The new Audi RS7 Sportback marks the model's second generation and is more unique than ever before. Launched at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Audi Sport GmbH presents the RS7 Sportback as a wide-bodied five-seater for the first time, while also showcasing the improved performance and efficiency delivered by a mild hybrid system.

Design wise, the new Audi RS7 Sportback sits low to the ground. Flared wheel arches emphasise the sporty nature of the high-performance model, while the new car also receives an increase in width, at 1,950mm at the front fenders, the car is an additional 40mm wider than the Audi A7 Sportback.

The front of the car sports the familliar grille with its RS-specific three-dimensional honeycomb structure finished in gloss black, while large front air inlets and vertical fins add to the aggressive styling.

Meanwhile, the rear of the car sports an LED strip connecting the rear lights. At speeds of up to 100km/h, a spoiler will also extend from the tailgate. The RS exhaust system, with a large, chrome-coloured oval tailpipe on each side, sits beneath an RS-specific bumper and rear diffuser.

The new RS7 Sportback comes with LED head lights as standard, while the car is also offered with optional RS matrix LED laser head lights. The LED rear lights are equipped with dynamic turn signal lights and run through RS-specific sequences when the vehicle is locked and unlocked.

The 4.0-litre TFSI in the Audi RS7 Sportback produces 591bhp and delivers 800Nm of torque from 2,050 to 4,500rpm, delivering the high-performance Sportback from zero to 100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds.

Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, although this can be increased to 280km/h with the Dynamic package and to 305km/h with the Dynamic plus package.

Thanks to its 48V mild hybrid system, the 4.0-litre TFSI combines maximum performance with high efficiency. The belt alternator starter can recover up to 12kW of power under gentle acceleration and feed it into a lithium-ion battery as electricity. The technology also allows for start-stop mode at speeds below 22km/h, aiding to reduce fuel consumption.

Power is put on the road via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission mated to a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.

Drive forces are distributed to the front and rear axles in a 40:60 ratio via a purely mechanical centre differential, which can allow up to 70% of drive to go through the front wheels or up to 85% to the back wheels once slippage is detected.

On the inside, the Audi Multimedia Interface touch response display is embedded into the black-panelled architecture, while the driver can also use the upper RS monitor display to call up an overview of drive system component temperatures, maximum G-forces and information regarding tire pressures and temperatures.

Special RS displays use the Audi Virtual Cockpit to provide details such as tyre pressure, torque, performance, oil temperature, boost pressure, lap times, acceleration and g-forces, and a shift light display will prompt the driver to upshift when the rev limit is reached.

The flat-bottomed, fully perforated RS sport leather steering wheel features new large RS aluminium shift paddles and multifunction buttons, while RS and RS7 logos adorn the steering wheel, seats, and illuminated front door sill trims. Logo projectors on the front and rear doors beam the Audi Sport emblem onto the ground once the doors are open.

RS sport seats upholstered with black pearl Nappa leather with a rhombus pattern and RS embossing are fitted as standard. An even sportier option is available in the form of RS sport seats covered with Valcona leather, featuring a honeycomb pattern and RS embossing.