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The Audi RS7... As if the 2.0 TFSI wasn't enough for my soul, Audi decided to shoehorn a 4.0 (YES - FOUR LITRES) Engine into a saloon.
Okay so I've tested the McLaren, and driven some other fantastic cars that I haven't taken pics of (Lamborghini Aventador for example) but this car.. this actual car that I have been driving.. is a SERIOUS ANIMAL! 
In the attached image you will see the classic revitup logo, highlighting this car as being owned by one of the UK's craziest car collectors Mark Longstaff. Mark has been running revitup for several years, buying and selling only the best Sports Hatchback/Sports Coupé Cars on the market, and some highly anticipated Super Cars including a Noble M12 GTO and the highly rated Mercedes CLA45 AMG, Nissan GTR 850hp + etc.
Lets not get carried away from our topic of discussion. We are here to talk about the Audi RS7 and I am sure you readers want a little more insight into the workings of this machine! 
^ Satan is among us ^
I don't know what the *** is going on, because under the bonnet is a seamless array of pipes, heat deflectors, more pipes, and enough sensors to drive any thoughts of analogue into the distant past. This motor is controlled by a Bosch ECU (Engine Control Unit) which has been the 'current' line of ECU for at least two decades.. Bosch = Logic. Most new cars on the market are being sold with inferior brand ECU's, but that is a lengthy topic that would no doubt expose the Car Manufacturers lack of care for the cheaper and mass produced models of late. Thankfully Audi put the correct Engine Control Unit in this car, and it does not feel like a computer. 
I know I should be talking about the car.. but this thing STINKS of Carbon Fibre. It is now in my nasal passages and it is causing convulsions by way of short-sharp breaths as I look around me. This is beautiful.
I love the S-Tronic (DSG) Gearbox in this car. Having lots of power is such a rush on the senses that both hands SHOULD be fixed on the steering wheel. This is something I have highlighted in previous reviews - I also have Tiptronic with Paddles on the steering wheel, and it makes for much safer driving in 300hp+ cars. The Audi RS7 leaves the factory with a monstrous 560hp and 700NM. For most I'd think that is enough power to get your groceries in, but when you've driven more powerful vehicles such as a tuned Porsche 997 Turbo you always get the urge for more grunt. I collected this car and went straight out for some stock power data logging. Before taking on a vehicle of this magnitude, or any decent vehicle for that matter, it is wise to monitor the engine BEFORE tuning to ensure it is making the correct power under load. Ross Tech VCDS is a popular choice and works well across all VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group) platforms and several other manufacturer vehicles with good logging speeds! Essential when aiming for big power. 
Everything is running fine in this car, as expected. So I can take a read of the software from its ECU. For this job I use Flashtec CMD but everybody knows my favourite tool is MPPS by AMT Cartech. Sometimes we must use different tools for certain brands/manufacturer year - so it makes sense having a selection of diagnostic tools to hand.
I personally couldn't keep this car running standard power, although it doesn't pull too badly for a stock vehicle. Getting in a car should be an experience, no matter what engine it is. I have a VW Polo GTi for town driving/runaround and it needed some changes to the original software to make it better on fuel, and slightly better to drive as a small engine Petrol Turbo car.
The Audi RS7 uses the same engine as the Audi S8 - a vehicle that I studied and tuned approximately two years ago. It is the 'evolution' of the original 2.0 TFSI, utilising the same 'Stratisfied' Technology but in a larger V8 engine. Ferrari, Lamborghini, and now Porsche make use of this technology but give it different names to maintain their marketing edge. After creating the first modified software to test I re-connected the CMD Tool and got the first file programmed. Like most cars I like to tune on the road, then take to Rolling Road for comparison afterwards. Working on this car required approximately 5-6 changes (adjustment) to software before I was happy. After which we took the car to Mike Evans Motorsport in Shrewsbury for final setup and Rolling Road Power Run! 
We managed to read a monumental 682.6hp and 930NM+ torque from software tuning this vehicle. The reason it stopped short at 5865RPM is due to the fact his Rolling Road is rated for 650hp maximum. They do run off a little higher than quoted, so the maximum 'recorded' output was very strong at 120hp+ over the original power output! Very good!
Before I talk you all to death... lets crack on with the review! The Chassis Incredibly well balanced. This car is just like the Audi S8, because I remember saying ''this feels like a Golf'' and laughing as I tackled some twisties in the Scottish Highlands. This car is seriously solid - but not too stiff that it feels like a Saxo with eBay coilover kit. Mark the company owner says this vehicle is perfect for daily cruising and commuting, but also turns into a fully ballistic Sports Sedan when the need arises. The Chassis in this car gets 10 out of 10 from me! The Body At first glance it doesn't look overly menacing. But for a Sports Sedan you wouldn't want it to scare the bejeesus out of your children. I quite fancy the lines of the car but prefer smaller cars myself. Driving it wasn't a chore, as it doesn't feel big once you get inside and change lanes etc. Not my choice of vehicle 'shape' but still a great look nevertheless. The Throttle Oh Jesus Christ. Seriously man this shit is fucked. Like I went to the Rolling Road, did my thing, drove back all calm but as I got nearer Chester I had to press it and WTF &*%$@# I don't even know what happened! This car produces out of bodily experiences, but that is what I need to feel on the road. I WANT POWER! After putting £30 in the tank, driving from Chester to Shrewsbury, running the car on the Dyno, and driving back I had only used ONE BAR on the Fuel Gauge. That is around 1/8th of a tank and I was gone for nearly two hours. The technology versus economy makes me sick. This engine is filth. TFSI is God. Literally God - breathing on us with mechanical wisdom and sound knowledge from the Bible (Bosch Funktionsrahmen). The Exhaust Dirt. Even more filthy than my little engine-sex-crazed mind can comprehend. Driving this car in M Mode and using the Paddles to shift gear is best. Not only that you get a much more 'focused' drive when you take control of the gearbox. The sound as you climb the RPM's is something I will take to the grave. Like the first time I drove an Aston Martin DB9 and it roared at my chest, leaving me deflated. The noise from this car is orgasmic. I will have to get an engine 'start and blip' video made soon ;-) This really is an amazing bit of kit. I wouldn't say no if I was given one, although I know my arrogant side would eventually kick in and it would be traded against a newer Porsche 911. That said - this car has the power to annihilate a standard Porsche 911 Turbo so hmmm.... 'scratches chin' Nicholas Lawrence //ON CARS email -> nick@on-cars.com |
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