JUDGING by the alphanumeric minefield that comprises Audi’s current model line-up, it’s fair to say that there aren’t many niches that the Ingolstadtbased firm hasn’t already filled. Normally, the consequence of trying to please all and sundry with niche offerings is a product that initially piques interest, but is ultimately flawed as a result of the design or packaging compromises borne of trying to be different. But Audi has a knack of bringing out niche models that often surpass the execution and appeal of its mainstream models – A3 Sportback or R8, anyone? – could the A7 Sportback be another niche-category winner? Audi’s intention with this particular model is to offer a sporty, yet stylish and practical, coupé-flavoured stop-gap between the solid, but rather conservative, new A6 and its technology-laden A8 flagship – something commodious enough to ferry businessmen, family and golf clubs, but agile and visually engaging enough for it to warrant attention from those seeking a degree of visual appeal and sportiness. Given the breadth of criteria it has to meet, such a creation has the potential to end up looking totally non-descript or a veritable hotchpotch of incongruous design cues. Initial impressions may have erred towards the former, but the A7 Sportback has a curiously beguiling nature.
In fact, the Audi A7 managed to garner more than a few doubletakes from bystanders during its time with CAR, which was surprising because, at a first glance, there’s not much to take in – it looks reassuringly solid, possesses all of the right familial traits, such as the single-frame grille and two-thirds sheet metal/ one-third glasshouse profile – but subtle, tasteful, details become apparent on close perusal of the Audi A7’s sheetmetal. Consider the way in which the relatively flat flanks crease and cascade into the nose in an almost Bentley Continental GT-esque way and the manner in which the gentle arch of the C-pillar meets the prominent shoulder line before flowing into a boat-tailed rump with a dramatic plunge down to the rear valance… Testers remarked that the A7 is not only a striking-looking car; it’s arguably also for more graceful than the similarly-packaged BMW 5 Series GT.
The maritime motif is echoed inside the cabin with a thin swathe of richly-veneered wood trim that crowns the facia. While Audi interiors are generally well-built, the A7 takes it a step further with one of the most tastefully executed wood/leather/soft-touch plastic combinations we’ve seen in some time. The facia is slightly angled towards the driver, imparting a sense of space that manages to be both cocooning and capacious. Occupying a niche between two of the highest-placed saloon models in the company’s line-up means that specification is generous, but customers can further tailor their charges with an expansive range of options including one of three money-saving specification packages. There’s ample shoulder and legroom in the rear, although six-plus footers may find their crowns caressing the headliner. Despite the A7’s curvaceous outline, there’s still a handy amount of luggage and utility space available – while the boot looks quite shallow, it managed to swallow 352 dm³ worth of our ISO load measuring blocks with the seatbacks in place, expanding to a useful 1 032 dm³ when folded flat.
Audi’s 3,0-litre V6 turbodiesel powerplant is a unit with which we’re quite familiar, and its application in the A7 is pretty much spot-on. Very little diesel chatter permeates the cabin. This 180 kW unit’s responsiveness and satisfying 500 N.m of low-end torque lend themselves well to the Audi Drive Select system that’s at the heart of the A7. Whether the system is holding onto the gears, tightening the already pleasantly weighted steering and firming up the dampers in dynamic mode or ironing out the road corrugations and soothing the driver in its comfort setting, the engine never seems fazed and happily switches between surging forward with a V6-flavoured snarl or effortlessly dispatching motorway miles in serene comfort.
Upper-echelon Audis tend to come in for criticism for their ride and handling qualities. There is often a tendency for larger models such as the A8 to exhibit a surprisingly choppy ride on broken surfaces and feel decidedly leaden when being hustled about. In this respect, the A7 is something of a quiet revelation – despite tipping the scales at more than 1 800 kg there’s a beguiling agility to the car that presents itself in quick changes of direction being met with minimal body-roll and plenty of grip from the Quattro all-wheel drive system. The usual upshot of such agility would usually be a tooth-chipping ride, but the A7 acquits itself impeccably on corrugated roads feeling substantial and planted, yet light on its feet. Much like the styling, it’s a combination of traits that is so effective that one could be forgiven for regarding such precision as the norm…
TEST SUMMARY
What Audi has created with the Audi A7 Sportback is probably one of its most appealingly-packaged offerings, not only in its own 4-door premium coupé segment, but possibly in the luxury saloon segment as a whole. If this car does present a problem, it’s possibly due to the conundrum that it presents to those in the market for the A6 or A8 – it’s undoubtedly more stylish than the former, dynamically superior to the latter and packaged in such a way that neither A6 nor A8 buyers would feel shortchanged. The A7 Sportback has managed to surprise quite a few members of the CAR test team. Take a look, you may very well be surprised as well…
