• 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 now produces 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque
• Top speed of 190 mph
• 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds
• New colors, including Ascari Blue and matte Dew Silver
• New interior color options

Audi has just taken the wraps off the Audi RS6 Avant performance and the Audi RS7 Sportback performance. The existing versions were already fantastic vehicles, with each featuring a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. But clearly, there was room for improvement.

With the addition of the performance derivatives - lowercase as per Audi - the legendary RS6 and RS7 now produce an extra 30 hp and 37 lb-ft of torque and weigh at least 17 pounds less, which translates to a 0.2-second reduction in acceleration to 62 mph. The transmission shifts quicker too, and the center locking differential has lost some weight and become more compact. All of these changes mean a more agile, more powerful, and more responsive machine, but the privilege does not come cheap.

Thanks to an increase in boost pressure from 34.8 psi to 37.7 psi, the RS6 and RS7 performance now produce 621 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. With faster shifts from the eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, each car can do 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds. The RS Dynamics Package is standard, adding all-wheel steering and the quattro sport rear differential, but it also increases the top speed to 180 mph, up from 155. If you want the full beans, you have to opt for the almost identically named 'RS Dynamics Package plus,' which adds RS ceramic brakes with 440-millimeter discs in front and 370-mm discs at the rear. These come with calipers in a choice of gray, red, or blue and weigh around 75 pounds less than steel brakes. With these upgrades, the top speed is increased to 190 mph.

By the way, the standard brakes are pretty impressive already, having been retuned to stop either car from 62 mph to zero in a distance that is now 6.56 feet shorter.

But if you're going to go for something that costs six figures, you may as well get all the toys and remove some heft. While we're on the subject of weight, the RS6 and RS7 performance have less insulation between the engine bay and the cabin, as well as in other key areas of the car. This reduces weight by some 17.7 lbs, but it also means a more aurally pleasing experience as more engine noise gets inside.

Other changes made by the performance designation include updates to the selectable drive modes. With a greater focus on performance, the car only activates coasting mode automatically (where the engine shuts off for better fuel economy) when the car is in Efficiency mode. The driver display has also been updated with motorsport-inspired graphics, and the launch control system now features traffic lights to help you launch at the perfect time.

As standard, the Performance models come with 21-inch cast aluminum wheels with a 10-spoke star design, but the 22-inch cast items from the regular range are also available. If you want the greatest performance, however, you'll need to splash out on 22-inch lightweight forged wheels, which feature a five-Y-spoke design. Each of these wheels saves 11 lbs for a total of 44 lbs and comes wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 7 rubber in 285/30 sizing.

Best of all, these wheels are offered in a variety of finishes, including burnished glossy metallic black, matte gray, matte black, and matte neodymium gold.

The RS6 and RS7 performance are offered in 16 exterior colors, two of which are new. Metallic and matte Ascari Blue are joined by matte Dew Silver. It remains to be seen which of the 16 hues will be available in the US, as Audi has not confirmed American specifications. But even without these new shades, there are hints at the power that has been added, as performance models get the wing mirror caps, the front spoiler, the front side flaps, the inserts in the side sills, the roof rails, and the window and diffuser trim finished in matte gray.

As usual, customers can opt for a Matte Carbon or a Black Optics Package, which makes the window trims black, and the Audi rings and model badges can be had in either chrome or black. This means that Audi's redesigned logo is not appearing here yet.

Before you even enter the cockpit, the opened doors project an "RS performance" logo onto the floor, but things are even more memorable in the cabin, where it's out with the red and in with the blue - if that's what you like.

The usual RS Design Packages for the cars still come in gray and red, but blue is now offered too. Contrasting stitching in Mercato Blue is found in the black Alcantara steering wheel, while the floor mats, selector lever cuff, and the side of the center console are also enhanced with blue stitching. That theme is continued in the Ocean Blue seatbelts, while the decorative carbon fiber inlays can also be enhanced with optional blue accents.

While the seats are upholstered in Valcona leather with honeycomb stitching and more Mercato Blue highlights, the gear knob and the side of the center console are made with Dinamica microfiber, which is made up of approximately 45% recycled PET fibers.

When ordering one of these RS Design Packages in your choice of gray, red, or blue, the dash inlays, door armrests, and center armrest are finished in more Dinamica microfiber, while the center panel of the seats comes with an inlay in one of the three optional colors, which shows through the perforation in the leather and also on the seat backs, where RS embossing in matching colors features.

All of this comes at a pretty penny, with pricing set at €135,000 in Germany and orders opening on December 8. In our money, that would mean roughly $141,577, but we'll have to wait for official US pricing. Audi of America representatives tell us that American pricing and specification will be confirmed closer to the local launch, with stateside arrival scheduled for sometime next year.