Audi->ke14 updated the RS7->ke3727 for the 2015 model year, bringing improvements to the exterior and interior. On the outside, the car gets a new Singleframe headlamp design with LED running lamps, a slightly altered front fascia, revised taillights, and a sharper radiator grille. Furthermore, Audi has added four new colors to the color pallet, including Floret Silver, Glacier White, Mythos Black, and Sepang Blue. On the inside, the car got an updated instrument cluster, new shifter paddles, new air vents, and an update to the standard MMI infotainment system. Audi didn’t do much to the 4.0-liter V-8 under the hood, so it produces 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. On the other hand, there are two optional “dynamics” packages available offering a top speed of 174 mph or 190 mph, depending on which package is chosen.

As always, the RS7 can easily trump a lot of sports cars out there, and proves to be a strong competitor for similar vehicles from BMW->ke178’s M->ke546 performance division and Mercedes-AMG->ke4853. That’s a pretty bold statement for a car that has only been around since 2013, but with 500 ponies on tap, there is plenty of oomph to back it up. Considering 2015 was really just a facelift, there should be a new model sometime before the end of the decade.

For 2016, the model carried on unchanged from the previous year’s facelift, as did the starting price of $108,000. So, why don’t we take a look at the 2015 – 2016 Audi RS7 and talk about all fine print that we haven’t covered yet.

Continue reading to learn more about the Audi RS 7 Sportback.

Exterior

The exterior of the Audi RS7 was striking before, but with the new updates, Audi has found a way to refine the shape and give us a crisper design that is somehow even more attractive. The new A7’s Singleframe headlamp design with its altered LED running lamps makes its way over the RS7, but you can opt for the Matrix LED technology with RS7-exclusive darkened trims. The same menacing front end returns with mildly altered bumper, but it retains the massive front intakes. The grille has been given a visual tweak, thanks to a design with sharper edges and angles. The trim around the new nose can be ordered in your choice of matte aluminum (seen here), glass black or carbon.

The back of the car stays mostly the same, but the taillamps have been updated. Audi is bringing four new colors to the table for the 2015 RS7; three metallic shades, Floret Silver, Glacier White, and Mythos Black, and one pearl effect color, Sepang Blue. The machine does come standard with lightweight, 20-inch forged alloys, but 21-inch, cast-aluminum wheels are offered as an option, and it comes in three color options.

2015 Audi RS7 - Exterior Dimensions

Interior

Audi has seen fit to enhance the interior a bit as well. The most striking difference over the base A7 are the aggressively bolstered RS sport seats. The same attractive honeycomb shape from the grille is mirrored in the seat stitching, and the bright color of the thrones look stunning in contrast to the dark cabin. A close eye will also catch the slightly altered instrument cluster, air vent controls and shift paddles. Audi also saw fit to slightly update the Quattro emblem on the instrument panel.

MMI is standard in the RS7, and Audi was quick to note that it has now been upgraded to the latest generation model. If you are a bit of a tech nerd like I am, you will be entertained to hear that this whole system is powered silicon from Nvidia.

Drivetrain

But let’s be honest. It doesn’t matter how great it looks, you came here for the greasy, oily bits that Audi crammed under that sheet metal. The engine hasn’t been dramatically changed since last year, but that isn’t really a bad thing. The 4.0-liter V8 with its pair of turbochargers is good for 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of twist. Best yet, all that torque is available from just 1,750 rpm. Because Audi built this thing mostly out of aluminum, it doesn’t weight that much. Combine that relatively low weight with that monster engine and you can make the 0-to-62 sprint in 3.9 seconds. For reference, the 2014 Corvette Stingray with the Z51 performance package can only best that number 0.1 second.

Audi is even offering a pair optional “dynamics packages” that let this thing stretch its legs in the top end and reach a top speed of 174 mph or 190 mph depending on your choice of package.

As with most modern Audis, the engine sends its power through an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission to a quattro all-wheel-drive system powering all four wheels. If you so choose, Audi does offer the option of a sport differential for the rear axle for some extra fun and performance. Thanks to a tall eighth gear, Audi claims that the RS7 will manage upwards of 25 mpg.

2015 Audi RS7 - Drivetrain Specifications

Suspension and Brakes

To get the most out this engine in the non-straight parts of the road, Audi has put its signature RS adaptive air suspension under all four corners. The system is coupled with adaptive damping and it lets the RS sit 20 mm (0.78 inches) lower than its A7 counterpart. Aside from lowering the center of gravity for better handling performance, the drop in height gives the RS7 a menacing stance. For even better canyon carving, you can opt for the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control, but you will be sacrificing a small amount of comfort.

To make sure the RS7 can come down from speed as quickly as it accelerates, Audi has tucked carbon-ceramic brakes behind those lightweight alloy wheels.

Prices

There are no official U.S. prices for the new RS7 yet, but the Euro market car has only seen a price increase of &euro300 to a total of €113,300. The U.S. car currently carries a $104,900 price tag, so expect a $300 to $700 jump.

Competition

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG

I won’t try to argue the validity of Mercedes’ “four-door coupe” naming scheme, but sales numbers have made it painfully obvious the market wanted attractive four-doors. The original CLS created the segment, and Benz is looking to dominate it with the CLS63 AMG. With a 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V-8 under the hood making 577 horsepower, and a 0-to-60 time of 3.6 seconds, the AMG bests the numbers provided by the Audi RS7.

That said, if you like a bit of color in your life the CLS is out of the picture. It is currently available in 8 colors, all but one are some shade of silver, white or black. The outlier is a dark blue that is very greyish in its hue. Talk about boring.

The Mercedes also carries a slightly higher price tag of $106,500.

BMW M6 GranCoupe

The Mercedes and Audi are pretty evenly matched in regards to performance and price, but the BMW M6 GranCoupe is the outlier of the bunch. It is the least powerful of the group, the slowest to 60 mph and the only one without AWD. Despite all this, it carries the highest price with an MSRP of $115,300. That is a premium of more than 10 grand over the Audi, and almost $9,000 dearer than the all-powerful Mercedes.

BMW does have a strong tradition of making the best driving cars among the German three, and that Roundel on the hood carries strong pull with buyers. But I find it hard to believe that BMW has out-priced its competition to such a huge degree, considering it is coming into the fight on the back foot in regards to performance.

BMW has the talent to get more grunt from that 4.4-liter, TwinPower Turbo V-8, let’s hope it decides to pump that power up for next year, or this won’t be much of a competition. As it sits now, the M6 GranCoupe "only" pumps out 560 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, which is good for a 0-to-60 time of 4.1 seconds. Opting for the Competition Package bumps the output to 575 horsepower.

Conclusion

Overall the new 2015 Audi RS7 is a compelling package. It feels as though Audi has nearly perfected the combination of space, practicality, and speed that this segment was promising. The design is stunning and interesting without feeling to chintzy, the fuel economy isn’t terrible, and it will nearly hit 200 mph.

When you add in the fact that it is the cheapest of the big Germans, it starts to make even more sense. As with all performance cars, I would prefer an option for a manual transmission, but even I would have a hard time arguing with Audi every time I put that 560 horsepower to work.

Hey, horizon, I am coming at you hard and fast.