Audi A7 Sportback Overview
The Audi A7 Sportback is an Audi through and through. The 35th model in Audi’s UK lineup, it’s practical and stylish, and continues to challenge its biggest rivals, Mercedes and BMW.
The executive four-door coupe sector is, indeed, dominated by the powerful, prestigious German manufacturers, with the Audi A7 Sportback one of the last arrivals. But it’s here now, and represents an interesting and formidable challenge to the Mercedes CLS saloon and the BMW 5 Series GT hatchback. Let’s take a closer look at what the Sportback offers.
Audi A7 Sportback Test Drive
The large six-cylinder engines of the Audi A6 saloon are used for the Audi A7 Sportback to great effect, with the addition of a bi-turbo 3.0 BiTDI to whet appetites further and extend the range of choice. This engine offers 309bhp and can get to 62mph from rest in just 5.3 seconds. There is also the slightly slower option of a 3.0 TFSI unit, which comes with a quattro four-wheel drive, a 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox, and which can spring to 62mph in 5.6 seconds. Of course, that .3 discrepancy is nitpicking. But if you do want better numbers, then the Audi S7 Sportback is for you, which can rocket to 62mph in a trailblazing 4.7 seconds.
Base-level Audi A7 Sportbacks are front-wheel-drive, but for extra cash you have the option to upgrade to quattro all-wheel-drive should you want to. This a brand new quattro package that comes with 40:60 torque distribution that puts the onus on rear wheels, thereby creating a sportier feel. You also get the crown gear differential which distributes power to wherever it needs it most – front or back. Sleeker quattro’s also come with S Tronic transmissions.
Stylish and Practical Design of the Audi A7 Sportback
The hatchback market that the Audi A7 Sportback is competing in is a wide one, and for this reason it was imperative that the Audi A7 was stylish as well as practical – and particularly more stylish and more practical than the A6 saloon. It isn’t much bigger than the A6, whilst inside 4 adults can sit comfortably, but 5 would be pushing things. Once you’ve folded the rear back seats, there is a fairly generous boot size of 1,390 litres on offer.
Although hatchback’s will never be famed for prestigious looks, the good news is that the Audi A7 Sportback has retained the elegance and sportiness of the A5 Sportback, meaning that, thanks to a flowing roofline, it’s sleeker than a saloon and comes with fantastic aerodynamics. A curvaceous lip spoiler at the rear sees the tailgate end with a flourish.
Numbers and Figures on the Audi A7
The Audi A7 Sportback price range starts at £45,000, which makes Audi A7 Sportback deals around £5,000 more than last time around. Owing to the aerodynamics of the Audi A7 Sportback, running costs are lowered, whilst start/stop technology and brake energy recuperation ensure improved efficiency. This leads to a fuel economy of 54.4 mpg for the 3.0-litre TDI engine with 201bhp and emissions of 135g/km, figures that are also improved by a satellite navigation system that helps drivers to avoid gear changes when not needed. This system is optional.
The Audi A7 Sportback features include xenon headlamps, full leather trim, electric tailgates, cruise control and electric heated seats. Audi A7 Sportback S models benefit from an enhanced suspension system, as well as a greater choice of hard trim finishes.
Final Thoughts
Premium manufacturers, such as Mercedes and BMW, have certainly been investing in executive hatchback’s of late, and, despite being late to the party, the Audi A7 Sportback is no worse off for it. Indeed, the key to success in business is to arrive late and improve on what’s already been done. Whether you believe that an executive hatchback should even exist might come down to your personal discretion, but testing out the Audi A7 Sportback might go some way to eradicating certain prejudices.
If you want to get hold of the new Audi A7 Sportback don’t hesitate to leave us a message on our contact page, or give us a call on 01903 538835 to find out more about our Audi A7 Sportback lease deals..
