Feedback

2021 Audi RS 7 Sportback Review: 7 goes to 11

Derryn Wong
16/06/2021

Singapore’s first taste of the high-performance RS 7 Sportback is a forceful powerhouse that’s also full of familiar flexibility 


SINGAPORE – The Island finally gets a 7 that goes to 11, and it is glorious. This is the first time the Audi RS 7 Sportback has come to Singapore.

In the A7’s first generation, from 2010 to 2018, the RS model was never sold here on an official basis – the top-dog here was the semi-hot S7.

The A7 Sportback is Audi’s big four-door coupe, for those who think sedans are too boring and SUVs too gauche. Like any RS model, it’s an A7 that’s been cyborged-out and trained in the Dark Art of Going Very Fast by Audi Sport, the motorsport/high-performance outfit of the brand, formerly known as quattro GmbH.

And judging from the number of blinged-out, big-wheeled, body-kitted first-gen A7 Sportbacks on the roads, a high-performance A7 is something that will sell better than Audi’s staggeringly fast RS 6 Avant.

We use the RS 4 Avant to explain the appeal of Audi’s estates

We tested the first-gen RS 7 on a short test ride in the Alps way back in 2013, and it was charmingly GT fast, with an aggressive edge set off by the A7’s elegant styling.

2013 Audi RS 7 Sportback - Singapore- CarBuyer.com.sg
2013 Audi RS 7 Sportback

But the new RS 7 Sportback blows that car clear out of the mountain lake, even when standing still. 

Anorak tip: The first RS 7 didn’t get the flared-out wide-track treatment, but this baby does. The regular A7 is 1,908mm wide, but the RS 7 gains a mump-esque 48mm (making it wider than a Lamborghini Huracan) and with the normal A7 it only shares the bonnet, front doors, and roof – you can see the rear fenders bulging to contain the 22-inch wheels that are standard fit.

2021 Audi RS 7 Sportback - Singapore Review - CarBuyer.com.sg

There’s a grimacing front end with huge grille sections, a large rear diffuser and twin oval tailpipes, and all this murdered out in black. Okay, you might find that on a dedicated modder’s ride, but not the colossal brake system. The point is, this is a proper RS car, and definitely not a foam-in-your-(insert undergarment of choice here) type deal.  

2021 Audi RS 7 Sportback - Singapore Review - CarBuyer.com.sg

We could go on about the newest Quattro all-wheel drive system, the rear sport diff that makes the tail kick out like a rear-wheel drive car, the suspension setup – but more on the car’s running gear later. 

On paper the new car ‘only’ gains 40hp and 100Nm of torque from the first-gen, with the 0-100km/h time dropping from 3.9- to 3.6-seconds. But in real life the new RS 7 is a slightly mind-bending combination of two opposites – freakishly, ferociously quick and unruffled serenity – in one car. 



2021 Audi RS 7 Sportback - Singapore Review - CarBuyer.com.sg

While the regular A7 is already plenty refined, the RS 7 keeps that nature despite itself.  If you managed to smuggle someone into the low-slung, coupe-like monstrosity without them noticing the RS bits, or the V8’s start-up bark, they wouldn’t be much the wiser as the RS 7 can waft along with the best of them.

2021 Audi RS 7 Sportback - Singapore Review - CarBuyer.com.sg - 22inch wheel



Double-glazed windows help cut wind noise, and the lack of obvious tyre roar (common on performance cars) is a plus, but that the car can deliver such good ride quality despite 22-inch wheels (this one can’t, in contrast) is also near miraculous. 

Page 2: What’s the RS 7 like when you turn it up to 11?


Pages: 1 2

Tags:

5 seat 5-door Audi hatchback petrol rs 7 sportback

About the Author

Derryn Wong

CarBuyer's former chief editor was previously the editor for Top Gear Singapore and a presenter for CNA's Cruise Control motoring segment.

Related Models

Loading...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CarBuyer – Revolutionizing The Online Car Marketplace In Singapore

Buy Used And New Cars Online
Start your car buying journey with CarBuyer as we connect you seamlessly to the industry’s best CaseTrust-SVTA accredited car dealerships. As a one stop car online portal you can now buy your new ride, be it a pre-owned car or a brand new car from trusted dealers all over Singapore, all in one place. Our ever expanding listing of quality and covet-worthy cars, new and second hand, from both owners and trusted car dealers, will leave you spoilt for choice. Refine your search by vehicle type, registration year, price, mileage, engine type, transmission, annual depreciation value and more to find the car that best suits your needs, taste and lifestyle. You can even search for your car by dealer or directly by owner.

Sell Your Car In An Instant With Confidence
We all know how selling a car in Singapore can be a daunting task especially for a first time car seller; from trying to get a valuation for your car, finding a trusted dealer, to getting the best quote on your vehicle. CarBuyer understands the hassle and even the costs involved and have as such partnered with Huawei to develop a FIRST in Southeast Asia AI car valuation tool that is able to provide a car’s resale value at the snap of a finger. Backed with a consortium of trusted CaseTrust-SVTA accredited car dealers you can be assured that you are getting the best price for your vehicle and do not have to worry about any hidden costs.

The Ultimate Car Shopping Experience Online
CarBuyer platform is the first of its kind to be backed by Huawei’s Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing, enabling it to be able to offer users transparency and enhanced security, all with the one aim of enhancing customer experience. So come on over to buy and sell used cars online at the best prices at CarBuyer Singapore. Connect easily with dealers in real-time via our online video call feature, or schedule a test drive when you’re ready. Have some questions? Get them answered instantly with our chatbot moderated by our responsive team. Stay in the loop with our car-related tips, reviews and news. Learn the ins-and-outs of your car, as well as global and Singapore’s car updates at your own pace.