Road Test - Audi A7 Sportback
Author: Ian Strachan
A coupe was new territory for Audi until they launched the beautifully-styled Audi A5. Now they’ve given it large with the bigger, premium sector A7 Sportback.
A coupe was new territory for Audi until they launched the
beautifully-styled Audi A5. Now they've given it large with the
bigger, premium sector A7 Sportback.
The A7 is certainly a looker. With its dramatically sloping rear
screen and narrow windows it has a bit of the new Jaguar XJ about
it, which is certainly no criticism. Dramatic spoked alloys add to
its already striking appearance.
Despite the sloping rear screen there's still plenty of room for
four adults in this car, and its extra-long wheelbase means the
boot - with automatic opening and closing - is cavernous. That's
something you don't get on a lot of modern coupes.
Be in no doubt, this newcomer to the premium coupe market is
refined, oozes style, is very comfortable and comes with a host of
extras you don't expect to find on a standard-spec German car. And
tall backseat passengers won't end up with a cricked
neck.
Standard equipment includes a satellite navigation and media
screen which appears magically from the facia when the car is
started ( a great bit of German engineering), DAB digital radio,
leather upholstery, electrically operated heated door mirrors,
electric seat adjustment and heating, cruise and parking controls,
first aid kit, fog lights, acoustic parking system with on-screen
assist, Xenon headlights and LED tail lamps, three zone climate
control with rear seat controls, and multi-function steering wheel.
You also get keyless ignition, split folding rear seats, anti-theft
system and chromed exhaust pipes as part of the standard
package.
So straightaway you're getting lots of car for your money. And
the car is further enhanced by very high quality trim materials
used throughout the interior, giving it a little more class and
style. My test car had glorious chocolate-coloured leather
panels.
Stowage space for a coupe is impressive, making this an
excellent tourer. As well its 535-litres of boot space the 60-40
split rear seats fold to provide extra luggage space.
The A7 Sportback which I drove has a silky V6 245 horsepower
three litre turbo-diesel engine which is light, lively and well
balanced with great power delivery. You really won't know you're
driving a diesel. It will get you from 0-60 in not much more than
six seconds, and has great mid range power, always feeling as if it
has more to give.
Despite its power and pull, fuel consumption in mixed driving is
very good at just above 47 mpg.
Handling, as you'd expect from an Audi with a four wheel drive
Quattro set up, is excellent. The car felt in total control
throughout, including in wet weather. Road and wind noise are kept
to a minimum and despite the low profile tyres on its alloys the
ride is smooth and unfussed. My test car came with a Audi's
S-Tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox.
Entry level price for the Audi A7 Sportback is £43,745 on
the road. My SE automatic is £48,000.
This is a stylish and roomy premium coupe that sets very high
standards. It's an attractive, well specified, high-performing car
which doesn't make compromises. And it looks great.
Road test by Ian Strachan Communications
Ltd
Ian Strachan is a motoring and business writer and PR
consultant. He can be contacted on 01543 490932 or 07949
202596 or via email: ian@strachan13.freeserv