Audi RS6 and RS7 performance get 750Nm, 3.7sec 0-100km/h

The Audi RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback now have another word to join their name – performance.

Not that it needs to be stated when the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine does more talking than a badge ever could, but in new RS6 performance and RS7 Performance guise it now makes 445kW – up 33kW.

The revised engine is the same unit found in the S8 plus revealed earlier this year. The power increase also leap-frogs the 430kW delivered by the 5.5-litre V8 Mercedes-AMG E63 and CLS63, and the 441kW offered by the 4.4-litre V8 BMW M6 coupe. There’s no love lost in a German power war.

Where the V8 makes power on the tachometer changes slightly, from between 5700rpm and 6600rpm to a higher 6100rpm and 6800rpm, and the standard 700Nm holds strong for another 500rpm, from between 1750rpm and 6000rpm.

We mention the revs first, because anywhere from 2500rpm and 5500rpm the turbo V8 now delivers an overboost function extending torque to a monstrous 750Nm.

A carry-over eight-speed automatic sends all that grunt to four 21-inch wheels and tyres (285mm for RS6 Avant, 275mm for RS7 Sportback).

This all results in a standstill to 100km/h sprint time of 3.7 seconds, wiping 0.2sec off the time of the, erm, non-performance RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback. After 12.1sec the near-twins will reach 200km/h as the lead over the standard models extends to 1.2sec.

An optional top speed of 305km/h is a worthy pick if you live near an autobahn (250km/h is standard, 280km/h a mid-way option, as before).

Exterior styling remains similar, though the Ascari blue paint is a performance-grade exclusive. Inside there’s exterior colour-matched lighting and stitching for the leather, sports seats with beefier bolstering and Alcantara-trimmed kneepads on the lower dash.

Audi Australia says the performance models will arrive in the second quarter of next year. Pricing is yet to be announced, but there will likely be a premium over the $229,110 RS6 Avant and $241,610 RS7 Sportback.