Priced from £54,940, and due with its first UK customers in April, the all-new A7 Sportback has been updated visually with reference to the latest Audi design language, and “brings on board the most contemporary and transformational technology”.
Audi says the latest A7 Sportback draws inspiration from the its prologue concept study that spearheaded the introduction of the new Audi design language. In common with the A8 which was the first to take the new direction into series production, one of its key defining features is a flat light strip which creates a continuous light pattern across the rear – a distinction that will mark out all models in the upper echelons of the Audi range in future. When the doors are unlocked and again when they are locked, fast-moving light animations play in the rear lights and in the headlights.
Compared with the previous model, interior length has increased by 21 millimetres, resulting in more rear knee room. Rear passengers also enjoy more head room. A three-seat rear bench is standard for UK models, and when its backrest is fully stowed the luggage compartment capacity expands from 535 litres to a generous 1,390 litres.
In common with the A8 the communications hub of the new A7 Sportback is a new MMI touch response operating concept based around 10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower touchscreen displays which appear to blend into the dashboard when switched off. The two large, high resolution touch displays replace the rotary controller and satellite button system used by the previous model. They provide haptic and acoustic feedback as confirmation when a fingertip triggers a function.
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 to include features such as the traffic sign and hazard information Car-to-X services, which utilise the swarm intelligence of the Audi fleet.
By activating the parking pilot and garage pilot, which will be introduced in stages from 2018, the driver can manoeuvre the A7 Sportback autonomously into and out of a parking space or garage without having to sit in the car. This is performed by launching the function via the myAudi app on their smartphone.
These functions are just two of a total of 39 driver assistance systems the A7 Sportback will offer to make daily use easier for the driver. They are split into three packages: Parking (gradual introduction beginning in 2018), City Assist (with the new Cross Traffic Assist Front feature) and Tour.
Technology features common to both levels will include the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, the Audi Smartphone Interface and the Audi Phone Box with wireless charging for QI-enabled compatible phones. The list of electronic driver assistants will also feature the Audi Parking System Plus with rear-view camera, the Audi Pre-sense Front collision warning and automatic braking system and the Lane Departure Warning system.
S line specification features 20-inch alloy wheels, HD Matrix LED headlights with dynamic front and rear indicators and coming/leaving home animations, sport suspension lowering the body by ten millimetres, and S line-specific body styling.
Another core component of the standard technology package benefiting all A7 Sportback models is the new mild hybrid drivetrain (MHEV) made possible by the newly introduced 48-volt primary electrical system.
At speeds of between 34 and 99mph, it enables the V6 engines to be deactivated and the A7 Sportback to coast in freewheeling mode. The Belt Alternator Starter (BAS) re-fires the engine smoothly and comfortably after coasting, and is capable of channelling up to 12kW of energy back into the lithium ion battery during recuperative braking.
The start-stop function has also been significantly expanded and now activates at 13mph. In combination with the standard front camera, the engine is restarted predictively while at a standstill as soon as the vehicle ahead begins to move. In real-world driving, the MHEV technology reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres.
The two engines work with a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission (55 TFSI) and an eight-speed tiptronic (50 TDI), and their outputs are managed by the latest iterations of the quattro drivetrain.
The drivetrain with its equally weighted comfort, efficiency and performance focus is complemented by a platform developed according to the same philosophy. The new electronic chassis program (ECP) – the central controller for the chassis – and the four suspension options including updated adaptive air suspension are designed to make the car feel supple and luxurious during cruising without curbing its ability to iron out more challenging roads.
Progressive steering with a ratio that becomes more direct as lock is applied is standard, and has been reworked with a focus on providing more detailed road surface feedback.
Dynamic all-wheel-steering is also available from the options list, as is the quattro sport differential which actively distributes drive torque between the rear wheels for maximum cornering adjustability.
The various options are all integrated into the control function of the electronic chassis platform (ECP). The driver can use the Audi drive select system to activate different drive profiles in which the differentiation between comfort and dynamic options is more pronounced than in the previous model.
Audi A7 Sportback UK pricing
Model | Engine | Power | Transmission | Recommended OTR |
A7 Sportback 50 TDI quattro Sport | 3.0 TDI V6 diesel |
282 bhp | 8-speed tiptronic | £54,940 |
A7 Sportback 55 TFSI quattro Sport | 3.0 TFSI V6 petrol |
335 bhp | 7-speed S tronic | £55,140 |
A7 Sportback 50 TDI quattro S line | 3.0 TDI V6 diesel |
282 bhp | 8-speed tiptronic | £57,840 |
A7 Sportback 55 TFSI quattro S line | 3.0 TFSI V6 petrol |
335 bhp | 7-speed S tronic | £58,040 |