2023 Audi RS7 Review: A Faster Luxury Performance Sedan Than the CT5-V Blackwing?

Exterior Design and Features

• 🚀 The 2023 Audi RS7 boasts an aggressive and business-like exterior with a metallic blue finish, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and massive brakes.
• 💡 Notable features include LED lighting, functional corner air vents with heat exchangers, a blacked-out Audi badge, and a lower lip splitter for enhanced cooling.
• 🔑 The sportback design offers sleek proportions and a practical rear hatch area, complemented by a panoramic sunroof and gloss black accents.
• ⚠️ A point of contention is the smaller rear brake calipers compared to the substantial front ones, despite the vehicle's rear-wheel-drive bias and quattro all-wheel-drive system.
• ✨ The rear features clean LED lighting, an active rear wing, and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust with a carbon fiber surround, noted for its quality and sound.

Powertrain and Performance

• 🏎️ Under the hood lies a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine producing 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
• ⚡ It achieves 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a quarter-mile in 11 seconds at 124 mph, though its top speed is governed to 155 mph.
• ⚖️ The vehicle weighs 4,947 lbs, with fuel economy rated at 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
• 🔊 The Akrapovič exhaust system is highlighted for its exceptional sound, contributing significantly to the driving experience.

Interior Comfort and Technology

• 💎 The interior features carbon fiber and aluminum trim, ambient lighting, and red contrast stitching, with soft-touch materials on the armrests.
• 🔊 A 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is integrated into the door panels and dashboard.
• 📱 A 10.1-inch infotainment system provides access to RS pages for vehicle data and Audi drive select modes, including a dynamic mode that lowers the car via adaptive air suspension.
• ⚙️ Controls for dual climate zones, heated and ventilated seats, and volume are managed through touchscreens with haptic feedback and real volume knobs, though some gloss black trim is criticized.
• 💺 The seats are upholstered in leather with embossed RS logos and red stitching, offering excellent bolstering and full electric adjustment, complemented by a smaller panoramic sunroof with Alcantara lining.

Driving Dynamics and Practicality

• 🛣️ The RS7 offers a precise and engaging driving experience, with the quattro all-wheel-drive system providing exceptional grip, especially during launch control.
• 💨 The 8-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth shifts during light throttle and purposeful, precise shifts under hard acceleration.
• 📦 Practicality is a strong suit, with 25 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear with seats up, expandable to 49 cubic feet when folded down.
• 🚗 The vehicle is described as a perfect daily driver that can also handle twisty roads with ease, offering a comfortable yet exhilarating performance package.

Value and Conclusion

• 💰 This 2023 Audi RS7 is listed for $97,000, significantly less than its original MSRP of around $140,000, making it a potentially attractive used purchase.
• 👍 The reviewer praises Audi's interior quality and the overall performance package, concluding it's a mind-boggling performance car that offers excellent value when considering depreciation.