ABT has given the Audi RS7 Sportback 750bhp. About time

ABT Sportsline has revealed its tuning upgrade for the Audi RS7 Sportback called the ‘Legacy Edition’, which exactly mirrors the boost it gave the Audi RS6 Avant just over two months ago. And once again, the German tuner has delivered where Audi has so singularly underdelivered.

Because of course the standard RS7 Sportback is almost comically underpowered, its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 wheezing out 621bhp. ABT, not the hero Audi deserves but the one it needs right now, has stepped in to give the niche performance hatchback enough poke to get out of its own way.

There’s a new set of ABT’s own turbochargers and intercoolers – Audi famously pretty poor at this kind of stuff – along with better air routing of the “optimised” air intake grilles, all topped off and tailed by a new ECU. Mercifully, the car now produces 750bhp and 723lb ft.

ABT reckons its Legacy Edition RS7 is able to complete the 0-62mph sprint in 3.1s – a full half second quicker over the infamously slothful factory RS7 Sportback’s 3.6s sprint time. Naturally, ABT LE owners will not want any association with that listless car, so the upgraded version boasts better suspension (ABT coilovers and stabilisers across both axles), and much better 22in forged rims.

There’s more. ABT has attached a lot of carbon fibre to the RS7 in a bid to liven up its drab exterior, including new carbon inserts (including one in the bonnet), new diffusers and side skirts, and a new rear wing. There’s a better exhaust too – stainless steel, 102mm in diameter and outfitted with four tailpipes.

ABT set about upgrading the cabin too – a notorious weak point of modern Audis – by adding new Dinamica fabric on the dash and seat frames, logos, an Alcantara steering wheel and door entry lighting.

The cost of this upgrade, applied to just 200 cars? A base price of €102,600, on top of which you’ll have to add budget for assembly, paint, an MOT and of course, the underperforming base RS7 Sportback.