The New 2024 Audi RS6 and RS7 Performance Prove More is Almost Always Better

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

The Audi RS6 Avant and RS7 enjoy legendary status in the United States. The cars are two of the brand’s hottest performers here, falling second only to the R8 supercar. However, there’s always room for improvement, and that’s exactly what the automaker is doing for 2024. Audi is working on a new Performance trim for both cars that pushes even more power from their twin-turbo V8 engines and brings other go-fast upgrades to the chassis.


The Performance trim gets an increase in turbo boost pressure that bumps the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8’s output by around 30 horsepower and 37 pound-feet of torque over the standard models. That brings total output to 621 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, which Audi says is good for a 3.4-second 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time. The RS6 and RS7 come standard with an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and Audi Quattro all-wheel drive.


Audi offers lightweight 22-inch wheels that cut 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in unsprung weight, while the wheel shape aids in aerodynamics and brake cooling. Unique Continental Sport Contact 7 tires also help cut weight, and Audi says they’re better in both wet and dry conditions. Their design also aims to reduce the cars’ braking distance and prevent understeer at speed.


Six driving modes let the driver dial in throttle, steering, suspension, engine, and other drivetrain settings. Efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, and two customizable RS-specific drive modes come standard. Other improvements over the standard cars include a standard RS Dynamic Package, exclusive colors and appearance packages, and new blue interior accent packages.

[Image: Audi]

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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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 4 comments
  • FreedMike FreedMike on Nov 30, 2022

    I want the RS6 BAD but I’m a touch short on dough. Anyone know what a kidney goes for on the black market these days?

    • Theflyersfan Theflyersfan on Dec 01, 2022

      I'm not sure, but if you Google it, you might end up on some watch list or something so proceed at your own risk!!!


  • MaintenanceCosts MaintenanceCosts on Nov 30, 2022

    This used to be my favorite class of car but at some point they just became too much. The V6 S6 is more than fast enough and will have a more comfortable ride, and I can't see what the extra $45k or so for the RS6 gets me except a V8 engine note.

    • FreedMike FreedMike on Nov 30, 2022

      I'm a fan of the S6 too, but the RS6 Avant is just insane.

  • Theflyersfan With sedans, especially, I wonder how many of those sales are to rental fleets. With the exception of the Civic and Accord, there are still rows of sedans mixed in with the RAV4s at every airport rental lot. I doubt the breakdown in sales is publicly published, so who knows... GM isn't out of the sedan business - Cadillac exists and I can't believe I'm typing this but they are actually decent - and I think they are making a huge mistake, especially if there's an extended oil price hike (cough...Iran...cough) and people want smaller and hybrids. But if one is only tied to the quarterly shareholder reports and not trends and the big picture, bad decisions like this get made.
  • Wjtinfwb Not proud of what Stellantis is rolling out?
  • Wjtinfwb Absolutely. But not incredibly high-tech, AWD, mega performance sedans with amazing styling and outrageous price tags. GM needs a new Impala and LeSabre. 6 passenger, comfortable, conservative, dead nuts reliable and inexpensive enough for a family guy making 70k a year or less to be able to afford. Ford should bring back the Fusion, modernized, maybe a bit bigger and give us that Hybrid option again. An updated Taurus, harkening back to the Gen 1 and updated version that easily hold 6, offer a huge trunk, elevated handling and ride and modest power that offers great fuel economy. Like the GM have a version that a working mom can afford. The last decade car makers have focused on building cars that American's want, but eliminated what they need. When a Ford Escape of Chevy Blazer can be optioned up to 50k, you've lost the plot.
  • Willie If both nations were actually free market economies I would be totally opposed. The US is closer to being one, but China does a lot to prop up the sectors they want to dominate allowing them to sell WAY below cost, functionally dumping their goods in our market to destroy competition. I have seen this in my area recently with shrimp farmed by Chinese comglomerates being sold super cheap to push local producers (who have to live at US prices and obey US laws) out of business.China also has VERY lax safety and environmental laws which reduce costs greatly. It isn't an equal playing field, they don't play fair.
  • Willie ~300,000 Camrys and ~200,000 Accords say there is still a market. My wife has a Camry and we have no desire for a payment on something that has worse fuel economy.
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