We review the Audi A7 Sportback from price to economy and all its features
AUDI unveiled the first official pictures of their new A7 Sportback this week — and kicked off a heavyweight exec battle with rivals BMW.
The A7 is a large four-door coupé that takes on the Mercedes CLS and Porsche Panamera.
Super stylish ... Audi A7
But no sooner had Audi taken the wraps off their new car, BMW gave their Gran Coupé its European debut and confirmed it will be built.
The Audi — which will be out first — has all the classic Audi hallmarks with similar grille to the A8 limo, yet with hints of the A5 front end and profile.
The A7’s hatch tapers to a rear end that incorporates an active spoiler which rises at motorway speeds. There is also a shallow boot opening and a body-coloured diffuser that houses twin exhausts. Adaptive LED headlamps, plus front and rear running lights add the jewellery glitz. Inside, it is typical Audi — well laid-out and packed with gadgets combined with a spacious and luxurious four-seat cabin.
Perhaps the most notable feature is the amount of leg and headroom in the back considering the sleek roofline.
Standard kit includes a 6.5in dash-mounted monitor which displays satellite navigation, climate and phone functions.
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The car’s Multimedia Interface (MMI) system can be upgraded to include an 8in screen and allows the driver to write on a touchpad to operate phone and navigation systems.
While cars with the Multitronic auto are front-wheel-drive, quattro four-wheel-drive comes as standard with Audi’s seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox. Two V6 petrol and diesels will be available from launch. The most efficient is the 3-litre TDI, which boasts emissions of 139g/km and economy of 53.3mpg. The top-spec 3-litre TFSI delivers 297bhp, 34.4mpg and 190g/km CO2, with 0-60mph taking 5.6 seconds and a 155mph top speed.
The first A7s can be ordered from August 16 with first deliveries on January 8, 2011. Prices will start from £43,745 (including 20 per cent VAT due in January) for the 3-litre TDI. BMW’s Gran Coupé rival won’t arrive until a year later in 2012.
Product development chief Klaus Draeger announced the decision at BMW’s Design Night in Munich, where the car made its European debut this week.
The Gran Coupé is a more practical and bigger version of the 6-Series two-door. But unlike the Merc CLS and A7, Beemer have opted for a saloon body shape.
It will share the same engines and front-end styling as the new 6-Series, which debuts next year.