X

2020 Audi RS7 Sportback is an impressively burly German

Audi's slipstream grand tourer gets 591 horsepower, higher engagement and a heaping helping of attitude.

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-1
1 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

No longer the shrinking violet among Germany's high-power grand tourers, the 2020 Audi RS7 Sportback makes an impression with its snarlier widebody look.

2020-audi-rs7-retouched-48
2 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

The RS7 comes one way: with a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 paired to an eight-speed automatic and rear-biased Quattro all-wheel drive.

2020-audi-rs7-retouched-11
3 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

Augmented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup, the RS7 delivers 592 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.

2020 Audi RS7 Sportback
4 of 74 Audi

The RS7's cabin is as beautifully appointed as any recent Audi.

Unfortunately, that Alcantara-wrapped flat-bottom wheel won't make it to the US.

2020 Audi RS7 Sportback
5 of 74 Audi

Quilted leather sport seats not only feature heating, but ventilation for the first time.

2020 Audi RS7 Sportback
6 of 74 Audi

Interestingly, this will be the first RS7 available with five seats -- previous ones had four-seat setups. 

In Europe, both four- and five-seat configurations will be available, but all US-bound RS7s will have five perches.

2020 Audi RS7 Sportback
7 of 74 Audi

Depending on which package you get, the RS7's top speed will range from 155 mph on up to 190 mph.

2020 Audi RS7 Sportback
8 of 74 Audi

The RS7 delivers 18.9 cubic feet of cargo space, or nearly 50 cubes with the rear seats folded.

2020-audi-rs7-retouched-12
9 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

Twenty-one-inch wheels are standard, with 22-inchers like this available as an option. 

Amazingly, the ride quality isn't terrible.

2020-audi-rs7-retouched-13
10 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

Variable height air suspension is standard. A firmer optional RS Sport setup with Dynamic Ride Control is available, but you won't miss it if you don't order it.

2020 Audi RS7 Sportback
11 of 74 Audi

This aggressive schnoz won't be for everyone, but that's all right -- and given that the RS7 will likely cost around $50,000 more than a regular A7, some greater visual differentiation was certainly in order.

2020-audi-rs7-retouched-22
12 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

The RS7 Sportback is only 1.6 inches wider than regular A7 and S7 models, but it looks much broader and burlier.

2020-audi-rs7-retouched-23
13 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

Cornering LED headlamps are standard. Euro buyers will get to select RS-specific HD matrix units with laser lights and dark bezels. Sadly, Washington regulators are keeping this tech out of US showrooms for the moment.

2020-audi-rs7-retouched-26
14 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

Keep clicking or scrolling for more images of the 2020 Audi RS7 Sportback.

2020-audi-rs7-retouched-25
15 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-16
16 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-19
17 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-15
18 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-20
19 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-18
20 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-2
21 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-29
22 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-30
23 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-32
24 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-34
26 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-36
27 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-6
28 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-37
29 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-38
30 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-4
31 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-40
32 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-43
33 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-45
34 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-5
35 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-50
36 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-53
37 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow
2020-audi-rs7-retouched-8
38 of 74 Chris Paukert/Roadshow

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos