punch.
As a result of this power increase, the RS6 and RS7 are now capable of producing supercar-like figures. The zerotohundred time is reduced by 0.2 seconds, bringing it down to 3.7 seconds, while 0-200 takes only 12.1 seconds, shaving off 1.4 seconds. And if the optional dynamic package is selected, the top speed limiter of 250km/h is lifted and both the RS6 and RS7 Performance can reach a top speed of 305km/h.
The revised engine management like the one found in the S8 Plus is responsible for this power upgrade. It is still powered by the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine paired to the eight-speed tiptronic gearbox, but the Quattro all-wheel drive system now sends more power to the rear under normal circumstances and a 40/60 front-rear torque distribution.
As a plus, both the RS6 and RS7 receives adaptive air suspension as standard, hunkering down the cars by 20mm. Audi also offers the stiffer RS sports suspension setup which features Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) and dynamic steering.
