Is It Illegal to Modify an A7 into an RS7?
2 Answers
Modifying an A7 into an RS7 is illegal. Extensive modifications to the exterior, interior, powertrain, braking system, and other areas of the A7 without filing with the vehicle management office constitute illegal activities. The A7 is a mid-to-large-sized sedan under the Audi brand, equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine producing a maximum horsepower of 190 and a peak torque of 320 Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The A7 measures 4976mm in length, 1908mm in width, and 1405mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2928mm. It features a 5-door, 4-seat hatchback body style. The vehicle utilizes multi-link independent suspension for both front and rear, and comes with features such as tire pressure monitoring, seatbelt reminder for all seats, brake assist, engine immobilizer, and central locking.
I've been into car modifications for several years, and turning an A7 into an RS7 lookalike sounds cool, but it's easy to run into legal issues. In China, if you modify the vehicle's appearance beyond a certain limit—like changing the bumper or adding an RS7 badge—you're required to register the changes with the vehicle management office. Otherwise, if caught by traffic police, you could face fines starting at 200 RMB, and your car won't pass the annual inspection. Even worse, if you modify the engine or chassis for performance upgrades without proper certification testing, the safety risks are huge—what if you lose control or the brakes fail on the highway? Insurance might also refuse to cover accident damages. Once, my friend was fined just for adding a badge and had to spend a fortune restoring the car, wasting time and money. If you love performance cars, it's better to save up for a real RS7 or stick to minor interior mods at a reputable shop. Don’t risk trouble for vanity—safe driving comes first.
