FIRST DRIVE | Sampling the Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback performance models at Kyalami

If you are a regular reader of TimesLIVE Motoring then you will know Audi recently relaunched its driving experience: a world-class driving programme designed to teach safe driving techniques and performance modules in a controlled environment. A full-day course at Midrand’s Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and Franschhoek’s Plaaspad Racetrack, it ues a full range of Audi high-performance models such as the RS 3 Sedan and Sportback, RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Sportback, RS 6 Avant, RS Q8 and electric RS e-tron GT.

As a refresher — and a way to stir-up some media hype — Audi on Wednesday hosted members of the local motoring press at Kyalami in a special event tailored not only to showcase this skills-building offering but also introduce us to the new RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback performance; two freshly launched flagships offering some serious firepower.

Compared to the “standard” RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback models, now no longer available on the SA market, these performance derivatives up the ante with more potent 4.0l twin-turbocharged V8 engines featuring larger turbochargers, increased boost pressure (2.6 bar up from 2.4 bar) and remapped ECU software. The upshot of this modding exercise is an absolutely mega 463kW (+22kW) and 850Nm (+50Nm) of torque. Claimed performance is rapid enough to give supercars sleepless nights with both models capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reaching a limited top speed of 250km/h. Specify the optional (R90,000) RS dynamic package plus and the latter is increased to 280km/h.

Backing up this increased muscle is some welcomed weight reduction. Indeed, thanks to Audi ripping out a fair amount of insulation material both performance derivatives weigh exactly 8kg less than the standard models they replace. For interest sake you’re looking at 2,090kg for RS 6 Avant and 2,065kg for the RS 7 Sportback. Owners can save a further 20kg by ticking the box on lightweight 22-inch 5-Y spoke design alloy wheels (R47,600).

But enough of these spec-sheet semantics — what you really want to know is how these Teutonic juggernauts drive. While my seat time was limited to just two hot laps in each, I was immediately struck by how fast these machines are in a straight line. In fact if I wasn’t told to leave a gap between myself and the driving experience instructor leading our chain of vehicles, I would have had no problem matching or even passing his R8 Coupé down the lengthy Kyalami main straight. Whether you pick the RS 6 Avant or RS 7 Sportback, both models will blow you away with their innate ability to reel in the horizon so effortlessly. 

The soundtrack is unfortunately a bit muted. Even with less sound-deadening material, the timbre of both models would certainly benefit from a bit more crackle and pop. 

While many of my peers chose to leave the eight-speed Tipronic transmission to its own devices, I switched it to full manual mode so I could swap cogs using the shifter paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Audi has upgraded this gearbox’s software for quicker shift times and it certainly felt pleasingly rapid when negotiating the twistier sections of the circuit. Honestly, it feels every bit as snappy as a more complex dual-clutch unit. My only criticism here is aimed at the shift paddles; the action of which feel less considered than the ones on my sim-racing wheel. Audi, please engineer in more of a tactile “click”. 

For such large vehicles, offering so much everyday liveability, both these models offer surprisingly sharp handling at the limit. The RS 6 Avant I found to be particularly impressive; disguising its considerable heft and sniffing out apexes with as much verve as its smaller RS4 Avant stablemate. It’s a real testament to the talents of the Audi engineers.

With its standard RS adaptive air suspension set to Dynamic mode, initial turn-in is crisp and immediate while tremendous mid-corner stability feeds your confidence to unleash all of this wagon’s power on corner exit. And when you do, you can feel that quattro all-wheel drive system working hard to automatically shift torque to the axle needing it most. While lovers of power oversteer histrionics might wish to look somewhere else, those seeking an easy way to go fast will be smitten by what these Audi performance models bring to the party; they really are designed to flatter whoever is sat behind the wheel. 

An extra layer of driver involvement can be added by specifying the aforementioned RS dynamic package plus, which bolts on dynamic all-wheel steering and a trick rear sport differential designed to send more torque to the outside rear wheel for increased traction and cornering stability. We have experienced this in the RS3 and it works beautifully. 

Equipped with RS steel brakes with glossy red calipers as standard (more hard-core ceramics are available as an option), stopping power is adequate on both models and I experienced zero fade during my limited on-track excursions. So for everyday driving on regular roads we expect this system to more than suffice the needs of average drivers. 

Now, while I didn’t really take time to dwell on each car’s interior amenities, I do recall both offering excellent driving positions with seats that kept even my skinny frame from rattling around through high g-load corners such as the Jukskei Sweep and The Esses. 

Marrying extreme speed and size-belying driving dynamics, the new RS 6 Avant or RS 7 Sportback performance models are a welcome addition to the local Audi line-up and certainly worth a look at if you’re on the market for a do-it-all performance car with enough space for the whole family (and the dog, if you spring for that wondrous wagon). 

Pricing is as follows:

• RS 6 Avant performance: R 2,332,700
• RS 7 Sportback performance: R 2,444,500

Pricing above is inclusive of a five-year/100,000 km Audi Freeway Plan.

Click here for more information about the Audi driving experience.