Rings of power! Audi RS6 and RS7 get more under the bonnet in Performance spec

Audi has boosted its 2023 RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback with ‘Performance’ versions, with the twin-turbo V8 belters getting more power and torque over their standard counterparts.

Both powered by Audi’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8, the Audi RS6 Avant Performance and RS7 Sportback Performance boast increases of 22kW and 50Nm, for new total outputs of 463kW and 850Nm.

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The RS6 and RS7 retain their eight-speed tiptronic torque converter automatic transmissions, but with upgrades to shift gears faster and get power more efficiently to all four wheels, as Audi’s all-wheel drive quattro system requires.

Audi says both cars now take just 3.4 seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill, 0.2 seconds faster than their predecessors.

With the additions to the Performance versions of each also come some reductions -  the sound deadening between the engine compartment, the interior, and the rear of the RS6 and RS7 Performance has been removed, not only making the engine and exhaust sounds louder within the cabin, but also saving eight kilograms in the process.

Also lighter is the now smaller mechanical self-locking centre differential, “improving driving dynamics plus offering noticeably more precise cornering” in an effort to reduce understeer, according to Audi.

Finally, on the weight reduction front is the new optional 22-inch wheel design, which Audi says is about 5kg lighter on each wheel, saving 20kg in unsprung weight and improving throttle response.

The RS6 Avant Performance now has a total unladen weight of 2090kg with the RS7 Sportback Performance weighing in at 2065kg. Both are just 10kg lighter than their ‘standard’ versions, meaning plenty of extra weight has been added elsewhere.

Added as standard for the Performance variants is Audi’s RS Dynamic Package, which increases top speed from 250km/h to 280km/h, as well as upgrading to the aforementioned quattro sport differential, and giving each model all-wheel steering.

In terms of styling, both look about the same as their standard variants, but exterior RS-specific design components are finished in matte grey, though a carbon black option can make the roof rails and trim on the side windows black.

Inside, the RS design pack now includes blue accents (like stitching), although buyers can customise their personal preferences in terms of interior elements.

The 12.3-inch Audi 'virtual cockpit' digital instrument screen now includes a shift indicator, changing the tacho colour based on suggested gear changes.

The RS6 and RS7 Performance are available to order in Germany from December 8, similar to the rest of Europe, with pricing starting from 135,000 euros each, or about AUD$208,700.

Currently, there are no official Australian details announced for the Performance variants, though an Audi Australia spokesperson tells CarsGuide "both are in the evaluation stage" with the local arm's product team, and the brand is "eager to see these cars in 2023".

The standard RS6 and RS7 variants are currently priced from $216,000 before on-road costs and $224,000 respectively, also before on-road costs.