2023 Audi RS6, RS7 Performance unveiled

Audi has turned on the wick for its groundbreaking four-door coupe and five-door station wagon.

The RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback now feature new performance trim with more power, a new center differential, new wheels and tires and a number of trim upgrades compared to the standard car.

It is not yet clear whether the RS6 and the RS7 Performance will come down under.

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Power still comes from a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine, but the RS6 and RS7 now pump out 463kW and 850Nm. That’s 22 kW and 50 Nm more than the regular models, thanks to larger turbos with a boost pressure of 2.6 bar (+0.2 bar).

An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard and has been retuned to shift faster when you’re flat out and move smoother when cruising.

The 100km/h sprint is said to take 3.4 seconds, up from 3.6s in the standard car, and you’ll hit 305km/h at full throttle with the speed limiter removed.

Under the skin, Audi has optimized the center differential of its quattro all-wheel drive system. It is smaller and lighter and can send up to 70 percent of the engine’s torque to the front axle or 85 percent to the rear axle.

“Noticeably more precise steering and therefore less understeer in the limit area,” promises Audi of the updated system.

A set of 21-inch wheels is standard, but 22s are optional. They’re wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 7 tires and, in the case of the larger wheels, save 20kg of the car’s unsprung mass.

Along with the wheels, you can identify the “Performance” models by their metallic and matte Ascari Blue or matte Dew Silver paint options. There’s a huge range of matte gray add-ons, although matte carbon is optional.

Inside, the RS6 and RS7 Performance feature extensive microfiber trimmings, complete with contrasting color accents and stitching.

MORE: All Audi RS6MORE: All Audi RS7