The definition of elegance

Every now and then, a design comes along that strikes a deep emotional chord with all who see it. The new Audi A7 Sportback sports just such a design, a flowing, elegant treatment that has onlookers unconsciously nodding in approval the second they lay eyes on the four-door coupe.

The very definition of automotive elegance, there is no missing the dynamic spirit of the styling. Even at rest, it promises spirited performance and just begs to be taken on a long drive through the mountains or in the country – a car that’s brimming with the very latest in automotive technology, yet has its heart in the tradition of a grand tourer.

Up front, the Singleframe grille is wider and lower than that of the Audi A8 – the narrow headlights, the boldly contoured air inlets and the flat front all speak to its sporting heritage. The silhouette is defined by the dynamic roofline, which drops sharply toward the rear, which like the previous model is tapered like the stern of a yacht. The long luggage compartment lid ends in a pronounced, curved lip from which an integrated spoiler extends automatically at 120km/h, and a flat light strip – a design feature common to all of Audi’s top models – joins the rear lights, whose tail lights are made up of 13 vertical segments. When the doors are unlocked and again when they are locked, fast-moving light animations play in the rear lights and in the headlights, highlighting the big coupe’s dynamics while standing still. 

The interior too dazzles with its futuristic lounge atmosphere and space. The luggage compartment has a base capacity of 535 litres that increases to 1390 litres with the rear seats folded down, and the luggage compartment has been optimised so that two golf bags now fit horizontally – in addition to the optional spare tyre.

Clean, sweeping design houses state-of-the-art technology, all beautifully integrated so that the interior architecture and the technology become one. Audi’s new MMI touch operating concept works in concert with the 10.1-inch upper display. With its black panel optics and framed in a graphite grey aluminium clasp, it almost disappears into the dashboard when switched off.

The MMI touch (which includes the virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch display) replaces the rotary push button and the conventional controls of the previous model with two large, high-resolution touch displays. The driver controls the infotainment system from the upper display, while the 8.6-inch lower display provides access to the climate control system, comfort functions and text input. 

An optional voice control system is also available, as is a head-up display that projects important information onto the windscreen. 

With its comprehensive connectivity, the Audi A7 is perfectly equipped for long-distance touring. It offers customers more convenience, safety and customisation options. Up to seven drivers can store their preferred settings in individual user profiles and as many as 400 parameters can be personalised. The online services from Audi connect have been expanded and include the traffic sign and hazard information Car-to-X services, while four sound systems are on offer, including the sublime Bang & Olufsen with 3D sound in the rear seats.

The Audi A7 boasts the very latest in technology, including the Audi AI remote parking pilot and the Audi AI remote garage pilot, which will be made available in 2018. They autonomously manoeuvre the A7 Sportback into and out of a parking space or garage and the driver can even control the function via the myAudi app on their smartphone. In addition to the Audi AI systems, the new A7 Sportback features a total of 39 driver assistance systems. They are split up into three packages: the Audi AI parking package (gradual introduction beginning 2018), the City assist package with the new crossing assist, and the Tour assist package. The latter includes such things as the efficiency assistant, which facilitates a driving style conducive to reducing consumption, and the adaptive driving assistant (ADA), which supplements the adaptive cruise control (ACC) with helpful steering interventions to maintain the lane. 

Of course, the A7 Sportback promises not just driving performance, but a ride in the tradition of grand touring. The optional dynamic-all- wheel steering, the new electronic chassis program (ECP) – the central controller for the chassis – and the updated air suspension make it even more agile, nimble and comfortable. 

The standard progressive steering has been further improved for greater driver feedback, while the top chassis-related innovation is dynamic-all-wheel steering. Customers can choose between four suspension setups: a conventional steel spring suspension, the sport suspension that lowers ride height by 10 millimetres, electronically controlled damping and the self-levelling adaptive air suspension. The optional sport differential improves handing even further, actively distributing drive torque between the rear wheels and complementing the quattro all-wheel drive.

All engines used in the A7 Sportback come standard with a new mild hybrid system (MHEV) for greater comfort and efficiency. With the two V6 engines, this uses a 48-volt primary electrical system. A belt alternator starter (BAS) works together with a lithium-ion battery and achieves a recuperation performance of up to 12kW when braking. At speeds between 55 and 160km/h, the four-door coupe can coast in freewheeling mode with the engine deactivated and then restarted comfortably via the BAS. 

The new Audi A7 Sportback will initially launch with the 3.0 V6 TFSI. The V6 turbo produces 250kW of power and 500Nm of torque, propelling the A7 Sportback from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h. This engine is paired with a seven- speed S tronic, with its quattro drivetrain using the efficient ultra technology that activates rear-wheel drive as needed. Additional six- and four-cylinder engines, both petrol and diesel, will follow shortly after the start of production. The stunning new Audi A7 Sportback is set to launch in Germany in late February 2018, with its international introduction to follow throughout the year*.

Register your interest in the A7 Sportback to receive updates from Audi Australia in the lead up to its arrival.

*Final specification, launch date and model line-up are yet to be confirmed for Australia at time of writing.