Audi has launched the RS7 Performance in India at Rs 1.60 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new Performance variant of the RS7 uses the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, but it now cranks out not 560, but a massive 605hp, which makes for a staggering 151hp per litre. And while torque is still pegged at 700Nm, the RS7 Performance now comes with an overboost function that’s activated when you’re going flat out, and that, for a limited time, winds it up to 750Nm. It also shares the eight-speed torque-converter automatic and Quattro AWD with the standard car.
Audi claims the RS7 Performance does a 0-100 sprint in 3.7sec. We managed to clock an even quicker 3.5sec in our first drive. Key elements on the exteriors that differentiate the RS7 Performance from the “lesser” RS7s are smoked head and tail-lamps, special paint finish and huge 21-inch alloy wheels. It also gets a new Drive Select toggle button that helps drivers switch between Comfort, Auto, Dynamic or Individual modes without taking their eyes off the road.
On the inside, it gets new 'RS' sport seats with special Valcona leather, additional aluminium bits on the dash along with piano black highlights and carbon-fibre inlays, the instrument cluster design has been tweaked, there are new shift paddles and additional subtle updates to name a few.
Read our Audi RS7 Performance review