Just days after unveiling the 2020 S6 for America following April's reveal of the diesel-powered S6 and S7 for Europe, Audi has taken the wraps off of the US market's brand-new S7. And in what's absolutely no surprise to anyone, the American S7 comes packing a gasoline-powered engine like the S6 rather than the European version's 3.0-liter diesel V6 that makes 349 horsepower and gut-punching 516 lb-ft of torque.
Like its S6 counterpart, the American S7 gets a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine, which combines with an electric compressor run off of the 48-volt system to make 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft torque available without a hint of turbo lag. Despite carrying 0.1 fewer liters of displacement over the A7, the S7 makes 109 more horsepower and 74 lb-ft of extra torque over the entry-level four-door coupe.
Combined with the S7's eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi's signature quattro all-wheel drive system, the A7 can make the sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, 0.6 seconds quicker than Europe's diesel-powered S7 and just 0.1 seconds slower than America's gasoline-powered S6.
Credit the S-tuned adaptive air suspension, upgraded brakes, and quattro system for helping the S7 achieve better control in the corners, though it's possible to improve on the standard list of upgrades with an optional sport suspension system. In addition to that is the S Sport Package, which adds a rear-axle steering system, a quattro sport differential, a performance exhaust, and red brake calipers to further improve the car's handling.
As always, an Audi S model is just as much about the visual upgrades as it is the performance enhancements. That's why the 2020 S7 gets S-model bumpers, side sills, and quad exhaust outlets to compliment the standard 20-inch wheels wrapped in performance tires, horizontal-slat sports grille, aluminum-optic front splitter and side mirror housings, and a rear diffuser that's inlaid with black chrome matte.
Stepping inside, drivers will find standard Valcona leather S sport seats with diamond stitching, a driver-centric cockpit, and available dual-pane acoustic glass to go with Audi's standard virtual cockpit, four-zone automatic climate control, top-view camera system with Virtual 360 view, Bang & Olufsen® 3D Premium Sound System, and dual touchscreen (10.1-inch upper, 8.6-inch lower) MMI system to replace the old unit's rotator knob.
Unfortunately, the S7 will not come cheap. The Premium model will start at $84,895 while the higher-tier Prestige trim goes for $90,495, both prices including destination. Thankfully, Audi throws in a full suite of standard and available driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise assist with traffic jam and turn assist, side assist with rear cross-traffic assist, and a vehicle exit warning. Keep watch over Audi dealerships if you want to pounce on a 2020 S7 purchase since it should be here within the next few months.