Audi A7 Sportback defines luxury motoring with smaller car running costs (From Hereford Times)

Audi A7 Sportback defines luxury motoring with smaller car running costs

7:00am Saturday 15th October 2011 in Road Tests

IF you are buying a car to get noticed you need look no further than the Audi A7 Sportback. Not only is it practical but beneath the stunning-looking exterior it is a sensible ownership proposition.

While possessing all the glamour associated with executive motoring, the A7 also represents a new prestige sector and a technology benchmark for the German company.

It is bound to appeal to a wide audience because it is so versatile being a five-door, four-seat hatch with saloon prestige, coupe elegance and a boot big and long enough to provide estate car functionality.

Because production is limited it is sought-after all the more with fleet buyers taking a slightly bigger share of the market and making the diesel engine their favourite choice.

The unit line-up includes two petrol, a 2.8FSi with 204PS, and a 3.0-litre TFSi with 300PS and two 3.0-litre diesels offering 204PS and 245PS.

Best on fuel is the non-quattro diesel which returns a rather exceptional 53.3mpg during everyday driving and a CO2 emissions figure of just 139 (g/km) due not only to the efficiency of the motor but the sheer lightness of the car.

It has a new aluminium chassis, which also underpins the new A6, and aluminium panels that make up a significant proportion of the car’s body. In fact, the body incorporates 20 per cent aluminium content and is about 15 per cent lighter than its all-steel equivalent.

The car simply oozes technology and refinement so that is it no surprise that prices go from £43,755 to £49,860. There is also a wide range of options that will simply delight tech lovers but could add considerably to the cost of the car.

On the road the 245bhp V6 3.0-litre quattro is taut and agile with tenacious grip even on wet and greasy roads.

The quick-thinking quattro system, tweaked and improved for the A7, coupled with numerous electronic safe-driving aids, adjusts the balance of power to the front and rear wheels to obtain maximum traction so that you feel safe and sure when you are greatly extending the pace of the car. The new steering is also a success, serving up some of the best feel of any Audi.

There is no doubt that there is great flexibility and performance from this engine though at low speed it doesn’t sparkle until the power really starts to come in at higher revs and then it’s a joy to drive.

With fast changes from the excellent seven-speed S-tronic twin-clutch sports transmission and the advantage of paddle shifts it certainly rewards the keen driver and it’s also outstanding as a high-speed cruiser. In fact, at times it can be difficult to consider the A7 as a performance car because is drives so easily and smoothly.

Drivers with economy in mind and a need for long-distance comfort will love the A7.

All the four units combine innovative Audi thermal management, energy recuperation during coasting and braking and the now familiar stop/start system that works a treat while saving on fuel.

The cabin of the A7 is beautifully crafted with soft leather upholstery and is as swish and roomy as you would expect. It’s the best in the business and while the cabin borrows from the A8, it has a more driver-related feel.

Rear leg and shoulder room is plentiful though headroom is slightly compromised for tall adults. The hub of the sumptuous interior is undoubtedly the multi-media interface system which is backed by a wealth of technology.

The core equipment list is also common to the two specifications, SE and S-Line. It is impressive and long while there are many options, including high-quality sound systems, four-zone automatic climate control, Google earth with full internet connection and a head-up display that projects driving-related information directly on the driver’s field of vision.

AT-A-GLANCE

Audi A7 Sportback SE 3.0-litre TDi Quattro 245PS.

Price: £48,000 (on the road).

Top speed: 155mph.

0-62mph: 6.3 seconds.

Fuel: 47.1mpg (combined figure).

C02 emissions (g/km): 158.

Verdict: Great looks, superb build quality, excellent cabin, luxury motoring at smaller-car running costs.