Big-booted bruisers! 2024 Audi RS6 and RS7 Performance pair priced for Australia

Audi's new RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback Performance twins will sit close to the top of the petrol-powered large performance car table, but neither will come cheap.

Positioned at $241,500 before on-road costs for the former and $248,500 for the latter, both flagships are $9300 pricier than their outgoing non-Performance counterparts.

However, with a price bump also comes a rise in power and torque.

Both models are powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 that produces 464kW/850Nm, which is up 22kW/50Nm from before.

Paired to the engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends drive to all four wheels via Audi's quattro system, which enables a 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.4 seconds – or 0.2s quicker than before.

This makes the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback Performance some of the most potent petrol-powered large cars on sale in Australia, outclassed marginally by the soon-to-be-replaced 450kW/850Nm Mercedes-AMG E63 S sedan that wears a $270,469 pricetag.

Inside, buyers are treated to Valcona leather sports seats, an Alcantara steering wheel, a Dinamica microfibre dashboard, heated and cooled front seats.

However, the inclusion of 48-volt mild-hybrid technology in the Performance pair – as well as a cylinder deactivation system – is aimed at keeping fuel economy low, though Audi is yet to specific exact consumption figures.

In a strange step away from a luxury brand, Audi has actually reduced the amount of insulation in the cabin for an increased aural sensation, or as the brand puts it, "allows the emotive sound of the sport exhaust system to travel easily into the cabin".

Both models are powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 that produces 464kW/850Nm.

This also has an added effect of reducing weight, as does the lighter 22-inch wheels fitted to both models that has drops 20kg from unsprung weight.

Of course, there's the standard selection of drive modes (including customisable RS-specific options), a self-locking centre differential and adaptive suspension to improve cornering capability.

In a strange step away from a luxury brand, Audi has actually reduced the amount of insulation in the cabin.

Inside, buyers are treated to Valcona leather sports seats, an Alcantara steering wheel, a Dinamica microfibre dashboard, heated and cooled front seats, ‘RS Performance' LED puddle lights and more.

A new blue cabin colour option has also been added to existing red and grey options.

Audi Australia says the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback Performance are due in local showrooms “imminently”.

On the outside, customers can choose two new exterior styling packages – matt grey and matt carbon black – that changes the finish of the front splitter, side sill inserts, rear diffuser, side mirror caps, Audi logos and window surrounds.

Audi Australia says the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback Performance are due in local showrooms "imminently".