RS 7 Splits Difference Between BMW M5, AMG GT 63 S
Three-way Teutonic battle sees RS 7 Sportback balance out M5’s hardcore track soul, AMG’s no-holds-barred style within itself.
When money is no object, you can buy anything you’d ever wanted. Like that RS 7 Sportback in Nardo Gray you’ve been eyeing for a while And why not? It’s got the famed Quattro all-wheel drive, a twin-turbo V8, and plenty of comfort for everyone, no matter how hard you push the super-sedan.
Of course, there are other Teutonic beasts out there, like the BMW M5 and the AMG GT 63 S. The former is a track-day legend. The latter is a no-holds-barred warrior. Where does the RS 7 Sportback fit into this tug-of-war? Evo India editor Sirish Chandran sets out to find the answer in this three-way brawl.
“Audi RS cars have always moved,” said Chandran, “and the RS 7 is no different. It puts down the power so effortlessly. That’s thanks to Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system […] It’s not just brutally fast. There is a little bit of playfulness. But more than that, the most astonishing part of the RS 7 is its comfort, its ride quality.”
Despite the RS badge, Chandran says the RS 7 Sportback feels like an A7 or A8 on the road. It can pass over bad ruts in any given road without jostling the passengers and driver. And speaking of passengers, those in the rear seat won’t lose their lunch during those power slides.
“The Audi’s ride quality is actually very nice,” said assistant editor Aatish Mishra. “These roads, they’re not the smoothest around the roadside bumps and undulations. I don’t feel much more uncomfortable than I would have in a regular luxury sedan […] this is not jarring in terms of its ride.”
Meanwhile, leg room is excellent, though head room is compromised due to the RS 7’s raked backside. The side bolstering hugs the rear passengers very well, though, which is needed when the driver wants to unleash all 591 horses and 590 lb-ft of torque. That feature is lacking in the M5’s rear seat, causing Mishra to slide a bit more than he (or his stomach) would like. And while the AMG can match the Audi in rear-seat comfort, it can’t handle bumps as well as the Audi.
“So, what do the M5 and the GT 63 four-door tell us about the RS 7?” asks Chandran. “For one, if comfort is your thing, the RS 7, it knocks it out of the park. It is also more playful, more entertaining. I’ll even go so far and say that this does the best of both worlds: brute force, but with a velvet glove.”
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