From the February 2015 issue of Car and Driver

Tuner cars, those science projects engineered to make already-fast cars truly berserk, are often more trouble than they’re worth. But what if you could make a two-ton-plus sports sedan run a sub-11 quarter-mile with nothing more than a computer upgrade? Wouldn’t that be worthwhile?

That’s the pitch of Opelika, Alabama–based APR with its Stage 1 Audi RS7. Not that the Audi needs much help from this longtime Volkswagen tuner. The stock RS7, with its eight-speed automatic and Quattro system, reaches 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and blitzes the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds at 123 mph.

View Photos MARC URBANO

However, fitted to the RS7 seen here ($129,374 as tested), APR’s Stage 1 tune boosts the output of the stock twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 from 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque to a claimed 674 and 700, respectively, on 93-octane pump gas. If that still seems soft, a second tuning map available at the touch of the cruise-control stalk yields 728 ponies and 744 pound-feet on 100-octane racing fuel for a proper Hellcat-crushing act. All that’s necessary is a software reflash for the engine computer ($2999 installed) that can be performed at any of APR’s 400-plus partner Audi dealers.

Although our testing wasn’t without issues—an APR engineer had to exorcise a demon from our car’s brain before it ran properly—the additional thrust had the 4508-pound Audi pulling violently with the Thor hammer down. It briefly spun all four tires during launch, and our test gear reported an impressive 2.9-second warp to 60 mph on premium unleaded, with the quarter-mile blurring past in 11.0 flat at 129 mph. Not quite the high-10-second hero times APR promised, but still wickedly quick for just a few extra lines of code.

View Photos MARC URBANO

The new programming also sharpens throttle response and ups the RS7’s electronically limited top speed from the stock 190 mph to a claimed 202. There are no changes in the cabin to indicate the added power underhood, with control for the various programs spliced into the Audi’s cruise-control stalk. Additional management is available via the APR Mobile system ($200), which uses a Bluetooth dongle plugged into the car’s OBD II port to relay data to a smartphone app.

Costing the same as the RS7’s optional Alcantara headliner, APR’s Stage 1 setup is a tantalizing performance value. Just remember that, as with all aftermarket engine mods, the car’s factory warranty will be shredded and your results may vary. APR’s 560-hp program for the lesser Audi S6 and S7 ($1499) may be more attractive still, but that would be way too sensible.

APR LLC, 4800 U.S. Highway 280 West,

Opelika, Alabama 36801; 800-680-7921;

www.goapr.com

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