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Ready to race!
You'd be surprised; I come from a 2011 MK6R (mods in sig), and I currently drive a 2015 MK7R running stage 1 OBD software from Drivermotorsport. The gains the MK7R gets just from software are phenomenal, much more bang for your buck than on the MK6. I dynoed 367bhp at the crank on an AWD dyno, with bone stock hardware. It might not be the case of US-spec Rs though since they do not benefit from multi-port injection.
On just stage 1 I run on par against an MK6R with full bolt-ons and a loba LO400 turbo upgrade. So would not be surprised to give a TSI KO4 a run for its money.
This is what a stock 7R does to a stage 1 6R (that even jump started)
To answer your question OP, the 7R is miles ahead the 6R in terms of driving dynamics, handling, acceleration and overall performance. I've had 3.5 years in the 6R and almost a full year on the 7R now so I know what I'm talking about.
Thats good to hear as when I drove the MK6R in stock form it felt like driving a fridge. Afterwards in 2+ it felt quicker, but still fridge like. When I was driving the AWD I was expecting less of a "well-sorted" fwd feel in the corners. Hopefully the 7R is better in that aspect.