Audi reveals facelifted RS7 Sportback

The Audi RS7 has received a series of subtle styling modifications 18 months after it was first revealed at the 2013 Detroit motor show.

Among the mild visual changes brought to the plush performance liftback is a lightly reworked front end. It features a restyled single frame grille set within a slightly more structured bumper, bringing its appearance into line with less powerful versions of the A7 revealed earlier this month.

The RS7 also gets reworked LED headlamps as standard. Audi is making its matrix LED headlamps an option on the new car. They come with darkened graphics to provide the car with greater visual differentiation.

Further stylistic tweaks include updated tail lamps with new LED graphics and restyled 20-inch wheels.

Inside, Audi has revised the car's instruments, modified shift paddles and altered controls for the air vents. The optional MMI (Multi Media Interface) Plus infotainment system also receives an updated Nvidia graphics processor for faster operation.

The facelifted RS7 runs the same turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 direct-injection petrol engine as before. It continues in the same state of tune, with 552bhp and 516lb ft of torque between 1750 and 5500rpm.

The heady reserves are channelled through a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox to all four wheels via Audi’s Torsen torque sensing four-wheel drive system.  

Audi claims the same 0-62mph time of 3.9sec as before. Top speed is nominally limited to 155mph but can be raised to either 174mph or 190mph in combination with an optional 'Dynamic' package.

With a cylinder shut-down mechanism that closes four of the engine’s eight cylinders on light throttle loads, the RS7’s combined cycle fuel consumption and average CO2 emissions are put at 29.7mpg and 221g/km respectively.

The first UK deliveries of the revised Audi RS7 are planned to get underway during the final quarter of 2014. UK pricing has yet to be confirmed but Audi suggests the facelifted model will remain close to the existing model, which is priced at £83,515.

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