Business Car Manager: Editor’s Blog
SO what do we think of this then? Audi’s all-new A7 Sportback. A grown-up hatchback for the executive car class.
It promises coupe-style class and driving; hatchback practicality; and executive car luxury. I rather like the look of it.
In many ways it’s trying to break the mould in the executive car class in the same way that Mercedes attempted with the swoopy Mercedes CLS model – a four-door coupe-style S-Class (but without the connotations of being a chauffeur car).
The difference of course – apart from the saloon v hatchback configuration – is the starting price: £48,400 (CLS) v £42,925 (A7).
The Audi A5 Sportback concept has taken a while to take off in the class below the new A7 – but it appears business buyers are getting the message now (see Richard Crosthwaite’s appraisal of prestige used cars A5 Sportback shakes off shaky start; Jag XF leads sector).
While the debate will inevitably be focused on the new A7’s appearance, there are lots of interesting new areas of technology that help reduce emissions and boost economy.
For example, I rather like this, which made its debut in the luxury A8: MMI navigation plus. Detailed route data from the sat nav can be used to factor corners into the automatic transmission’s shift strategy and avoid unnecessary, fuel-sapping gear changes.
Another option are energy efficient all-LED headlights. These units look incredibly distinctive, and incorporate special cornering, all-weather and motorway light configurations.
A further option is a GPRS module which can be fed with news and weather information from the web by internet service provider Google, and will make it possible for drivers to plot detailed routes on a home computer and download them to the navigation system when they start a trip.
An optional UMTS module will also enable Google Earth images to be beamed to the MMI monitor in 3D for navigation purposes, and through its wireless WLAN link will make full internet connection available to passengers using their own computers.
I know it’s something that BMW owners have benefited from for some time – but it’s about time Audi drivers can tap into this system. Those that have used it tell me it’s brilliant.
For more on the Audi A7, read our news story Audi’s all-new A7 Sportback.
