First Audi ABT RS7-R in North America

by Jason R. Sakurai

Published: December 16th, 2020

The first new ABT RS7-R Limited Edition version of the 2021 Audi RS 7 has been completed by GMP Performance in Mooresville, North Carolina, at their facility in Lake Norman.

This performance Sportback joins an exclusive club of just 125 units worldwide from ABT. The RS7-R has an abundance of carbon fiber body parts to enhance the already expressive Sportback design. The ABT front lip with side blades, front lip extension with red RS7-R logo, and an ABT grille create a striking appearance. Fender inserts with a carbon fiber fin, 1 of 125 ABT logo badges, and rocker panel additions blend in with the car’s sleek lines.

Carbon-fiber parts on the rear of the car include a trunk spoiler, diffuser, and glossy black rear bumper inserts with a carbon-fiber fin. Part of the kit is a resounding ABT muffler system consisting of a middle muffler replacement pipe, and a rear muffler with double carbon fiber exhaust bezels.

The limited quantity of the RS7-R is noted throughout the car, with several badges and logos in the interior, such as door sills that mention this is 1 of 125 units, a badge on the dashboard, and a carbon-fiber shift knob cover. The very first ABT RS7-R in North America takes on the road with ABT GR 22-inch wheels in glossy black.

The RS 7’s engine is a turbocharged 32-valve DOHC 4.0-liter V8 that produces 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission connects the Quattro rear differential through Quattro all-wheel drive. A stock RS 7 can go from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, and its top speed is 174 MPH, or an unrestricted 190 MPH when equipped with ceramic brakes.

ABT is a leading tuner of Audis and VWs. Since 1986, the company has competed in the German Touring Car Masters and other series, while providing European quality aftermarket products for street cars. Sold in more than 50 countries, in North America ABT is based in Miami, Florida, to cater to the needs of car enthusiasts in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

With the base price of the RS 7 starting at $114,000, ABT also offers their optional Power Upgrade for the RS 7, which boosts the performance to 690 HP and 649 lb-ft. Who else wants one?

[Images: GMP Performance, ABT North America]

#ABT #Audi #European #German #RS7 #RS7-R

Jason R. Sakurai

With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.

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3 of 6 comments

Flipper35 on Dec 17, 2020

Whats the deal with the two tone in pic 2?

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- Rnaboz on Dec 17, 2020
  
  I think that it is just dark gray, the light above is making the hood lighter gray. there does appear to be darker gray stripes, like spider web.
  
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Inside Looking Out on Dec 17, 2020

Is it a new Camry?

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