Our mission was to fully master the Audi RS 7 C7 platform, elevating it into the supercar realm with precision engineering and selective hardware upgrades. This wasn't just about increasing power; it was about enhancing the acoustic presence and drivability whilst maintaining the comfort expected from an executive saloon.

To achieve this, we focused on integrating performance upgrades and calibrated tuning stages. We looked to offer tuning solutions that catered to various performance desires while introducing hardware enhancements along the way. By refining every aspect of the vehicle, we aimed to create an Audi RS 7 that represents the pinnacle of what the factory could have achieved, combining high performance with refined drivability, all while respecting the vehicle's age and ensuring its reliability. We leveraged connections with Akrapovič, Dyno Spectrum, NGK, ITG, NickK as well as in-house Nortech Performance to achieve these goals.

Ultimately we sought to create one of the best daily drivers this side £50,000.

Our first step was to rigorously test the vehicle on both our in-house DynoJet 424x linked dyno cell and on the road to establish a baseline of the car’s performance capabilities. With this car being used as a daily driver since 2015, we have accumulated many hours of seat time and real-world driving experience. By assessing the vehicle under controlled conditions and real-world scenarios, we identified several areas for improvement.

The factory engine calibration was overly conservative, leading to inconsistent drivability and unresponsive power delivery, despite the fairly high stock power figures. Audi's factory transmission calibration was lacking with sluggish response and lazy shifts. The air intake system was restricting the engine's ability to breathe freely, the exhaust system was too restrictive and muted the engine’s potential sound. Our initial performance assessment highlighted how ambient conditions, fuel quality, and mileage can affect individual car results, with tuning and testing notes indicating that intake and ambient temperatures significantly impact performance.

Alongside the comprehensive ECU recalibration, the TCU was finely tuned to align perfectly with the newfound engine performance. The TCU adjustments began with an increase in torque limits and clutch pressures, enabling the transmission to handle the significant increase in power and torque. This enhancement ensures that the transmission can manage the increased loads without sacrificing reliability.

Further modifications focused on shift dynamics which enabled faster shift times across all driving conditions, thereby improving the vehicle's performance as well as comfort during both spirited and relaxed driving. Additionally, the shift strategy was optimised to ensure that gear changes are impeccably timed, maximising efficiency and responsiveness. This tailored approach to the transmission settings ensures that the RS 7 delivers a dynamic yet smooth driving experience, reflecting the best of both worlds in terms of performance and comfort. Key highlights include sensibly increased torque limits, increased pressure for higher torque capacity, optimised upshift and downshift points, and faster, smoother shifts in all conditions.

After adding larger turbos and increasing air flow capacity, the next step is to enhance the fuel system to support flex fuel applications. Running a flex fuel setup with ethanol allows for higher performance due to ethanol's superior cooling and anti-knock properties, enabling more aggressive tuning. Additionally, integrating water methanol injection can further assist with cooling, providing an extra layer of performance enhancement by reducing intake air temperatures and preventing detonation. These upgrades will push the RS 7's performance capabilities even further, ensuring it remains competitive with the latest supercar offerings.

For those looking to push power levels even higher, a forged engine would be the next stage of progression.