Audi A7 RS7 Sportback interior, tech and comfort
- Audi precision build quality never fails to disappoint
- We miss the simplicity of the old MMI infotainment controls
- Virtual cockpit and drive modes work very well indeed
As you’d expect, the RS 7 interior is closely related to the A6 Saloon’s, meaning that existing Audi owners will feel immediately at home. The dash is dominated by a dual touchscreen set-up and a simple design that looks and feels very modern. For the main functions, such as navigation input or climate control, you use the lower touchscreen to drive the upper one – and although you lose the tactility of a physical controller, Audi says that the haptic feedback on the lower screen compensates for that. We’re not so sure, as you need to take your eyes off the road to operate it, which you didn’t with the old MMI infotainment controller.
Existing RS 7 owners will be familiar with the Audi Drive Select button that changes suspension/drivetrain/steering characteristics. There is a RS mode selector on the steering wheel, and a Performance setting on the Virtual Cockpit which is all-new. This displays a racing car-style rev counter, lap times and g-force readings, and lets you keep an eye on temperatures for the oil, coolant, tyres and even the differential. Just how relevant that is on the M1 remains to be seen, but track day users will love it.
Inside, it’s just like any other RS 7 in top-spec form. Except that you get fantastic sports seats that are trimmed in Valcona leather and Alcantara, with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster and a lovely flat-bottomed steering wheel. Driving position and ergonomics (touchscreen notwithstanding) are all excellent. Audi’s standard-fit voice-recognition system is brilliant, which takes away some of the touchscreen pain – you can do everything from operate the navigation system to adjusting your climate control system using it. A very good thing.
Comfort
* Superb front and rear seats
* Low levels of wind and road noise
* The sporting soundtrack is never tiring
Considering its sporting brief, comfort is surprisingly one of the RS 7’s strongest suits. The front seats are superb, with an excellent range of adjustments and fantastic support. Yes, they are firm, but they’re so well shaped that this won’t be a problem. We’ve sampled them on a reasonably long drive, and comfort over distance is as good as it gets. Wind noise and overall refinement are top-drawer – it’s quiet in the cabin, it feels isolated we felt from the outside world, and remains hushed beyond 120mph on the autobahn.
The engine note is subdued after the initial V8 bark you get on start-up. Yes, it sounds as a V8 five-door supercar with 600hp should, but only in terms of engine note, not the volume that seeps into the cabin. Very impressive.
