2021 Audi RS7 is more powerful than its looks suggest

MANILA: Looking like a mild-mannered Clark Kent with the Superman suit underneath the coat and tie, the 2021 Audi RS7 is one rumbling, grumbling, mean machine.

Audi calls the exterior “the most powerful iteration” of the sportback design, We're not buying it. The three-dimensional RS-specific honeycomb structure of the Singleframe grille is probably the most aggressive feature on its body.

The wheel arches were flared one-inch wider, there’s a new bumper, a lip spoiler that opens up at speeds above 100kph, and even an RS exhaust system but it still doesn’t raise hairs.

What does give us goosebumps is the promised performance from what it has underneath.

The engine is a 4.0-liter TFSI bi-turbo V8 with 591hp and 801Nm of torque that sends the RS7 from zero to 100kph in just 3.5 seconds all the way to a top speed of 305kph.

It comes standard with quattro sport differential that actively splits torque between each of the rear wheels during cornering and has the ability to send all torque to just one wheel.

Transmission is an eight-speed triptronic with optimized shift times and new launch control function.

Stopping power comes from RS ceramic brakes that are available in red or gray painted calipers.

Holding it up is an RS adaptive air suspension system with controlled damping specifically tuned to the vehicle. It has three difference modes as well that drivers can choose from.

An RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), is also available which integrates roll and pitch compensation. DRC uses steel springs and three-way adjustable dampers to counteract the movements of the vehicle body without the use of electronics.

Driving characteristics can be adjusted via the Audi drive select system. Six profiles are available, including customizable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes that can be enabled directly from an “RS MODE” button on the steering wheel.

The RS 7 sits 0.4 inch lower than the A7 when "auto," "comfort," or "efficiency" modes are selected. At speeds above 75mph or in ‘dynamic’ mode, the air suspension lowers the body another 0.4 inches.

Standard dynamic all-wheel steering enables the steering angle of the front and rear wheels to be adjusted independently, allowing for increased maneuverability at low speeds and maximum stability at high speeds.

The cabin comes with RS accents including a 10.1-inch using MMI touch response with natural handwriting input with whole-word recognition, plus haptic and acoustic feedback features, and 8.6-inch display for climate control, comfort, and other convenience features.

Standard second-generation Audi virtual cockpit features a 12.3-inch display that offers HD resolution of 1920 x 720 pixels.

Special RS displays provide information on tire pressure, torque, power output, engine oil temperature, boost pressure, lap times, acceleration measurements and g forces.

Standard RS sport seats are upholstered with Valcona leather with a honeycomb pattern and RS embossing. The fully perforated, heated RS sport leather steering wheel features new large RS aluminum shift paddles on either side of the wheel.

Also read: 2021 Audi A3 Sportback gets a new look