2018 Audi RS 7: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2018 Audi RS 7 is that the 360-degree parking camera became standard. This was otherwise a light update, with a standard sport exhaust and revised wheel choices but no redesign or major mechanical changes.
About the 2018 Audi RS 7
1st-generation US RS 7 (C7.5 facelift), final US model year before the RS 7 left the US lineup for 2019-2020 and returned as a redesigned 2021 model.
Audi positions the RS 7 as a high-performance luxury four-door that blends very strong V8 power with all-weather traction and upscale comfort. Its core appeal is doing several jobs at once: it is brutally quick, richly trimmed inside, and easier to live with than a traditional two-door exotic. Against rivals, the RS 7 leans on understated styling, standard AWD, and a cabin loaded with premium comfort and tech features.
The 2018 RS 7 is a high-performance four-door with a twin-turbo V8, AWD, an eight-speed automatic, and a well-equipped luxury cabin. The base model uses an adaptive air suspension, while the harder-edged performance trim adds a higher-output V8, more focused suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, and darker exterior details. Both have an 8-inch navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose audio, heated leather sport seats, and RS honeycomb stitching.
What changed, by category
2018 Audi RS 7 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.0 Liter | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 14 mpg | 14 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 24 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Horsepower | 560 hp | 605 hp |
| Torque | 516 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 24.5 cu-ft | 24.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 37 in | 37 in |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||
| Alarm System | ||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||
| Automatic High Beams | ||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | ||
| 360 Camera | ||
| Alloy Wheels | ||
| Fog Lights | ||
| LED Headlights | ||
| Power Moonroof | ||
| Rear Spoiler | ||
| Navigation System | ||
| Premium Audio | ||
| Smartphone Interface | ||
| Heated Front Seats | ||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||
| Leather Seats | ||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||
| Remote Start | ||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2018 Audi RS 7 compared with the 2017 model?
The 2018 RS 7 made the 360-degree parking camera and sport exhaust standard and received revised wheel choices. Its basic engine, transmission, and AWD layout remained unchanged.
Did the 2018 Audi RS 7 get a new engine?
No, the 2018 RS 7 kept its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The base and performance trims also retained their eight-speed automatic transmissions and AWD systems.
How is the 2018 RS 7 performance different from the base model?
The 2018 RS 7 performance is the more focused version, with a higher-output V8, Dynamic Ride Control suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber mirror housings, and darker exterior trim. The base model uses an adaptive air suspension and delivers the regular RS 7 experience.
Was 2018 the final year of this Audi RS 7 generation in the US?
Yes, 2018 was the final US model year for the first-generation RS 7. It left the US lineup for 2019 and 2020, then returned as a redesigned 2021 model.
Is the 2018 Audi RS 7 a major upgrade over the 2017 model?
No, the 2018 RS 7 is a light update rather than a major upgrade. Its standard 360-degree camera and sport exhaust may be useful distinctions, but the core V8 powertrain and overall design are essentially the same as in 2017.
2018 Audi RS 7 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Audi RS 7.