Leave it to Audi to take a good idea and make it better. When everyone else jumped on the SUV bandwagon a decade ago, Audi responded by making the wagon better with the A6 Allroad. When it came time to release a no-compromise sports car, there was Audi with the spectacular R8. And as luxury sports coupes have come back into fashion, Audi brought us the impressive A5.
Once an afterthought in the luxury ranks, Germany's "other" automaker has been nothing short of brilliant over the past decade. It started with the interior, with a top-notch design work that made Audis some of the most comfortable and inviting vehicles on the road. Quality was already on the rise, and the quattro all-wheeldrive system had long been a standard for excellence in the industry. When Audi designers ramped up the exterior styling, the package was complete.
So, what does Audi have in store for us next? How about a car that combines the sensibilities of a sedan, the practicality of a wagon, and the excitement of a coupe? That would be the brand-new A7.
There are no shortages of "fourdoor" coupes (sedans with coupelike rear proportions) these days, led by the Mercedes-Benz CLSClass and the Porsche Panamera, but the Audi A7 trumps them all. Compared to the CLS, the A7 offers more flexibility thanks to its sportback hatch. Compared to the Panamera, the Audi is just a better-looking car. Add in a base price that's over $15,000 less, and the A7 has what can only be considered an unfair advantage over its rivals. Even the new BMW 5Series Gran Turismo-a five-door hatch with similar fundamentals-comes up short against the A7's impressive blend of performance, style, and practicality.
Where price is concerned, the $68,800 A7 sits a little above the A6 sedan and a lot below the ultra-luxury A8. Interestingly enough, that's also how it feels in terms of driveability, functionality and refinement-but when you add all of those things up, the overall experience is much greater than the sum of its parts.
If there's anything working against the newest Audi, it's demand. There are undoubtedly many consumers who would appreciate the sensibilities of a fourdoor coupe, but it's debatable whether any of the current entries offer enough value to justify their higher costs. Until that happens, the A7 will remain a fashion statement in a niche market. And if you must make a statement, it's absolutely the one to own.
DESIGN
The A7's exterior design is characterized by a long wheelbase with short fender overhangs, but the detail that makes it special is the smooth flow of the roofline into a sharp-edged rear spoiler that carries right down through the rear fenders.
Up front, the A7 has a long, sculpted hood leading up to a blacked-out trapezoidal grille with seven horizontal spines. It very much feels like a sports coupe's skin has been stretched over a sedan frame. There's almost no hint that the A7 is a hatchback until you open the lid.
In addition to the standard Xenon headlights, which are designed such that the car doesn't need fog lamps, the A7 has the option of LED headlights to go with the LED taillights and running lamps. It's a very interesting option that sets the Audi apart while also reducing energy consumption.
Inside, the A7 boasts high-end finishes and a simple, sensible aesthetic, with an upright dash and wide console. There's just the right amount of wood and chrome accenting, balanced against an excellent LCD display between the gauges and a larger LCD screen that disappears smoothly into the dashboard.
Where quality is concerned, the A7's materials, construction, and overall attention to detail are superb. We've come to expect great things from Audi in this regard, and the A7 doesn't disappoint.
PERFORMANCE
The A7's supercharged 3.0L V6 is tuned for 310-hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and comes with a stateof-the-art eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, as well as standard quattro all-wheel drive. A V8 would be a nice option, but the V6 provides plenty of power on demand.
The eight-speed Tiptronic is impressively fluid, with responsive paddle shifters that almost make up for the lack of an optional manual gearbox. Perhaps that will show up on a future S7 variant?
On the road, the A7 is smooth and predictable, with nimble handling that makes it a joy to drive. It's not as refined as an A8 sedan, but offers a sportier feel and more feedback than the A6 sedan on which it's based.
Ride quality is exceptional-the A7 is quiet and smooth, providing a comfortable ride when you want it, and reasonable body roll when you press hard into the corners.
ENVIRONMENT
A well-designed rear hatch with a height-adjustable power liftgate is one of the A7's key strengths, offering the streamlined look of a coupe trunk lid and the practicality of a flat, open cargo space wit 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The rear storage is supplemented by generous map pockets and a big glove box up front.
Front seats are comfortable and supportive, without proving too stiff, and the rear seats benefit from surprisingly good leg room and head room. It's not as good as a traditional sedan with a higher roofline, but more than adequate.
The A7 employs the latest iteration of Audi's MMI interface, which works with the popup LCD to control the audio, navigation, and telephone system. MMI includes a touchpad for entering keystrokes with less distraction, but drivers are still better off leaving the complex tasks for the side of the road.
Other advanced technologies include a night-vision system and Audi Connect, an industry-first broadband option that enables the A7 to serve as a wi-fi hotspot for your mobile devices, while also providing Google-based navigation and search capabilities.
FEATURES
The A7 sells $68,600 in Premium trim and $74,300 for the Premium Plus model.
Standard equipment on the Premium includes ABS, air conditioning, cruise control, Xenon headlights, LED taillights, Bluetooth, rear parking sensors, sunroof, power tailgate, heated front and rear seats, tilt/telescope steering, and front/frontside/side-curtain airbags.
Additional features, available as options or on the Premium Plus, include an S Line Sport Package, ventilated seats, rear-side airbags, LED headlights, adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control, GPS navigation, heads-up display, night-vision display, and upgraded Bose or Bang & Olufsen sound systems.
Fuel efficiency is rated at 11.4L/100km in the city and 7.4L/100km on the highway.
Thumbs up: Superb exterior design; inviting interior; rewarding performance; practical hatch.
Thumbs down: Lack of a manual gearbox. Not much else.
The bottom line: A car that will catch on quickly.
COMPETITORS:
. Acura ZDX The $54,990 ZDX comes with a 3.7L V6 producing 300-hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, along with a sixspeed automatic transmission and Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive. Although the ZDX shares the A7's five-door design, all similarities end there. In contrast to the coupelike A7, the Acura is closer to a cross between a sedan and an SUV.
. BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo Starting at $69,900, the new 5-Series Gran Turismo is powered by either a 3.0L V6 with 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, or a turbocharged 4.4L V8 with 400-hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and comes with xDrive all-wheel drive. There's a lot to like about the Gran Turismo, but when it comes to design the A7 is a clear winner. This is particularly apparent in the rear, where the BMW looks almost unfinished.
. Lexus GS
The current GS goes for $54,650, but Lexus is already showing off the incoming 2013 model, equipped with a 3.5L V6 generating 306-hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, and rear-or all-wheel drive. The new GS will also be available with a hybrid powertrain. It doesn't offer the A7's coupe-like styling or rear hatch, but the redesigned GS injects more attitude and aggressiveness into Lexus's mid-size sports sedan, while retaining a good price.
