FIRST there was the Audi A5 Sportback; and now Audi is taking that coupe-style hatchback formula to the larger executive car market with an all-new Audi A7 Sportback.
The Audi A7 promises executive car luxury with a sporty driving style and hatchback practicality
It also promises low running costs, with a 3.0-litre diesel engine that provides economy of 53.3mpg, while delivering 204PS power. For company car drivers, that’s a CO2 emission level of 139g/km – equivalent to a company car tax band of 19% for the current 2010/11 tax year.
The new Audi A7 goes on sale in January 2011, priced from £42,925.
Audi says its new A7 model is a completely new car, even though in terms of size the new A7 Sportback stands almost toe to toe with the current A6 Saloon, but its part aluminium construction makes it 15% lighter. The new Audi A7 measures 4.97 metres in length (A6 4.93m), 1.91 metres wide (A6 1.86m) and 1.42 metres high (A6 1.46m).
The new Audi A7 will be offered in both SE and sportier S line configurations.
Standard specification will include xenon headlamps with LED tail lamps, powered tailgate operation, leather upholstery, electric seat adjustment and heating, cruise and parking controls, satellite navigation, the Audi Music Interface (AMI), DAB digital radio and Bluetooth phone preparation.
There will be a choice of two petrol engines – a 2.8 FSI with 204PS/280Nm and 3.0 TFSI with 300PS/440Nm. However, of more interest to business car drivers will be the two TDI diesels – a 3.0 TDI with 204PS/400Nm and a 3.0 TDI with 245PS/500Nm.
All will feature stop/start and energy recuperation features to improve fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.
New range of optional technology boosts appeal
New optional technology can help improve economy further. When the standard satellite navigation system is upgraded to MMI navigation plus, the detailed route data can be used to factor corners into the automatic transmission’s shift strategy and avoid unnecessary, fuel-sapping gear changes.
The optional adaptive cruise control and adaptive light swivelling cornering light systems are also influenced by feedback from the navigation unit. This technology was first seen on the luxury Audi A8.
For the first time Audi is debuting an optional ‘head-up’ display system. This projects key information, including economy and speed data and navigation routing onto the windscreen so that it appears to float at a distance of around 2.5 metres ahead of the driver.
Full pricing for the new Audi A7 will be announced later.
UK orders start on August 16 priced from £42,925 OTR (£43,745 OTR at forthcoming 20% VAT rate from January 2011).
Deliveries will start early in 2011.
Further information
For additional pictures and commentary on the Audi A7, read the Editor’s Blog The new-style executive: Audi’s A7.
