Audi does it again with the A7 Sportback

The moment I saw the A7 Sportback I guessed how the makers came up with its name. I think what happened is this: a few guys in a conference room in Audi's headquarters looked at the car - a sportier version of an A8 with a different looking rear - and said, "Let's call it the A7 Sportback".

And they were right: One thing the car clearly spells is sport, particularly when viewed from the rear. The large coupé profile looks fresh and inspiring.

I've always felt Audi could add a bit of R8-like aggression to its rather sober-looking sedans that are great to drive. The wheel arches and the side profile give the car an impressive and commanding appearance. I couldn't help thinking about the slight resemblance it shares with the Maserati Gran Turismo.

Stepping inside, I was greeted by familiar Audi terrain except it looked a lot more seductive - like the interior of the new A8L.

The red lighting, which the regular Audis had a lot of on the dashboard, has been toned down slightly in the A7. The layout has been simplified with a focus on functionality over sophistication in terms of looks. The leather and wood trim feel rich to the touch and there was really nothing that fell short in terms of build quality. A Bose system complete with iPod connectivity delivers good-quality sound, though it was a tad sharp for my taste.

The navigation system makes use of the touch-sensitive alphanumeric character recognition pad near the gear lever, which you can use to write on, using your finger to input destination names. The touch pad doubles as a radio station selector.

The seats are luxurious and comfortable with more than enough adjustments to suit most body types. 

It's touch and go

The 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine powers up with a touch of a button on the dash. The multimedia display screen slides out and positions itself for easy visibility. Ride quality can be selected using the multimedia interface and I decided to use the ‘Dynamic mode' for most parts of the test drive.

Acceleration on the A7 is quick and smooth, and the traction offered by the permanent all-wheel drive Quattro system is great, with a slight hint of understeer. The engine is supercharged and produces 300 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque.

Gear shifts on the A7 are silent, smooth and quick. Fuel efficiency was something I couldn't help but notice and the A7 is proof that a car does not have to be a gas guzzler to offer luxury and power at the same time. 

One cool customer

In the city, besides turning a few heads every now and then, the A7 handled traffic with grace.

Even though it was sizzling outside, the air conditioning worked efficiently, cooling the car in seconds.

For a car with a corporate attitude to luxury, there was nothing I found that was worth complaining about. It may not have the aggressive response and handling like an Audi RS6, but the A7 delivers what it needs to for a sporty-looking car in this segment. The long hatch boot is a nice touch and offers more flexibility over a sedan to carry luggage. It doubles as a grocery shopping car as well.

Highway driving is the A7 Sportback's forte and I (and the family who hopped in for a long drive) found the car comfortable. Back seat passengers loved the legroom and wide armrests. Overtaking and maintaining highway speeds is a breeze for the A7 and the suspension ensures you enjoy the drive without fatigue.

The brakes are powerful and when applied suddenly bring the car to a halt quickly and smoothly.

I enjoyed the few days I had with the A7 and found the car does take a bit of rough easily and efficiently. There were a couple of instances when I had to make my way out of cramped parking lots through a patch of soft road and sand, and found the A7 handled it well.

Starting at Dh263,000 I'd say the A7 is reasonably priced. It offers comfort and luxury with acceleration that would satisfy most people.

It's also got character and style - now who wouldn't want that?

Philip Shane is a Dubai-based motoring freelancer