2021 Audi RS Experience
If there was ever an Audi fantasy, the RS Experience would basically be it. In a once in a lifetime event, Audi has brought all fifteen of their all-powerful RS models together. Audi says this is the first time that this has ever happened in South Africa, and as the roars of each RS model echoed throughout Sandton City, we kind of wish this would happen more often. At first all this power may seem a bit overwhelming as you kind of feel like a kid in a candy store. So, what was in the line-up you may wonder, well first we had the most powerful Audi diesel engines, the SQ7 & SQ8 models. Then the high-performing, RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe, and Sportback, RS 6 Avant, RS 7 Sportback, RS Q3, and RS Q8. The S7 and R8 Coupe and Spyder also made its way to the lineup as well as the TT RS Coupe and Roadster.
Audi R8 Coupe and Spyder
The Audi R8 will keep its 5.2 FSI V10 engine produces a staggering 449kW and 560 Nm of torque. The Coupé will sprint to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds while the Spyder gets there in 3.3 seconds. As standard, the R8 will receive its exclusive sports exhaust system and 7-speed S-tronic transmission. The R8 will also be keeping its well-known Audi drive select modes and will get an additional three programs. These programs include dry, wet and snow, and will form part of the Performance mode.
In terms of exterior changes, the Singleframe radiator grille on the R8 has gotten wider and flatter than before. The new front splitter also gets wider, focusing on a sportier appearance. At the rear, the diffuser gets a more dominant appeal and will frame the new oval exhaust tailpipes. The R8 will ride on 20-inch Audi Sport wheels V-spoke Evo designed wheels and will be available in two colour options - titanium or matte bronze. Ceramic brakes, as well as red calipers, will come as a standard feature too.
Audi RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe and Sportback
At the heart of the RS 4 and 5 models will be a 2.9 TFSI twin-turbo V6 engine. It will produce a power output of 331kW and 600 Nm of torque. All models will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of up to 280 km/h. All models across the range will come standard with the RS sports suspension which provides an excellent on-road driving experience.
As for changes on the exterior, the new RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Sportback, and Coupé gets a completely redesigned front section. The Singleframe is now broader and flatter than before, while the three-dimensional honeycomb structure will come in gloss black. Accompanying this new front design will be a set of newly designed LED headlights with darkened bezels, this will come standard on the RS 4 Avant models while the RS 5 models will get Matrix LED units
Audi SQ7 & SQ8
This 4.0-litre V8 engine is set to produce 310kW of power and a tremendous 900 Nm of torque. Audi has claimed that both models can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Depending on the equipment, the SQ7 TDI will consume around 8.7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres while the SQ8 TDI, consumes a sparring 8.3 litres. The SQ7 and SQ8 will come equipped with Audi’s quick-shifting eight-speed tiptronic transmission and will come in permanent all-wheel drive. Audi has also provided both models with an adaptive air suspension which is able to extend the ride height by up to 90mm.
At the front, the SQ7 and SQ8 get featured with double slats in the Singleframe grille with a distinctive three-dimensional blade in the bumper, the side air inlets will get filled with a honeycomb grid. The side mirror housing will come in aluminium while the rear gets its four bulgy tailpipes. Audi has made a black styling package available, which sees exterior parts such as the roof rails, trim strips on side windows, mirrors, and front and rear bumpers all being finished in black paint. In addition to this, the Audi rings at the front and rear, as well as the SQ7 or SQ8 lettering in the radiator grille and on the boot lid will all come in black.
Audi RSQ8
So, what does this beastly RS Q8 pack under the hood, well it gets a 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine that will, as mention before, produce 441kW and 800 Nm of torque. This biturbo V8 engine will come paired with a mild-hybrid system (MHEV) which is based on a 48-volt main electrical system. This monstrous engine can accelerate the large SUV coupé from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds and to 200 km/h in 13.7 seconds. The RS Q8 will get a quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system and a standard eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.
Outside, the RS Q8 comes featured with an RS honeycomb grille that gets finished in gloss black. The RS sills will come standard in Manhattan grey, making the body appear even sportier. At the rear, we can expect the RS roof edge spoiler with an RS-specific rear skirt with a diffuser and high gloss black RS-typical oval tailpipes. The RS Q8 will be available in nine colours: one solid paint finish and eight metallic or pearl effect shades. The exterior mirror housings will come with an aluminium look and will include black or carbon available as options. Standard on the RQ 8 will be tinted HD Matrix LED headlights that have three-dimensional daytime running lights.
Audi RSQ3 and RSQ3 Sportback
Under the hood of both models is Audi’s multi-award-winning five-cylinder 2.5 TFSI engine that produces a power output of 294 kW and 480 Nm of torque. The RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback will come in quattro all-wheel drive and can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. All this power will flow through Audi’s ever impressive seven-speed S tronic transmission. As standard a RS sport suspension will come equipped on both models, lowering both bodies by 10 millimetres. In terms of wheels, Audi will be offering 21-inch wheels in various rim designs, which will feature an all-new six-piston RS steel brake system.
Looks wise the Audi RS Q3 and Audi RS Q3 Sportback can certainly steal the show. It comes featured with an RS bumper that features an eye-catching gloss black honeycomb grille and large side air inlets. The RS Q3 will also feature striking boomerang-shaped blades in the bumper making it unique to the rest of Audi’s high-performance SUV’s. True to its RS heritage, both models will have flat slits above the Singleframe radiator grille. At the rear, we can expect a roof edge spoiler with an RS-specific spoiler lip. For a first time ever, the RS Q3 will come standard with a dual-branch RS sports exhaust system that features large oval tailpipes on both sides. As standard both high-performance SUVs will feature Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators and RS-specific darkened trims. The rear lights will also feature LED technology.
Audi RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback
Both performance models will produce 441kW and 800 Nm of torque. Audi has claimed that both models can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds. Their top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h and can be increased to 280 km/h with the RS Dynamic package. Both 4.0 TFSI engines will be accompanied by a mild hybrid system (MHEV) that features a 48-volt main on-board electrical system. The power produced by the 4.0 TFSI will flow through its standard eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimized shift times and a new launch control function to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
In terms of exterior, the entire front of both models has been changed. Both models have adopted a new hood all together. Both performance models will appear flatter and will feature a sportier headlight structure offering HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light and darkened trims as a standard feature. Both models will get a dynamic rear-end consists of the roof edge spoiler and an RS-specific bumper with rear diffuser and design elements in gloss black. As expected, the RS exhaust system flows on both sides into oval chrome-coloured tailpipes as well as an RS sport exhaust system with black tailpipes as standard. The performance models are fitted as standard with RS-specific wheels with a 22-inch 5-V-spoke design with 285/30 tyres in silver, matt titanium look, gloss turned finish, and gloss turned anthracite black finish.
