Audi has decided to up the performance of the 2023 RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback with the introduction of new Performance versions. The new versions not only add more power, but also some styling and chassis upgrades.
Under the hood the 4.0-liter TFSI V8 gets larger turbochargers to add an additional 30 horsepower and 37 pound-feet of torque. The final specs are 621 hp and 627 lb-ft. The V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all that power is sent to all four wheels thanks to the Quattro self-locking center differential, which features a default rear-biased 40:60 torque split.Â
The RS Performance models lose 17.6 pounds thanks to less cabin insulation, which also means that you get to hear the engine and exhaust more. The extra power and less weight means that the RS Performance models can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster. The RS Performance models have a top speed of 180 mph.
Buyers can choose either the standard 21-inch wheels or the new forged 22-inch lightweight wheels. The lightweight wheels drop 11 pounds per wheel compared to the 22-inch wheels on the standard RS 6 and RS 7 and are wrapped in 285/30 R22 Continental Sport Contact 7 high-performance tires.
Both models come standard with the RS Dynamic Package, which includes the increased top speed, all-wheel steering and the quattro sport differential on the rear axle. The available RS Dynamics Package plus increases the top speed to 190 mph and includes an RS ceramic brake system with gray, red, or blue calipers. The RS ceramic brake system reduces 75 pounds of unsprung weight.
Inside the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus has been upgraded with a new a blinking shift indicator in manual transmission mode which changes the rpm display from green to yellow to red, to indicate the best time to change gears. The RS design packages in gray and red have been expanded to include the blue as an option.
The RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance versions are available in a total of 16 exterior colors. The performance models stand out with standard RS exterior components in matte gray, including the exterior mirrors, the front spoiler, the front side flaps, the side sill inserts, the roof rails, and the trim on the side windows and rear diffuser. A matte carbon/black optics package is also an option, which changes the roof rails and trim on the side windows to black.
The 2023 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance and RS 7 Sportback Performance are available to order in Europe next month, but Audi has not announced the availability in North America.
