Next Level Performance
August 2, 2026 • 12 min read
The Akrapovic Evolution Line cat-back is a full-titanium exhaust system for the 2014–2017 Audi RS7 (C7) that trades the factory stainless-steel muffler section for a lighter, louder, harder-edged one. It is the halo exhaust for the twin-turbo 4.0T V8, and at $10,688.07 it is also the single most expensive RS7 exhaust we stock. In this review we cover exactly what changes on the C7 RS7 — sound, weight, power, fitment, and whether it is worth the money over a stock system that already sounds pretty good.
Our Verdict
The Akrapovic Evolution Line is the definitive RS7 C7 exhaust: full titanium, carbon tips, and a valve-controlled bark that turns the 4.0T V8 into an event.
Cat-back power gains are modest, as they always are on a boosted engine, but the roughly 40% weight cut over the OEM system, the deeper wide-open-throttle note, and the retained factory valve control make this the reference upgrade for a 560–605 hp RS7. Buy it for sound, weight, and jewelry-grade build quality — not for a dyno headline.
Shop Our Top Pick →2014-2017 Audi RS7 (C7): The 560-605 HP Starting Point
The 2014–2017 Audi RS7 (Type 4G, C7 generation) is a five-door Sportback powered by a 4.0-liter TFSI twin-turbo V8. Early 2014–2015 cars make 560 hp at 5,700–6,600 rpm and 516 lb-ft of torque from just 1,750 rpm; the 2016–2018 RS7 Performance bumps that to up to 605 hp and 553 lb-ft on overboost. Both send power through an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic and quattro all-wheel drive.
That combination puts 0–60 mph in the low-to-mid 3-second range and a governed top speed that climbs from 155 mph to 174 mph (Dynamic package) or 190 mph (Dynamic Plus on the Performance). It is a ~4,470 lb car that hides its mass brilliantly. The one thing it does not do from the factory is shout: Audi tuned the RS7 to be discreet, with cylinder-on-demand deactivating four cylinders under light load and a muffler section that keeps the V8 civil. That restraint is exactly the gap the Akrapovic Evolution Line is built to close.
The Akrapovic Evolution Line titanium system for the C7 Audi RS7.
Akrapovic Evolution Line Titanium Cat-Back Review
The Akrapovic Evolution Line (part S-AU/TI/4H) is a direct bolt-on cat-back that replaces everything behind the factory catalytic converters with grade-quality titanium mufflers, connecting pipes, and a set of carbon-fiber tailpipe tips. It retains the RS7’s factory sound-control valves, so the system reads engine load and driving mode the same way the OEM exhaust does — quiet in Comfort, aggressive in Dynamic. Because it is a cat-back, it keeps the RS7’s original catalytic converters in place, which is what keeps it street-friendly.
Key Specifications
Sound, Weight, and Power: What Actually Changes
Sound
Sound is the headline. With the valves open at wide-open throttle, the Akrapovic turns the RS7’s muted 4.0T into a hard-edged, metallic V8 bark with real volume on overrun and pops between shifts. In Comfort mode the valves close and the car stays commuter-quiet, so you keep the RS7’s daily-driver manners. This is the single biggest reason RS7 owners buy this system: it makes a fast, discreet car finally sound as quick as it is.
Weight
Titanium is the story underneath. Akrapovic quotes its Evolution Line titanium systems as roughly 40% lighter than the factory stainless-steel setup, and that weight comes off the rear of a heavy AWD car, low and behind the axle line. You will not feel it the way you feel a coilover, but every pound removed from the tail helps rotation and reduces the mass the dampers have to control.
Titanium mufflers cut roughly 40% of the OEM system’s weight, per Akrapovic.
Power
Be honest about power: a cat-back on a turbocharged engine is not where the big numbers live, because the turbochargers and catalytic converters upstream set most of the backpressure. Expect single-digit horsepower and a small mid-range gain rather than a dyno-chart transformation. The RS7 already makes 560–605 hp; the Akrapovic sharpens throttle response and frees the top end slightly, but if peak power is the only goal, an ECU tune and downpipes move the needle far more. Buy this system for sound, weight, response, and build quality.
The complete Evolution Line cat-back for the C7 Audi RS7, mufflers and connecting pipes in titanium.
Installation and Fitment on the C7 RS7
Fitment is model-specific: this system is engineered for the 2014–2017 Audi RS7 Sportback (C7) and bolts to the factory hanger points and the stock diffuser cutouts. Installation is a straightforward bolt-on cat-back — no cutting, no welding — and most shops complete it in about 2–3 hours on a lift. Because it is a cat-back that keeps the OEM catalytic converters, it does not disturb the RS7’s emissions equipment, which is why cat-back systems remain street-legal in most states.
The carbon-fiber tips are sized to sit cleanly in the RS7’s rear valance for an OEM-plus look, and the retained sound valves plug back into the factory harness so the drive-mode behavior is unchanged. At our Tampa, FL shop we recommend a titanium torque check after the first few heat cycles — standard practice on any titanium system as the clamps settle.
Carbon-fiber tailpipe tips are shaped to fit the RS7’s factory diffuser.
Complete the RS7 Build: Intake and Brakes
An exhaust is one third of a balanced C7 RS7 build. Owners who add the Akrapovic almost always pair it with more airflow up front and more braking to match the pace. Here is the stack we recommend for a 2014–2017 RS7, with the Akrapovic as the anchor:
| Product | Category | Material | What It Does | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akrapovic Evolution Line Cat-BackTop Pick | Exhaust | Titanium + carbon tips | Sheds ~40% weight, unlocks the V8 note | $10,688.07 |
| AWE S-FLO Carbon Intake V2 | Cold Air Intake | Carbon fiber airboxes | More airflow and induction growl | $1,325.00 |
| EBC RP-X Front Brake Pads | Brakes | Race compound | Fade-resistant stops for 560+ hp | $303.18 |
The AWE S-FLO carbon airboxes add airflow and intake growl to pair with the Akrapovic.
Pros and Cons of the Akrapovic RS7 Exhaust
What We Like
- + Full-titanium build is roughly 40% lighter than the OEM system
- + Retains the factory sound valves — quiet daily, loud on demand
- + Carbon-fiber tips and jewelry-grade welds for an OEM-plus look
- + Direct bolt-on: no cutting, keeps the factory cats and diffuser
Things to Consider
- – Premium price — $10,688.07 is the top of the RS7 exhaust market
- – Cat-back power gains are modest; downpipes and a tune do more for peak hp
Is the Akrapovic RS7 Exhaust Worth It?
For the right owner, yes. If you want the 2014–2017 RS7 to finally sound as fast as it is, shed real weight from the rear of the car, and wear a titanium-and-carbon system with build quality that matches the car, nothing in the C7 RS7 catalog does it better than the Akrapovic Evolution Line. It is the flagship for a reason. If your priority is chasing the biggest dyno number for the least money, start with a tune and downpipes instead — then come back for the Akrapovic when you want the sound and the weight to match the power. Either way, our Tampa team can confirm fitment for your exact VIN before you order.
Jewelry-grade titanium welds and carbon tips give the RS7 an OEM-plus finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Akrapovic cat-back add horsepower on the Audi RS7?
Only modestly. On the RS7’s twin-turbo 4.0T V8, a cat-back exhaust typically adds single-digit horsepower and a small mid-range gain, because the turbochargers and catalytic converters upstream control most of the backpressure. The Akrapovic Evolution Line is bought primarily for sound, a roughly 40% weight reduction, and throttle response — not for peak power. For bigger numbers, add downpipes and an ECU tune.
How much does the Akrapovic RS7 exhaust weigh compared to stock?
Akrapovic lists its Evolution Line titanium systems as approximately 40% lighter than the factory stainless-steel cat-back. On a roughly 4,470 lb RS7, the savings come off the rear of the car behind the axle, which helps rotation and reduces the mass the dampers must control.
Is the Akrapovic Evolution Line exhaust legal for the street?
In most states, yes. The Akrapovic Evolution Line is a cat-back system, meaning it replaces only the components behind the factory catalytic converters and leaves the RS7’s emissions equipment intact. It does not require a CARB Executive Order because it sits downstream of the catalysts. Always confirm your local noise and inspection rules.
Will the Akrapovic exhaust fit my 2014-2017 Audi RS7?
Yes. Part S-AU/TI/4H is engineered specifically for the 2014–2017 Audi RS7 Sportback (C7). It is a direct bolt-on that uses the factory hanger points and OEM diffuser cutouts, with no cutting or welding required. Installation typically takes about 2–3 hours on a lift.
Does the Akrapovic RS7 exhaust keep the factory sound valves?
Yes. The system retains the RS7’s OEM valve control and plugs back into the factory harness, so the exhaust stays quiet in Comfort mode and opens up in Dynamic. You keep full daily-driver manners with a loud, hard-edged V8 note available on demand.
What should I pair with the Akrapovic exhaust on a C7 RS7?
For a balanced build, add the AWE S-FLO Carbon Intake ($1,325.00) for more airflow and induction growl, and EBC RP-X front brake pads ($298.13) to match the extra pace with fade-resistant stops. Together with the Akrapovic Evolution Line cat-back, these three upgrades cover sound, airflow, and braking.
Upgrade Your Audi RS7
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