Audi announces pricing for all-new high-performance 2014 Audi RS 7

- Pricing starts at $104,900 for highly-anticipated Audi RS 7 five-door coupe
- Audi RS 7 is the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S.
- RS 7 launches from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds

Pricing for the all-new high-performance 2014 Audi RS 7 – the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S. – will begin at $104,900. The RS 7, the epitome of aesthetic design, innovative technology and track-tested performance, debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms this fall.

The high-power Audi RS 7 adds to the expanding A7 model line, which is enhanced for the 2014 model year with the addition of the all-new fuel-efficient A7 TDI® clean diesel model, in addition to the A7 3.0T and S7 4.0T variants.

Performance

The Audi RS 7 is fitted with a twin-turbo 4.0 TFSI V8 engine, producing an astounding 560 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Launching from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, the RS 7 has a top track speed of 174 mph.

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-cylinder modes. The active noise cancellation system is not needed on the RS 7 because of the low exhaust frequencies of the exhaust that are befitting of an RS model. For those that enjoy an even more performance-oriented exhaust tone, a sport exhaust is available with black finishers.

Mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission, the RS 7 features the Audi quattro® all-wheel drive system with sport differential for superior grip and handling.

The RS 7 is fitted with a robust brake system employing internally ventilated and perforated discs in a weight-saving wave design; the front discs are 15.4 inches in diameter and the rear discs are 14 inches in diameter. The wave-shaped outer contour of the friction rings reduces unsprung mass by a total of about 6.61 lbs. The brake calipers are painted black and are also available in red.

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, Audi Singleframe® grille in aluminum matte or high-gloss black, honeycomb grille inserts and heated, auto-dimming and power-folding exterior mirrors. 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

Inside, the RS 7 exudes sportiness and power with its three-spoke perforated multifunction sport steering wheel with contrast stitching and RS 7 emblem, sport seats in Valcona leather with honeycomb quilting, and RS-specific shift **** and interior door handles.

The RS 7 also features 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 Audi RS 7 starts with the Prestige equipment level, which offers a multitude of technologies including the groundbreaking Audi MMI® touch with handwriting recognition. With 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.

The RS 7 is equipped standard with 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.

The optional Night Vision Assistant can detect pedestrians approximately 300 ft. ahead of the vehicle; once a pedestrian is registered, the system highlights him/her in yellow. If the pedestrian moves into the anticipated path of the vehicle, he/she is highlighted in red and accompanied by an acoustic warning.

A cornerview camera is part of the Driver Assistance plus package, and the available adaptive cruise control and Audi pre sense plus enhances safety for drivers and their passengers.

Audi connect®

The 2014 Audi RS 7 is 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 complimentary 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).

Watch a video on the 2014 Audi RS 7 here: http://youtu.be/1kf_c-ELXwE

This is the revised Audi A7 Sportback undergoing winter tests in Europe. Likely to wear a 2015MY moniker, the sleek looking executive model from Ingolstadt will gain some modest cosmetic tweaks along with updated features and engines.

The front and rear bumpers hidden beneath this swirly camouflage appear to have been revised, while we also see new integrated exhaust pipes, updated front headlamps adopting Audi's new Matrix LED system and revised tail lamp clusters with a light display that looks very similar to recent Lamborghini models.

Under the hood, much like the recently refreshed A8 saloon, the 2015 A7 should gain some power and efficiency improvements.

Look for the updated A7 Sportback to make its world premiere at one of the upcoming international auto shows this year.

A bog standard Audi RS7 Sportback with a 552hp (560PS) twin-turbo V8 will cost you $104,900, plus $895 for destination and delivery (D&H) fees. For the new "exclusive" RS7 Dynamic Edition with the same 552hp 4.0-liter unit that debuts this week at the New York Auto Show, Audi commands no less than $146,045, again without D&H. So what gives?

Well, that's the price you pay for styling individuality plus the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) instead of the adaptive air suspension, and a sports exhaust.

On the outside, what you get are 21-inch Gloss Black wheels, Tornado Red brake calipers, a quattro grille, and a carbon fiber package comprising a front splitter, rear diffuser, front bumper trims, and mirror caps. There are four colors to choose from, named Ibis White, Suzuka Gray metallic, Daytona Gray pearl and Phantom Black pearl.

Interior highlights include Black Valcona leather sport seats with an RS specific honeycomb stitch in Crimson Red that matches the color of the safety belts. The same style stitching is also found on the dashboard, gear shifter boot, center and door armrests as well as along the center console. Carbon fiber inlays complete the changes inside.

“The Audi exclusive RS 7 dynamic edition exemplifies just some of the personalization options that are possible through our Audi exclusive program”, commented Filip Brabec, Director of Product Planning, Audi of America. “The combination of our most powerful RS model ever and the added customized elements make this a truly special car to drive and to behold.”

Feel free to voice your thoughts about this edition and whether it justifies the $41,145 premium over the standard RS7 in the comments box.

$146,045

Revised tail lamp fixtures with a Lamborghini-like display…Check; new rear bumper with the exhausts neatly tucked away behind faux chrome tips…Check; a free standing tablet-like infotainment screen on top of the center console…Check; slimmer and sharper looking headlights on either side of the reworked grille…Check.

All that said, we're pretty sure that the undisguised Audi A7 Sportback seen in the film shot in Moscow and which was sent to us by our friend Кирилл from Russia, is indeed the facelifted model.

We suspect that Audi will also introduce new colors and interiors trims, along with some new tech features such as the Matrix LED headlamps, and possibly improve the efficiency of certain powertrains as it did with the A8 sedan.

The updated A7 series should make its way to showrooms around the world by next year.

Audi has operated the first facelift on the A7 Sportback, with the large five-door liftback getting a fresh look and updated technology. The most striking exterior changes involve the reshaped singleframe grille, new LED headlights and taillights, redesigned bumpers and tailpipes.

LED technology is now standard on all A7 Sportback models, with Matrix LED headlights available as an option. The latter also come equipped with dynamic turn signals at the front (standard at the rear).

On the inside, the A7 Sportback gets new materials including the aluminum/Beaufort walnut inlay and Valcona leather. New colors are available as well, with up to five seat colors to choose from.

In Europe, the facelifted Audi A7 Sportback is available with two gasoline and three diesel units with outputs ranging from 218PS (215hp) to 333PS (328hp). Among these there’s the new 3.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel engine producing 272PS (268 hp), which is also available in an “ultra” version with 218PS (215 hp) and front-wheel drive. In this configuration, the A7 Sportback averages just 4.7 l/100 km (50 mpg US), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 122 grams per kilometer.

The Audi S7 Sportback continues to be offered with the 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine which has been uprated to 450PS (444hp) and features Cylinder on Demand (COD) technology. There is also a 3.0-liter TDI Biturbo Clean Diesel, which produces 320PS (316hp) and is mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, while all other engine configurations have a 7-speed S Tronic transmission. In FWD models, the dual-clutch transmission has been fully redeveloped, replacing the Multitronic.

The refreshed A7 Sportback will arrive in dealerships in late summer 2014, with a base price of €51,300 ($70,100) in Germany. The Audi S7 Sportback starts from €82,300 ($112,463).

On sale late summer

Audi has taken the wraps off the 2015 A7/S7 Sportback facelift which is programmed to go on sale towards the end of the summer.

The mild makeover starts at the front where the A7/S7 duo has received a tweaked single-frame grille as well as a reshaped bumper while the Matrix LED headlights are now optionally available and come with dynamic turn signals that are standard on the taillights. The back changes are limited as we only notice a modestly revised bumper and updated exhaust pipes.

On the inside there aren't any significant differences but Audi has added new materials such as the aluminum/Beaufort walnut inlay and Valcona leather, along with a revised color palette that includes five hues for the seats.

In terms of motorization, the updated A7 Sportback can be had with Audi's recently introduced V6 3.0 TDI Clean Diesel outputting 272 PS (200 kW) or 218 PS (160 kW) in the more frugal "ultra" variant where it returns 50 mpg US (60 mpg UK or 4.7 liters / 100 km) with CO2 emissions of 122 g/km.

There's also a more powerful 3.0 TDI bi-turbo with 320 PS (235 kW) mated to an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox while the rest of the engines come with a 7-speed S tronic. Speaking of other engines, Audi offers a 4.0 TFSI with 450 PS (331 kW) for the hotter S7 derivative which benefits from cylinder-on-demand technology.

Audi has updated the MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch which now benefits from an Nvidia graphics processor and comes as standard with Internet connectivity via LTE. Assistance systems include night vision, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, active lane assist, side assist and Audi's pre sense safety system.

Sales of the A7/S7 facelift are slated to kick off late this summer at a starting price in Germany of 51,300 EUR for the A7 and 82,300 EUR for the S7.