As a Forza Video game player, you probably hit the track in the RS 7 as soon as you knew it was available a few years ago in the video game. You sat rather low in the virtual cockpit, which was strange (and incorrect unless you’re under 5’ 6”), but you came to appreciate thrashing this beast of a car in the virtual world. As a result, you may have wondered, “What’s this thing like to drive in the real world?” Lucky for you, 2015 RS 7s are coming off lease. They’re still not uber cheap, but they’re in reach. The RS 7 is also a supercar with real back seats. With so many other options, though, is it worth a look?
In 2015, the RS7 was the most powerful car Audi offered. Yes, we are aware of the R8. BUT, in HP (560) and torque (516), the RS 7 handily beat the last gen R8. Surprisingly, though, the RS 7 is not an all-out hooligan.
The RS 7 is really comfortable for regular driving. It almost feels like an A7 around town. While a Maserati GT will spin the rears on wet pavement at a STOP sign, the RS 7 is well mannered, even in Dynamic mode. It glides off and handles business.
If you’re looking at a RS 7 though, you’re a family man with secret track intentions. Am I right? Well, there’s plenty of room for the family, the car seats, and real suitcases in back. Mrs. Lovely Other Half will appreciate the supportive and very comfortable front seats. The car looks good at the country club. Your teenager will have good legroom, and….
You can go 100 mph in the blink of an eye!
For all intents and purposes, the car is a family car. It’s an honest to goodness A7 that some evil geniuses cooked up to scare the hell out of your unsuspecting passengers – or unruly kids. And it works, unless your kids are my kids. They just say “go faster!!”
The car handles! It’s exceptionally responsive. It shoots down the road like a freakin’ bullet. And, it’s a little scary. Hey. It’s a big car!
I’ll put it this way. The RS 7 feels like it’s connected to your thoughts. The ones you want to do, but haven’t completely thought out.
I guess that makes it ahead of your thoughts. Anyway…
You think about accelerating. You tap the gas. You are at 100 before you can process that you have passed 60! You look at the speedo and have a holy #$@! moment. You now have no idea where you are, because in the time you glanced at the speedo, you passed three freeway exits. The kids are yelling, “FASTER! FASTER!” You’re in control, everything seems to be fine and it feels like 65, but the trees and yellow lines are beginning to blur.
Do you press the gas or the brake? What does the car think you’re gonna do? It’ll respond before you’ve processed the response.
It’s all very otherworldly.
What was that thing the CIA did in the 70s where people claimed to leave their bodies and view stuff from the outside? Remote viewing? That’s what driving the RS 7 is like.
Sure, there is a lot of fast competition out there. Stuff kids into the cramped back seats of GT-Rs, Maserati GTs, and Aston Martin Rapides to get the same thrill. Or try the M6 Gran Coupe, Panamera GTS, CLS 63, and to some degree, the Quattroporte. They are all great cars, so we won’t discourage you from trying them all.
But, in the end, we think you’ll agree. For the price, a used RS 7 may just handle both soccer practice, and the track, the best.
