Sportiness meets efficiency - the new Audi S6 and S7 models make their entrance with a torquey V6 TDI engine, offering customers in Europe the ideal performance models for the long haul. For the first time, Audi has combined an electric powered compressor with a 48-volt primary electrical system. The S sport suspension with damping control, dynamic all-wheel steering and the ceramic brake system tick all the boxes for dynamic cornering and deceleration. The striking design with the sophisticated looks of an S model lends these sporty full-size models particular presence.

"Torque kick": electric powered compressor and 700 Nm of torque

The huge torque peaking at 700 newton-meters (516.3 lb-ft) constantly available on demand to the driver across an engine speed range of 2,500 to 3,100 rpm is the ideal basis for performance-minded customers in Europe. The S TDI models offer high driving dynamics and efficiency - an especially attractive combination for long-distance driving. With the S6 and S7 TDI models Audi systematically takes the successful drive concept of the SQ7 TDI to the next level. For the first time, Audi's engineers have paired an electric powered compressor with a 48-volt primary electrical system.

This takes the three-liter V6 TDI's total power output to 257 kW (349 hp). Power transmission is handled by the eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, which always operates in tandem with quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Spontaneous helper: the electric powered compressor

The electric powered compressor delivers high starting performance. As well as very vigorous acceleration, the electric supercharger provides a repeatable boost function when accelerating. This means the EPC pre-empts any hint of turbo lag, and enables high responsiveness and powerful acceleration in every driving situation.

The EPC's response time is under 250 milliseconds, its peak output is seven kilowatts and its maximum speed is 70,000 rpm. The electric turbocharger's boost function extends all the way to an engine speed of 1,650 rpm. Thanks to dual supercharging, in other words the EPC working in tandem with the exhaust turbocharger, the full-size S models achieve a constant torque of 700 newton-meters (516.3 lb-ft) across an engine speed range of 2,500 to 3,100 rpm. The EPC supports the TDI's turbocharger whenever there is insufficient energy in the exhaust gas for a spontaneous torque buildup - when starting off or accelerating at low load, from a low engine speed.

The EPC, which visually resembles a conventional turbocharger, is mounted directly on the engine in the intake air path behind the intercooler. In most operating statuses it is circumvented by a bypass. However if the load demanded by the accelerator is high and the energy available on the turbine side is low, the bypass valve closes, guiding the intake air to the EPC. The compressed air flows directly into the combustion chamber.

The result: spontaneous response and impressive pulling power when accelerating, overtaking and for changes of load. That places the entire power of the 3.0 TDI engine immediately at the driver's disposal whenever they require it. In everyday driving, the technology avoids frequent downshifts, keeps the engine speed level low and suppresses the turbo lag to which a conventional exhaust turbocharger is susceptible.

The EPC paves the way for an impressive starting performance. The V6-TDI complete with EPC propels the new S6 Sedan from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.0 seconds, with the Audi S6 Avant and S7 Sportback taking a tenth of a second longer over the standard sprint. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph).

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For the United States, Asia and Middle East: the S6 and S7 models with 2.9 TFSI

In overseas markets - to reflect local customer preferences and driving profiles - the S6 and S7 will be available as the 2.9 TFSI with an output of 450 hp and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque. Like the TDI models, the V6 gasoline version will be equipped with both the EPC and the 48-volt MHEV system, for more performance and efficiency.

The first Audi for China developed through the SAIC joint venture is debuting this week at Auto Shanghai 2021. Complementing the Audi-FAW A6L sedan and regular A7, the A7L eschews the Sportback body style of its global cousin and opts instead for a traditional sedan with a proper trunk lid. With customers in the People's Republic having a soft spot for rear legroom, the newcomer has a significantly longer wheelbase than the original Sportback.

The distance between the axles has grown by 98 millimeters (3.85 inches) to 3,026 mm (119.1 in) and the whole car now measures a stately 5,076 mm (199.8 in). It's still overall shorter than the standard A8, but curiously, the wheelbase is a smidge longer compared to the non-LWB A8.

There's not much to say about the design since the A7L is basically a stretched sedan derivative of the Sportback. That holds true for the interior as well, effectively carried over from the liftback model, with the obvious change being the abundance of legroom for passengers sitting in the back.

The car featured here is the First Edition equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine featuring mild-hybrid tech. It offers 335 horsepower (250 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters) of torque channeled to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission.

An air suspension comes as standard, and so does four-wheel steering to make the large sedan easier to maneuver in a tight space and increase stability during high-speed cornering. The First Edition is capped at 1,000 examples and is essentially equipped with all the bells and whistles for early adopters looking to get an elongated A7 with a conventional trunk.

Much like the A6L, the new A7L will be produced and sold in China alongisde the regular A7 Sportback. Audi says customer deliveries are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2022. The Four Rings hope its total annual sales in the world's most populous country will reach one million by the middle of the decade, up from the 700,000 vehicles sold last year.

When it comes to long-wheelbase Audi models in China, the A3 and A4 have also been stretched along with a couple of crossovers – the Q2L and Q5L. The former is available locally with purely electric propulsion as the China-only Q2L E-Tron.

More powerful and faster than any RS6 and RS7 to date: new Audi RS6 Avant performance and the RS7 Sportback performance are bursting with extras that sharpen the models' appearance and make for a more emotive driving experience. The potent 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine now has an engine power of 463 kW (630 PS) and a maximum torque of 850 Nm. From December 8, the RS6 Avant performance and the RS7 Sportback performance are available for 135,000 euros each.

At Audi, 'performance' means more power. For example, larger turbochargers and an increase in boost pressure from 2.4 to 2.6 bar in the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo TFSI engine that both the Audi RS6 Avant performance and Audi RS7 Sportback performance boast, allow an increase of 30 PS in engine power and 50 Nm more torque compared to the base versions. This means a total increase in power from 441 kW (600 PS) to 463 kW (630 PS) and in maximum torque from 800 to 850 Nm. The performance models sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the RS6 / RS7 base versions.

Yet less is sometimes more: reduced insulation between the engine compartment, the interior, and the rear of the vehicle ensures the Audi RS6 Avant performance and the RS7 Sportback performance will thrill customers with an exciting, next-level sound experience - the reduction also makes the car eight kilograms lighter. The RS6 Avant performance has a total unladen weight of 2,090 kg whilst the RS7 Sportback performance weighs 2,065 kg.

For heightened driving dynamics: new self-locking center differential

Power from the 4.0 TFSI engine flows through a standard eight-speed tiptronic with faster shifting times to the permanent all-wheel drive quattro. The strictly mechanical center differential distributes engine power to the rear axle at ratio of 40:60 and if slippage occurs, more drive torque is automatically applied to the axle with better traction - up to 70 percent can flow to the front axle and up to 85 percent to the rear axle. The self-locking center differential is lighter and more compact, improving driving dynamics plus offering noticeably more precise cornering which makes for less understeering at the handling limits. As an added improvement, the self-steering response is more exact with passengers benefitting from a more agile driving experience overall.

Exclusive and high-performance: 22-inch wheels with high-performance tires

The new RS6 Avant performance and RS7 Sportback performance roll off the line on standard 21-inch aluminum cast wheels in a ten-spoke star design and 273/35 tires. For an even sportier appearance, 22-inch lightweight wheels are also available, alongside the standard 22-inch aluminum cast wheels - in burnished glossy metallic black, matte gray, matte black, or matte neodymium gold. Inspired by motorsport, the airy 5-Y spoke design aids brake cooling and the lighter rims are manufactured in a high-tech forging-milling process. The new lightweight wheel is around five kilograms lighter than the 22-inch aluminum wheel on the current RS6 Avant or RS7 Sportback - this 20-kilogram weight reduction in unsprung masses improves the throttle response.

New high-performance Continental "Sport Contact 7" 285/30 tires, which are part of the new lightweight wheel, play a key role in reducing weight. The tires offer consistently better grip on both dry and wet roads and reduce understeering when cornering at speed, making for overall more precise handling across the entire speed range. Additionally, the brake path is up to two meters shorter with the new wheels when braking from 100 to 0 km/h.

The Audi drive select dynamic handling system lets the driver control the vehicle's character. Six profiles are available: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, as well as two customizable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes.

But experience of the driving modes in the performance models is much more unique. For example, the coasting mode now only activates automatically in the efficiency profile, which means in speed ranges up to 160 km/h, it switches off the combustion engine and coasts with no fuel consumption or drag torque from the engine. Additionally, fine-tuning to the engine control unit software makes for tighter load changes in S mode when the "dynamic" drive select mode or driving mode S is active, further increasing the emotionality. The updated software in the transmission control unit makes for faster shifting times and a noticeably increased spread between the various driving modes.

RS Dynamic Package as standard

The RS Dynamic Package is standard equipment in the RS6 Avant performance and RS7 performance models. This includes the increase in maximum speed to 280 km/h (180 mph), dynamic all-wheel steering (the RS-specific software update helps the driver with active steering corrections on the front and rear axles), and the quattro sport differential on the rear axle.

The RS Dynamics Package plus is also available as an option, which in addition to the RS Dynamics Package, raises the top speed to 305 km/h and includes an RS ceramic brake system. Customers can order the calipers in gray, red, or blue and discs measure 440 mm (front) and 370 mm (rear). The RS ceramic brake system weights a total of approx. 34 kg less than its steel counterpart for a reduction of the unsprung masses.

Fresh exterior colors and optics packages

The new RS6 Avant performance and RS7 Sportback performance are available in a total of 16 exterior colors - for the first time, metallic and matte Ascari Blue and matte Dew Silver are included.The performance models stand out with standard RS exterior components in matte gray, including the exterior mirrors, the front spoiler, the front side flaps, the side sill inserts, the roof rails, and the trim on the side windows and rear diffuser. A matte carbon/black optics package is also an option, in which the roof rails and trim on the side windows are black. The Audi rings and model name is available in the customer's choice of chrome or black.

Out of the blue: new interior accents and features

In the interior, the familiar RS design packages in gray and red have been expanded to include the color blue. The steering wheel rim in Alcantra black features contrasting stitching in Mercato blue, whilst the floor mats, the side of the center console, and the selector lever cuff also come with blue contrasting stitching. The seat belts are full-surface ocean blue with the decorative inlays in a carbon twill structure with optional blue accents. The selector lever knob and the side of the center console are made with Dinamica microfiber, which consists of around 45% recycled PET fibers and the sports seats feature high-quality Valcona leather upholstery perforated with honeycomb stitching with contrasting stitching in Mercato blue. Another distinguishing feature is an entrance LED in the front doors that projects the lettering "RS performance" onto the ground next to the car.

Customers can order RS design packages in the three available color variants with optional additional features: decorative inlays, door armrests and center armrest in Dinamica microfiber. An added benefit of this equipment variant is the seat center panel with a gray, red, or blue inlay, whilst the customer's chosen color shows through the perforated sports seats and the seat backs feature RS embossing in matching colors.

Customers can use the new "Audi Exclusive Customizer" visualization tool to design their vehicles in thousands of individual combinations and thus create their own personal special edition. They can choose from a wide range of individual paint finishes as well as leather and stitching colors; the tool uses a 3D model to visualize the customization process.

The displays of the standard 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus offer new features including a blinking shift indicator in manual transmission mode which changes the rpm display from green to yellow to red, blinking in a manner identical to that used in motorsport, to indicate the optimal time to change gears. Plus, Launch Control, which fully exploits the acceleration potential of the RS6 Avant performance and the RS7 Sportback performance by signaling the ideal moment to accelerate off the line, with new traffic light icons.

Performance by tradition: from the RS6 Avant plus to today

The RS6 Avant performance and RS7 Sportback performance in the C8 generation continue Audi's long-standing sport strategy of plus and performance models. It all began with the RS6 Avant plus in the C5 generation, shortly before the series was discontinued in 2004, quattro GmbH (now Audi Sport GmbH) launched a special limited series of 999 units with a subtle upgrade in power. The engine power climbed by 30 PS to 480 PS and the model bore the distinction of being the first Audi to officially go faster than 250 km/h. Audi Sport throttled the RS6 plus to 280 km/h, making it the fastest sport wagon. Without the engine control unit, it reached a top speed of more than 300 km/h.

The plus variant in the C6 generation hit the market in 2008 and was limited to 500 units. Unlike its predecessor, it did not feature any additional power; the V10 kept its 580 PS. But Audi limited the top speed of the special Avant and Sedan to 303 km/h; the only faster vehicle at the time was the R8.

In the C7 generation, "plus" became "performance" - the Audi RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback performance rolled off the line in 2016, with a slightly tweaked engine, the power rose to 605 PS, 45 PS more than in the base model. The overboost function increased briefly to 750 Nm in "dynamic" driving mode and depending on equipment, the speed was limited at 250, 280 or 305 km/h.