Audi A7 Sportback
Aesthetically athletic, emotion-packed design, sporty character and innovative technology: Audi enters a new market segment with the A7 Sportback. The large five-door model with the dynamically flowing rear end unites the strengths of a coupe, a sedan and a station wagon. Early this year, a panel of experts commissioned by the magazine Auto Bild called the five-door coupe the pinnacle of design.
Body and interior
Measuring 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) in length, the five-door model is an Audi in a new top form. Its low, dynamically drawn roof line lends it the character of a coupe. Optional LED headlights accentuate its appearance, while LED tail lights are standard.
The five-door coupe combines supreme long-distance comfort with a sporty character. The excellent vibration behavior is the result of painstakingly tuning all components, systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings, and the extremely stiff body. Made largely of aluminum and high-tech steels according to the ultra-lightweight construction concept, it is extremely lightweight and very safe. The long rear hatch opens to reveal a large luggage compartment.
Every detail of the elegant interior of the A7 Sportback documents the care with which Audi builds cars. High-quality new materials, such as Beaufort oak layered wood veneer, indulge the senses. Options available for the front seat include ventilation and massage features.
The MMI operating system comes standard; among the optional equipment is a head-up display. The optional MMI navigation plus operating system combines a hard drive navigation system with the convenience of touchpad input.
2011 Audi A7 Sportback
Drive
Audi offers the A7 Sportback with a choice of five powerful and cultivated V6 engines: two gasoline and three TDI units. They develop between 150 kW (177 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp) and are impressively efficient. The new 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) consumes an average of just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 US mpg). All engines feature a recuperation system, innovative thermal management and a start-stop system.
Engine lineup:
- 2.8 FSI and 2.8 FSI quattro with 150 kW (204 hp)
- 3.0 TFSI quattro with 220 kW (300 hp)
- 3.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI quattro with 150 kW (204 hp)
- 3.0 TDI quattro with 180 kW (245 hp)
- 3.0 TDI quattro with 230 kW (313 hp)
The standard automatic transmissions also play a role in the efficiency of the Audi A7 Sportback. The user-friendly multitronic for the 2.8 FSI and 3.0 TDI, both of which produce 150 kW (204 hp), delivers the engine power to the front wheels. The sporty seven-speed S tronic delivers the power to all four wheels. The top TDI, a twin-turbo V6, is paired with an eight-speed tiptronic.
The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system features a self-locking, crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring for superior traction, stability and dynamics. It can be complemented with the optional sport differential for the rear axle.
Chassis
The chassis, too, combines sporty precision with luxurious comfort. The Audi A7 Sportback rolls on large wheels measuring from 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The links are made of aluminum; the newly developed power steering features an electromechanical drive. The Audi drive select dynamics system is standard and can be supplemented by the optional adaptive air suspension. Front-wheel drive models have ESP with electronic limited slip differential on board. Dynamic steering will be available somewhat later.
Equipment
The top navigation system, MMI navigation plus, works closely together with the many optional driver assistance and safety systems in the A7 Sportback. It provides the route data to the control units for the headlights, the automatic transmission and the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function.
The Audi pre sense safety system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences in many cases. The new Audi active lane assist helps the driver to keep the A7 Sportback firmly on course, and the park assist system – also new – relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking. The night vision assistant with highlighting of detected pedestrians reduces the stress of driving in the dark.
Audi connect provides the passengers of the five-door coupe with full Internet access via the Bluetooth online car phone. A UMTS module pulls images and information from Google Earth onto the monitor and integrates them into the navigation route. A WLAN hotspot connects mobile devices such as an iPad. Voice-activated Google POI search and up-to-the-minute Audi online traffic information will soon round out the range of services offered. A highly attractive range of audio modules is also available, including the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen.
