2012 Audi A7 Review By Autoweek.com

Car Reviews :Audi A7
What is it?

An all-new entry to Audi's lineup, the 2012 A7 follows the pattern set by the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Porsche Panamera and the BMW 5-series Gran Turismo. It's a four-door, but with its swooping roofline and hatchback rear end, its shape resembles a coupe more than sedan.

The A7 sits on a stretched A6 chassis, with a wheelbase that splits the difference between it and the larger A8. And, it comes chock-full of all of the technical and luxury goodies we've come to expect from the German company: safety systems such as lane-departure warning and night vision; sophisticated controls such as an enhanced MMI system that now includes a laptop-style touchpad, Internet connectivity and Google Earth mapping, and a sensory-pleasing interior with a bentwood furniture-like trim treatment using layered wood veneers.

Its face is unmistakably Audi, too, with the familial two-tiered grille and LED lights rimming the headlamps. Overall, we love the styling of the A7 and put it just a notch behind the gorgeous Mercedes in the battle for most beautiful of the bunch.


Car Reviews :Audi A7

What's it like to drive?

U.S.-specification vehicles will come equipped with the familiar 3.0-liter supercharged TFSI V6 engine, pushing out 300 hp to all four corners via Audi's signature quattro all-wheel-drive system. We found the power easy to get to, and the surge during passing maneuvers is more than satisfying. Ride and handling feel very similar to the A6, taut and responsive, with communicative and nicely weighted steering.

We did find a bit of tire thump made its way into the otherwise serene and isolated passenger compartment, particularly from the rear (our test car rode on optional 20-inch rubber), but we chalk that up to the hatchback design. However, the utility offered by the large cargo hold--almost 50 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat--more than makes up for the minor noise intrusion.

The final word on the A7's performance will have to wait until we can try out the eight-speed Multitronic automatic; the test vehicles provided by Audi came solely with the seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch boxes, and ultimate feel and performance may differ a bit. We expect a 0-to-60-mph time of about 6.0 seconds.

Do I want it?

If you love the look of this new breed of not-quite-coupe sedans, could use the extra utility offered by a hatchback, enjoy the supercharged performance of Audi's direct-injection engines and get geeky over the thought of 3D Google Earth mapping pointing you in the right direction--but only have need for four seats--then the Audi A7 deserves a look.

Need more incentive? The A7 also features an autostop function, shutting the engine off and saving fuel at stoplights. Of course, all that beauty and tech doesn't come cheaply. Look for the A7 to carry a sticker of close to $60,000 when the cars start showing up in dealerships sometime next spring.

2012 Audi A7

On Sale: Second-quarter 2011

Base Price: $59,900 (est)

Drivetrain: 3.0-liter, 300-hp, 325-lb-ft supercharged V6; AWD, eight-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 4,500 lb (est)

0-60 MPH: 6.0 sec (AW est)

Fuel Economy (EPA): 21 mpg (est).


Car Reviews : Audi A7

Original Article

2012 Audi A7 Review By Autoweek.com

Car Reviews :Audi A7
What is it?

An all-new entry to Audi's lineup, the 2012 A7 follows the pattern set by the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Porsche Panamera and the BMW 5-series Gran Turismo. It's a four-door, but with its swooping roofline and hatchback rear end, its shape resembles a coupe more than sedan.

The A7 sits on a stretched A6 chassis, with a wheelbase that splits the difference between it and the larger A8. And, it comes chock-full of all of the technical and luxury goodies we've come to expect from the German company: safety systems such as lane-departure warning and night vision; sophisticated controls such as an enhanced MMI system that now includes a laptop-style touchpad, Internet connectivity and Google Earth mapping, and a sensory-pleasing interior with a bentwood furniture-like trim treatment using layered wood veneers.

Its face is unmistakably Audi, too, with the familial two-tiered grille and LED lights rimming the headlamps. Overall, we love the styling of the A7 and put it just a notch behind the gorgeous Mercedes in the battle for most beautiful of the bunch.


Car Reviews :Audi A7

What's it like to drive?

U.S.-specification vehicles will come equipped with the familiar 3.0-liter supercharged TFSI V6 engine, pushing out 300 hp to all four corners via Audi's signature quattro all-wheel-drive system. We found the power easy to get to, and the surge during passing maneuvers is more than satisfying. Ride and handling feel very similar to the A6, taut and responsive, with communicative and nicely weighted steering.

We did find a bit of tire thump made its way into the otherwise serene and isolated passenger compartment, particularly from the rear (our test car rode on optional 20-inch rubber), but we chalk that up to the hatchback design. However, the utility offered by the large cargo hold--almost 50 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat--more than makes up for the minor noise intrusion.

The final word on the A7's performance will have to wait until we can try out the eight-speed Multitronic automatic; the test vehicles provided by Audi came solely with the seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch boxes, and ultimate feel and performance may differ a bit. We expect a 0-to-60-mph time of about 6.0 seconds.

Do I want it?

If you love the look of this new breed of not-quite-coupe sedans, could use the extra utility offered by a hatchback, enjoy the supercharged performance of Audi's direct-injection engines and get geeky over the thought of 3D Google Earth mapping pointing you in the right direction--but only have need for four seats--then the Audi A7 deserves a look.

Need more incentive? The A7 also features an autostop function, shutting the engine off and saving fuel at stoplights. Of course, all that beauty and tech doesn't come cheaply. Look for the A7 to carry a sticker of close to $60,000 when the cars start showing up in dealerships sometime next spring.

2012 Audi A7

On Sale: Second-quarter 2011

Base Price: $59,900 (est)

Drivetrain: 3.0-liter, 300-hp, 325-lb-ft supercharged V6; AWD, eight-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 4,500 lb (est)

0-60 MPH: 6.0 sec (AW est)

Fuel Economy (EPA): 21 mpg (est).


Car Reviews : Audi A7

Original Article

Audi A7 Sportback Wallpaper

Audi A7 Sportback Wallpaper

Audi A7 Sportback Wallpaper

Audi A7 Sportback Wallpaper





Ingolstadt based Audi has introduce another Sportback into their range of cars in the form of the A7 Sportback. According to Audi, Sportback Concept brings together the best of three worlds:"the sporty elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon." In reality, the A7 Sportback is a shaper looking version of the next A6 with a lower roofline, a more practical rear hatch and seating for four.

The car's exterior and interior design has remained largely untouched over the 2009 Detroit show car with most changes concerning practical details such as the larger head- and tail lamps and the shape and size of the exterior mirrors, along with the less fancy trim inside. And oh, it also gets a neat retractable rear spoiler similar to the one found on the Porsche Panamera.

The five-door coupe, which is positioned between the A6 and A8, is 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) long and 1.91 meters (6.27 ft) wide, but only 1.42 meters (4.66 ft) high. The rear hatch reveals a luggage compartment with a capacity of 535-liters (18.89 cu ft) that can swell to a volume of 1,390 liters (49.09 cu ft) with the split rear seat backrests folded down.

Under the sheetmetal, the A7 Sportback rides on a modified architecture of the next A6, which is due in both sedan and Avant (Audi talk for Station Wagon) forms in 2011.

Audi will initially offer the A7 Sportback with a choice of two gasoline and two turbo diesel V6 engines, all featuring direct injection, an energy recuperation system and stop & start technology.

The petrol range comprises of the 2.8 FSI and 3.0 TFSI models, both of which are paired with a dual clutch S-Tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.

The naturally-aspirated 2.8-liter unit produces 204HP and 280 Nm (206.52 lb-ft) of torque at 5,250 rpm propelling the A7 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 8.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 235 km/h (146mph). It consumes 8.0lt / 100 km (29.4 US mpg) on average, which corresponds to 187g/km of CO2 (300.95 g/mile).

The supercharged 3.0-liter V6 unit delivers 300 hp) between 5,250 and 6,500 rpm, and delivers 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque between 2,900 and 4,500 rpm. The standard sprint takes 5.6 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), while fuel consumption is 8.2 lt/100km (28.7 US mpg), corresponding to 190 g/km of CO2 (305.8 g/mile).

In the diesel front, Audi offers two versions of the 3.0-liter V6 TDI. The more powerful variant produces 245HP between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm and 500Nm (368.78 lb-ft) of torque between 1,400 and 3,250 rpm, and comes with the S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive as standard.

The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 6.5 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), while average fuel consumption is rated at 6.0lt/100km (39.2 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 158 g/km (254.3 g/mile).

The basic version of the 3.0-liter TDI churns out 204HP between 3,750 and 4,500 rpm and will be available only with front-wheel drive and a multitronic automatic transmission. With this engine, the A7 Sportback accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 234 km/h (145 mph), while consuming 5.3 liters of diesel per 100 km (44.4 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 139g/km (223.70 g/mile).

Though Audi didn't say it officially, expect to see performance-oriented S7 and RS7 variants, as well as a hybrid model being added to the lineup within the next year or so.

Audi A7 Sportback Wallpaper

Audi A7 Sportback Wallpaper

Audi A7 Sportback Wallpaper

Audi A7 Sportback Wallpaper





Ingolstadt based Audi has introduce another Sportback into their range of cars in the form of the A7 Sportback. According to Audi, Sportback Concept brings together the best of three worlds:"the sporty elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon." In reality, the A7 Sportback is a shaper looking version of the next A6 with a lower roofline, a more practical rear hatch and seating for four.

The car's exterior and interior design has remained largely untouched over the 2009 Detroit show car with most changes concerning practical details such as the larger head- and tail lamps and the shape and size of the exterior mirrors, along with the less fancy trim inside. And oh, it also gets a neat retractable rear spoiler similar to the one found on the Porsche Panamera.

The five-door coupe, which is positioned between the A6 and A8, is 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) long and 1.91 meters (6.27 ft) wide, but only 1.42 meters (4.66 ft) high. The rear hatch reveals a luggage compartment with a capacity of 535-liters (18.89 cu ft) that can swell to a volume of 1,390 liters (49.09 cu ft) with the split rear seat backrests folded down.

Under the sheetmetal, the A7 Sportback rides on a modified architecture of the next A6, which is due in both sedan and Avant (Audi talk for Station Wagon) forms in 2011.

Audi will initially offer the A7 Sportback with a choice of two gasoline and two turbo diesel V6 engines, all featuring direct injection, an energy recuperation system and stop & start technology.

The petrol range comprises of the 2.8 FSI and 3.0 TFSI models, both of which are paired with a dual clutch S-Tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.

The naturally-aspirated 2.8-liter unit produces 204HP and 280 Nm (206.52 lb-ft) of torque at 5,250 rpm propelling the A7 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 8.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 235 km/h (146mph). It consumes 8.0lt / 100 km (29.4 US mpg) on average, which corresponds to 187g/km of CO2 (300.95 g/mile).

The supercharged 3.0-liter V6 unit delivers 300 hp) between 5,250 and 6,500 rpm, and delivers 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque between 2,900 and 4,500 rpm. The standard sprint takes 5.6 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), while fuel consumption is 8.2 lt/100km (28.7 US mpg), corresponding to 190 g/km of CO2 (305.8 g/mile).

In the diesel front, Audi offers two versions of the 3.0-liter V6 TDI. The more powerful variant produces 245HP between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm and 500Nm (368.78 lb-ft) of torque between 1,400 and 3,250 rpm, and comes with the S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive as standard.

The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 6.5 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), while average fuel consumption is rated at 6.0lt/100km (39.2 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 158 g/km (254.3 g/mile).

The basic version of the 3.0-liter TDI churns out 204HP between 3,750 and 4,500 rpm and will be available only with front-wheel drive and a multitronic automatic transmission. With this engine, the A7 Sportback accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 234 km/h (145 mph), while consuming 5.3 liters of diesel per 100 km (44.4 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 139g/km (223.70 g/mile).

Though Audi didn't say it officially, expect to see performance-oriented S7 and RS7 variants, as well as a hybrid model being added to the lineup within the next year or so.