In Audi’s product tree, you’ve got the A7 which is sort of like the A6 but only in a fancier frock. Then you have the S7 which is a slightly sportier version of the A7. And now, you have the RS 7 which turns the sports knob all the way up to 11! Okay. Maybe you don’t have the RS 7 just yet but it will go on sale in Germany and other important markets across Europe by the end of this year.

The RS 7 moniker has not been around for long. In fact, what you see here is only the second-generation model. Getting a bit boring, isn’t it?! Okay. Without further ado, let’s just get on with what is it about. In a nutshell, it is about offering a blend of spectacular performance in a practical package, sort of.

The new Audi RS 7 is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 4.0-litre V8 which is coupled to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. With 591hp/800Nm on tap, which is harnessed and fed to the rear-biased Quattro all-wheel-drive system via an 8-speed automatic transmission, it can hit 100kmph from nothing in 3.6 seconds and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 250kmph. That can be taken up to 280kmph or 305kmph with Dynamic package and Dynamic Plus package, respectively.

In all fairness, a V8 with a mild-hybrid system isn’t going to win any mileage wars. And anyway, that’s not what the RS 7 is about. But Audi has given the powertrain some aids to try and make the most of certain situations and keep the fuel economy figures respectable. For instance, if the driver takes the foot off the accelerator at a speed between 55 and 160kmph, the car will either recover energy or coast with the engine turned off. With the mild-hybrid engine doing its thing, Audi claims that fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 0.8 litres per 100km. Another trick in the kit is the cylinder-on-demand system, which can switch off half the cylinders at low and medium engine loads.

Right, then! With the numbers game out of the way, let’s focus on the supporting act. As standard, the Audi RS 7 packs stuff like LED headlamps, a retractable spoiler which erects automatically at speed of 100kmph, RS adaptive air suspension, multiple drive modes, 21-inch alloy wheels, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Being an Audi, the options list is just as extensive with features like RS sport exhaust system, RS sport suspension plus, all-wheel-steering, RS matrix LED laser headlights, 22-inch alloy wheels, ceramic brakes and a head-up display.

So, there you have it. The Audi RS 7, in its new avatar, looks fantastic and gets a package which is equally impressive. Well, at least on paper! People will get to see the car in flesh at this year’s International Motor Show in Frankfurt. Will Audi bring the RS 7? Only time will tell.