
Audi RS7 is still available for purchase, but it comes with a high price tag. The post-purchase maintenance and servicing costs are comparable to those of high-performance sports cars. For the same amount of money, one could buy a more eye-catching sports car. Additionally, the Audi RS7 does not emphasize luxury but rather focuses on its sporty attributes, yet it maintains a relatively understated appearance. Exterior Design: The RS7 features a new sporty kit, with a mesh grille that is larger than the S7's and reinforced sporty components. The rear taillight assembly differs significantly from the S7's, with the RS7's taillights being larger and featuring a more densely arranged LED light layout. Performance: The Audi RS7 is powered by a 4.0T twin-turbocharged V8 engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It delivers a maximum horsepower of 600 HP and a peak torque of 800 Nm. As standard across the lineup, Audi's superior all-wheel-drive system outperforms its peers, enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 3.6 seconds.

Recently, many friends have been talking about the difficulty in purchasing the Audi RS7. As an experienced driver who has owned three performance cars, I specifically consulted a familiar imported car dealer, and here's the current situation: Domestic 4S stores indeed can't order brand-new cars anymore, as the manufacturer stopped imports last year. But don't worry, some 4S stores still have a few display or test-drive vehicles left in stock, all being the mid-cycle refreshed 2023 models (chassis code C8). A while ago, when accompanying a friend to pick up an S5, I even spotted a Nardo Gray unit available at a dealership in Nanjing. If you insist on a brand-new car, parallel imports could be an option, but current port dealer quotes have reached 1.8 million RMB, over 200,000 RMB more than before production ceased. For those eager to buy, I recommend checking Audi's official certified used car mini-program daily, as they occasionally list nearly-new cars with just a few thousand kilometers.

Heard RS7 owners discussing this at the racetrack the day before yesterday. The car hasn't been officially introduced to China since its overseas facelift late last year, and now used 2020 models are actually appreciating in value. I saw several well-maintained C7.5 generation models (the ones with full-width taillights) from 2018 listed around 850,000 RMB on a second-hand platform, but be cautious about whether they've had ECU tuning. Important reminder: Always check the transmission valve body records for performance cars like this – some vehicles that have endured too many hard launches may experience failure to move in Drive mode. Additionally, there's an Audi specialty shop in Shanghai clearing inventory, reportedly with two display cars equipped with factory-optional carbon ceramic brakes. DM me for contact details if interested.

Just checked the German official configurator, the current RS7 is indeed marked as Europe-only. However, Audi sales informed me that some domestic dealers still have inventory units available. For example, a dealership in Zhejiang has an Audi-exclusive Sonoma Green unit in stock, equipped with carbon fiber package and rear-wheel steering, with an out-the-door price of 1.7 million RMB. For pre-owned models, note that 2021 is a watershed year - post-2021 models feature a 48V mild hybrid system that makes start-stop much smoother. Important reminder: pay special attention to headlight sealing, as condensation after car washes is a common issue with this generation.

Last week, while helping a fan pick a used car, I learned that when buying an RS7, you need to pay attention to the chassis number. The average price for a second-hand C7.5 generation (2016-2018) is around 700,000 RMB, and those with less than 100,000 kilometers are more cost-effective. The latest C8 generation generally costs over 1.2 million RMB, and it's advisable to look for models equipped with dynamic four-wheel steering. Here's a hidden benefit: some car rental companies dispose of retired vehicles. Last month in Changsha, I saw a Glacier White RS7 at a rental company with only 8,000 kilometers on it. Although these cars don't come with the original factory warranty, they have full maintenance records at authorized 4S shops, and their prices are 15% lower than the market average. Before purchasing, be sure to use an ODIS diagnostic tool to check the number of transmission launches.


