When it comes to filling niches, no one does it better than Audi. From hatchbacks and crossovers to large saloons and SUVs, Ingolstadt has it all under control. With models covering every digit and even an A9 rumoured, it's just a matter of time before Audi hits the perfect ten with its cars alone. That's without counting the S and the RS variants. The German carmaker even created its own niche when it launched the A5 Sportback in 2009. While customers were happy to choose between an A4 and an A6, Audi went one step further and offered them one in between, and suddenly there was a ‘need' for this peculiar segment.
That's what's been done with the A7 Sportback as well, although it's not in a segment of its own unlike the A5. Priced between the A6 and the A8, the A7 competes in a slot created by Mercedes-Benz when it unleashed its radical CLS ‘four-door coupé' at unsuspecting car lovers. When it went on to be a roaring success, other carmakers also wanted a share of this pie and started churning out these two-box saloons called sportbacks or fastbacks. Even Aston Martin and Bugatti happily jumped on the bandwagon. But the main rivals that Audi is gunning for with this model are the Merc CLS and Porsche's entry-level Panamera V6. And if you judge cars by their looks, the A7 has come up trumps already.
'7' is my lucky number
This is by far the best looking car in Audi's line-up asides from the R8. At 4,970mm long and 1,910mm wide, the A7 is a seriously big car. But unlike the flagship A8, it doesn't appear bulky, thanks mainly to the fact that it's only 1,420mm tall; 40mm shorter than an A8. The elegantly athletic stance is enhanced by the long flowing bonnet and the graceful swooping roofline that lead to sinuous C-pillars and a sharply cut-off Kamm tail. And like every other new Audi, the A7's bold faceis accentuated by the LED headlights.
Inside, what strikes you first is not the build quality, because that's a given, but it's the simplicity and uncomplicated layout of the cabin that impresses you most. Buttons are kept to a minimum unlike in the Panamera or the A8, while the dashboard features a wraparound design; a wavy horizontal line surrounds the driver and front passenger, creating a cockpit-like feeling. As usual, the materials used in there, including leather and wood, are of the highest quality and the way they've been put together is nothing less than impeccable. The indirect ambient lighting from the door panels and the centre console add drama to the interior at night. Overall, the A7's cabin is one of the best in class with ample space to accommodate five adults.
Under the bonnet is the 300bhp 3.0-litre TFSI, the same engine that powers the A6, S4 and the new Q7. Although Audi calls it ‘TFSI', this V6 unit is not turbocharged; it's supercharged with a Roots-type blower and is quiet, smooth and impressively responsive, especially in the low to middle rev ranges. It hits 100kph from standstill in 5.6 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. The A7 features a seven-speed S-tronic gearbox that affords quick shifts and sends power to all corners through the quattro permanent all-wheel drive transmission, which features a crown-gear centre differential and torque vectoring. But do all these contribute to a sporty, dynamic driving experience?
Although it's one of the sportiest looking saloons in its class, with a comfortable ride, a well-insulated cabin and a muted exhaust note, this car is evidently biased more towards luxury than sportiness. Don't get me wrong, the A7 is fun, but it's not as focused as the BMW 5 Series or the Porsche Panamera. You'll sling it around a tight corner, come out of it all right thanks to its seemingly limitless traction, and that's it. Would you want to make the effort of going back to the same corner again and again? Probably not.
The steering, which features an electromechanical drive, is light… a bit too light and artificial actually, especially at lower speeds, tightening up just about enough when you get going. But these are not things that will bother a typical buyer of the A7. As long as customers get a bigger, better looking car than the A6 for a lower price than the A8, without compromise on luxury and space, they'll happily take it. That's the kind of buyer Audi is aiming this car at.
Verdict
With worthy rivals like the Panamera V6 and the new, redesigned Merc CLS, it's not going to be a cakewalk for Audi. Some of its rivals are better to drive and most of them offer pretty much the same features and creature comforts. But none of these are as good-looking as the Audi A7. And design in a coupé-saloon segment is what sets this micro niche apart. Add to that the price tag starting from Dh263,000, and the new Audi A7 is a winner.
- Model A7 Sportback
- Engine 3.0-litre V6, force fed
- Transmission Seven-speed S-tronic, AWD
- Max power 300bhp @ 5,250rpm
- Max torque 440Nm @ 2,900rpm
- Top speed 250kph
- 0-100kph 5.6sec
- Price Dh263,000 (base)
- Plus Design, interior, space, better than an A8
- Minus Not as sporty as it looks, no Google support yet...
