Audi RS7

[Stickman]

If reports are to be believed http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2014-audi-rs7-photos-and-info-news then the RS7 is not far from release. Is it just me or are Audi really over-doing the RS badging these days? Someone in their marketing departments has touted the idea that badging something RS means that people will just jump for it...and maybe they're right. But I think that they have really last the beating heart of the RS models. The new RS's are serious pieces of kit, but somehow they have lost that edgy desirability they once held. To me, they are now filling the space that the 'S' models held in terms of "special-ness".

Maybe it's just my tastes changing...but I don't think so. The last generation RS4 and RS6 and the B5 RS4's just "felt" special. I will never forget the absolute feeling of "I really really want one" that I got when the B7 RS4 was released in 2006 (I was 21, in no way capable of affording one...but that never stopped dreams!) I still have that feeling for the B7...but haven't even had the slightest notion of the same for the B8 RS4. Anyone feeling similar?

[schattenblau]

Yep.

Like BMW M, the RS badge has been dumbed down for mass consumption.

Oh, for the days when only one RS model was for sale at a time.

[beeker]

At least it has the correct engine, that nw generaiton 4.0 TT is a weapon. Wait until the tuners get hold of it.

[rambo_005]

The RS7 has been launched: http://www.vask.org.nz/index.php/topic,31085.0.html

[weta.worker]

If reports are to be believed http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2014-audi-rs7-photos-and-info-news then the RS7 is not far from release. Is it just me or are Audi really over-doing the RS badging these days? Someone in their marketing departments has touted the idea that badging something RS means that people will just jump for it...and maybe they're right. But I think that they have really last the beating heart of the RS models. The new RS's are serious pieces of kit, but somehow they have lost that edgy desirability they once held. To me, they are now filling the space that the 'S' models held in terms of "special-ness".

Maybe it's just my tastes changing...but I don't think so. The last generation RS4 and RS6 and the B5 RS4's just "felt" special. I will never forget the absolute feeling of "I really really want one" that I got when the B7 RS4 was released in 2006 (I was 21, in no way capable of affording one...but that never stopped dreams!) I still have that feeling for the B7...but haven't even had the slightest notion of the same for the B8 RS4. Anyone feeling similar?

totally +1

I think they've diluted the RS brand

[Stickman]

At least it has the correct engine, that nw generaiton 4.0 TT is a weapon. Wait until the tuners get hold of it.

Agreed on choice of motor...massive potential compared to the V10 (for $$/Hp anyway).

[slowmo]

On the bright side, perhaps this move by Audi to have so many new RS models just makes the original RS cars even more desirable because of the exclusivity and limited availability?