Audi is determined to be the world’s top luxury car manufacturer.
To attain this goal, it has announced ambitious plans to offer 42 distinct body styles by 2015 and cover every niche in the market.
In Audi’s scheme of things, the new A7 is number 35.
In Europe and Asia, the four-ringed marque is currently the best-selling luxury brand.
Audi A7 cockpit is simply packed with luxury and technology.
Global sales from January to July 2010, however, show BMW with 687,250 units slightly ahead of both Mercedes-Benz (654,296) and Audi (646,287).
In Singapore, Audi is the fastest growing premium marque, with registrations up 30 percent this year in spite of the over 30 percent cut in the COE quota.
The new A7 is an entirely new model line designed to take on the trailblazing Mercedes CLS and BMW’s 5 Series Gran Turismo.
It is similar in concept to the A5 Sportback, but oozes greater presence and deeper luxury.
Audi A7’s array of trim options includes this yacht-inspired timber ideal for the Marina Bay towkay.
A new, more prominent grille draws visual cues from the A8 flagship. But where the A8 design is possibly too conservative, the A7 sets new standards in style.
A sharp “tornado line” spans the entire flank. It starts at the headlights and extends along the fenders, doors and rear sidewalls before gently sloping to the tail-lights.
This gives the A7 a broad-shouldered and taut appearance, athletic but still very discreet and not overly macho.
The cabin is no less distinctive. A central element of the interior design is a “wrap-around” horizontal line encircling the driver and front passenger. It starts above the instrument panel and ends at the passenger’s door.
Audi A7 is no seven-seater, but the five occupants enjoy the best of Sportback functionality, plus a touch of A8 luxury living.
However, the piece de resistance is a large monitor – neatly stored above the central vents in the dash – that pops up elegantly when the engine is started.
Though essentially a four-door coupe, Audi designers have cleverly omitted the centre console from the rear, enabling a third person to be ferried.
Leg and shoulder room is generous in the rear, but six-footers will have their hair restyled by the roof lining.
The sat-nav sets the lofty tech bar even higher. Besides delivering clear and accurate representations through Google Earth, the system even warns the transmission and active headlamps of corners!
Also new for Audi is a crystal-clear head-up display.
A significant 20 percent of the body – including fenders, lids, doors and structural cross-members – is made of aluminium. This hybrid construction weighs 15 percent lighter than a comparable all-steel body.
Despite this, the A7 boasts a sturdy, rigid feel with no evidence of weakness or panel shake over rough surfaces.
This strength in turn translates into superb refinement and handling. There is excellent suppression of road and wind noise; the only engine sound that filters through is a stirring intake-exhaust note.
The A7 comes with a choice of four engines. The two petrol units are the 204bhp 2.8 V6 and 300bhp 3-litre.
An all-new 3-litre diesel is available with either 204bhp or 245bhp. The latter is a gem and definitely the most impressive A7 variant currently available.
Due in the second quarter of 2011, the first A7 version to arrive in Singapore will be the 3-litre TFSI.
Located in the 90-degree bank of the V6 is a belt-driven supercharger. This is the same basic engine as the acclaimed 333bhp S4, although it has been detuned in this application to 300bhp.
With 440Nm of torque between 2900rpm and 4500rpm, the 3-litre TFSI A7 catapults from rest to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds, with the V6 emitting a soul-stirring throb when revved hard.
The vehicle shares its floor pan with the new A6, slated to be launched next year. This is good news for A6 fans waiting for the new saloon, since the A7 heralds the demise of nose-heavy handling.
Front suspension comprises four-link double wishbones, while the rear is suspended via trapezoidal links.
And how the new A7 proves its mettle over the twisty roads of Sardinia. Its innovative electro-mechanical steering is a vast improvement over the system used in the A4/A5.
Feedback is natural and perfectly weighted, with a quick turn-in response that betrays no signs of nervousness.
Audi A7 scores well for its ride, handling and steering tests, which bodes well for the upcoming A6.
When set to Dynamic, it does not experience the artificial heaviness and sticky feel of the steering that afflict the A7’s smaller siblings.
The ride is compliant over ridges and surface irregularities, even when fitted with the optional 265/35 R20 tyres.
Possibly the most impressive aspect of the suspension is that it never feels harsh, even in Dynamic mode.
The Drive Select system allows you to choose from three settings and even an “Individual” mode to suit your preferred driving style.
Credit for the excellent handling goes to the new intelligent torque vectoring that acts on all four wheels.
The software computes the optimal distribution of power over fast corners.
When it senses that the wheels on the inside of a curve are beginning to slip, it gently brakes these wheels.
This allows more torque to be distributed to the outer wheels.
Audi A7 ride is extremely refined, with just a hint of engine note.
The A7 feels very secure over fast sweepers, with just a trace of understeer.
Opt for the optional rear sports differential and the handling goes up yet another notch – the A7 feels more neutral with a slight tightening of the cornering line.
This is truly a must-have option.
Boot space is a class-leading 535 litres with all the seats up. With the seats folded, cargo room increases to a wagon-like 1390 litres!
Golfers, however, will have to bear with the shape of the boot, which requires golf bags to be ferried longitudinally rather than transversely.
The new A7 should propel Audi sales further ahead. Of greater significance is the fact that this car forms the basis of the new A6 saloon.
With the credentials of the A7 to count on, next year’s A6 could “overtake” the BMW 5 Series and help realise Audi’s objective of global luxury leadership.
Audi A7 3.0 (A)
ENGINE 2995cc, 24-valves, V6, supercharged
MAX POWER 300bhp at 5250-6500rpm
MAX TORQUE 440Nm at 2900-4500rpm
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100KM/H 5.6 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 12.2km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE (AS OF NOVEMBER 2010) To be advised; car arrives 2011 Q2
