DC Drive | Audi TTS and Audi RS7 performance

Audi of America recently hosted local journalists at its Herndon, Va. headquarters, where the brand invites us to take a spin in the company’s latest products. We paired up with our friend Mike Parris at WTOP inside the 2017 Audi TTS and the 2017 Audi RS7 performance — each amazingly beautiful cars in their own right.

2016 Audi TTS packs a punch for two

Audi’s two-dour is almost nostalgic, seeing success among coupe lovers since its debut in 1998. The most impressive feature on the Audi TTS is the implementation of its virtual cockpit, a full-screen instrument cluster nestled in front of the driver that provides a satellite navigation view with guided instructions. Audi’s virtual cockpit is a beautiful feature, and an important one because it is the sole information display in the car.

While some have complained about the lack of power in the stock TT, the TTS seems to make up for this with a 2.0L turbo inline-four with 292 horsepower and 280-lb ft of torque. It’s not the fastest coupe out there, but the 72 hp improvement gets it from 0 to 60 mph a full second faster. Performance is exactly what you’d expect from a German engineered two-door. Cornering is tight, steering responsive.

Audi upholds its commitment to clutter-free design both inside and out. The TTS has enough softness in its appearance not to turn away potential female buyers; yet, its angular lines give it a masculine persona.

We appreciated the unique color combo on the Audi TTS we drove; the nano gray metallic is a flatter midlevel gray paint that has a sophisticated subtleness to it. Inside, you’d be hard pressed to fall asleep thanks to the Express Red interior with quilted stitching. Thankfully, the red doesn’t permeate the cabin, being limited to the seat fronts, the center armrest, and the 2+2 seats in the rear. In any other car, we might object to such a bold shade of red, but the TTS wears this hue well.

2016 Audi RS7 performance sport sedan

Who doesn’t want to get behind the wheel of a 605 horsepower four-door? Audi has created the ultimate car enthusiast’s sedan in the RS7. If you love the lines of the A7 coupe-like sedan, then you’ll be infatuated with the RS7 that boasts a 4.0T engine and available quattro. Our tester handled the twisty the backroads of Virginia like a champ. Our only regret was not having more wiggle room to bust the RS7 performance wide open (without the threat of getting thrown into jail, of course).

Never mind its all-star performance, this car is absolutely gorgeous. The design exudes strength, refinement and athleticism. It’s an aesthetic that’s likely pleasing to both male and female audiences. Stepping inside, Audi continues to bring the premium treats with contrast stitching accenting the RS7 sport seats in a honeycomb pattern and Alcantara lining the ceiling. The RS7 is the epitome of restrained luxury, balancing a sophisticated combination of textures and modern lines without bombarding us with ideas.

We’ll have a full review on the RS7 performance when it arrives in our driveway this fall. Subscribe to Best Cars Guide to get monthly news.