Greed
With more power comes the hankering for
more power. Not quite so with the RS 7 Sport-back. A big 4.0-litre twin-turbo
FSI V8 engine is more than enough. It makes 560 PS between 5,700 and 6,600 RPM
with a hefty 700 Nm of torque coming in from 1,750 to 5,000 revs. It also
features cylinder management, running on four cylinders when required. There’s
no sudden build-up, it’s all progressive. The power flows to the quattro
all-wheel-drive system through a new eight-speed automatic transmission and
self-locking centre differential. The RS 7 just handles it. It can, all of it,
with aplomb. It makes you push. It coaxes you to try your limits. It makes you
want more of the road, and it lays the rubber down when you go all out and try
and hit the apex. The Audi Drive Select modes help tailor the package further.
21”
wheels with smears of rubber around still offer great ride quality
Wrath
What matte-grey, twin-turbo V8 sports car
would not want to have an aggressive stance? The RS 7, with its dark theme, big
21-inch wheels, low-profile rubber and even bigger black front grille with a
‘quattro’ emblazoned lower air-dam completes the menacing look. The 4.0-litre
TFSI V8 starts up with a subtle low-frequency burble. Get on the move and it
stealthily picks up speed effortlessly. Hit 2,000 revs and the turbochargers
spool up, emanating the sound of jet turbines gathering thrust. The awe of that
lasts until 3,000 RPM when your mind begins to focus on the bellows beginning
to warm up. As you approach and cross 5,000 revs, the engine goes on song. The
rude braps from the quad tail-pipes cause tingles that crack a wider grin with
each expulsion of carbon dioxide! Step on it, and the burble and bellowing peak
with a crackle and pop. 100 km/h takes just over four seconds! The red-line is
6,600 and you really don’t want to cross that threshold for your own good.
Full-blown
V8 offers Gallardo power and even more torque with effortless delivery
Envy
The RS 7 is as distinct as it can get. It
grabs eyeballs on the road and, at over five metres long, it’s longer than some
highly prestigious and revered premium luxury family saloons. Yet, the Sport-back
avatar makes it highly desirable, drawing envious glances and longing stares
from surrounding populace. Come to a standstill and the powered tailgate gives
access to a big 535-litre boot. Push a button and it shuts itself, drawing more
stares and mouthed opinions from those at large. Practicality. It’s got that
too!
Four
rings to rule them all, and, with quattro, bind them
Pride
Yes, it’s an Audi, but it’s like few other
Audis. A dark fastback with piercing all-LED eyes and a subtle red LED rear
signature on the move isn’t something anyone comes across too often. Then
there’s the RS badge which makes you smile on the inside, knowing you don’t
need any better. It’s limited to 250 km/h, but with the Dynamic Package Plus,
that is raised to 305 km/h. Coming to efficiency, the RS 7 delivered four
kilometres to the litre in the city and seven on the highway; not bad for a
four-wheel drive, two-tonne V8 2+2 sports car. Oh, it also costs Rs 1.29 crore
plus tax!
Retractable
rear spoiler and rear diffuser help negate lift at the rear
There is nothing I would change about the
RS 7. Yes, it’s very tempting. Yes, it’s very practical too, and, dare I say
it, you can use it every day. It’s a cheetah in panther’s clothing and it has
the will and the heart as well. It is aimed at a specific market, and given
what it brings, you just can’t go wrong!
