Audi has launched its all-new A7 Sportback, a niche model that squeezes into the space between the German company’s A6 and A8 models although it differs from these models in that it is a hatchback with a decidedly sporty look and feel. In that respect it’s comparable to the A5 Sportback which fits in between the A4 and A6.
The Audi A7 Sportback shares similar coupe-like lines and approximate dimensions as cars such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW 5 Series GT and Porsche Panamera. All are members of a new market segment being called four-door coupes, although strictly speaking the Porsche and Audi, being hatchbacks, are five-door coupes. We prefer the more traditional name of Grand Tourer (GT).
Naturally the new Audi A7 uses the single-frame grille. Although smaller in the A7 than in the squarer sedan models it still dominates the front of the car where it’s framed by narrow headlights fringed by L-shaped daytime running lights.
The Audi A7 shares the same long-wheelbase, short-overhang body with its A5 sibling that gives it a squat, stable look. The sweeping roof-line is long and low giving the car a smooth, sleek profile.
The interior is equally stylish. The front sports seats are comfortable and supportive although, despite being a big car at almost 5.0-metres long, rear seat room in the A7 is somewhat restricted both in quantity (there are only two seats) and space. The dipping roofline and large boot restrict head and leg room respectively. Having said that only taller occupants are likely to be inconvenienced and then only in the rear seats with the front seats fully extended. Audi points out that this is a car for the sports-minded driver rather than a luxury saloon.
There’s plenty of headroom for front-seat occupants despite the presence of a sunroof, a feature that can often cause problems for some drivers.
The restricted rear space is offset by a large boot, a practical feature given the likely buyer profile of a grand touring car. It has a capacity of 535 litres large although its wedge shape will mean a little bit of planning is required when loading large items. The hatch lid is large and heavy but is power-operated so there’s no problem there. Folding the rear seat backs extends the load area to 1390 litres.
Power for the Australian A7 Sportback models comes from a choice of two 3.0-litre V6 engines, one a supercharged petrol, the other a turbocharged diesel. A naturally-aspirated 2.8-litre petrol engine will be added later this year. Audi says it has no plans for a V8.
Maximum power and torque are 220 kW / 440 Nm from the petrol and 180 kW / 500 Nm from the diesel with zero to 100 km/h acceleration of 5.6 and 6.5 seconds respectively.
As with most modern diesels, there’s a slightly harsher note at start-up from outside the car, and no difference from inside when under way.
Both engines are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive.
Audi has been a pioneer in the use of aluminium in its vehicles and the A7’s chassis is built with about 30 per cent of the lightweight material contributing to lower fuel consumption and improved handling and braking.
We were able to test drive both A7 variants during the car’s Australian launch in a 350-kilometre drive on the pleasantly uncluttered roads of south-east Tasmania. There was little to separate the performance from the two engines, the petrol was a little smoother and more refined but the diesel provided that little bit of extra grunt on long hill climbs and when overtaking, all with barely any turbo lag.
Performance and road handling are what we’ve come to expect from Audi. With the added benefit of quattro all-wheel drive the car powered through sharp corners at speeds well above what we’d attempt in lesser cars.
Official combined cycle fuel consumption figures for the petrol A7 are 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres and for the diesel 6.0 L/100 km. Our figures were well above these but that was with some aggressive driving. We’ll look for a more everyday reading when we do our extended road test report in a few months time.
Naturally the Audi A7 Sportback has many of today’s leading edge technology. Standard features include a retractable 8-inch driver information screen that displays numerous items including the Audi multimedia interface (MMI), powered front seats, side assist monitoring, reversing camera, parking sensors, a pre-safe safety system to initiate preventative measures when it senses a possible collision, bluetooth interface, satellite navigation, adaptive headlights, engine stop-start and four-mode selective driving dynamics system. There’s more so visit your local Audi dealer for a complete briefing.
The A7 TDI comes with 18-inch alloy wheels while the TFSI has 19-inch alloys as standard and 20-inch as an option.
Prices for the A7 Sportback are $142,750 for the 3.0 TDI quattro turbo-diesel and $147,800 for the 3.0 TFSI quattro supercharged petrol. Options include $2700 for LED headlights, $3400 for a head-up windscreen display, $3570 for adaptive cruise control, $4890 for night vision and $12,350 for the Bang and Olufsen sound system. Note that these prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Audi dealer for driveaway prices. |
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