It’s been a while since we got a new-looking beauty from Ingolstadt and the internet has been ripping into the latest RS5 for being a ‘disappointment’ to say it nicely. The new top-of-the-line A8 limo does get a refreshed look but is fittingly restrained on the outside and keeps all the fun for those inside it. Now, Audi has unveiled the latest generation of the A7 Sportback and by the looks of it, we love it.
As is expected with the Sportback versions, the roofline slopes like a GT coupe and the design language follows that of the new A8. It’s sharp and taut, like a well-built athlete in a perfectly tailored suit. At the front is the singleframe grille with sporty-looking air inlets and the top-spec HD Matrix LED headlights make for a distinctly aggressive look. But the coolest bit of the new look is at its tapered rear-end where a flat light strip joins the rear lights that to some may resemble a lightsaber, from the dark side of the force.
Audi is being rather mum about what’s going to be offered under the hood. What we do know for now is that the new A7 Sportback is being launched with a 3.0-litre turbo V6 petrol engine paired with a 7-speed S-tronic gearbox to make 335bhp and 500Nm of twist. Other variants with four-cylinder units will follow soon. But there’s a lot more to this one than what can be seen on the surface.
Based on the same underpinnings as the new A8, this A7 shares a lot of its technovations as well. It’s got the same touchscreen cockpit with the 10.1-inch upper display and the 8.6-inch MMI screen (with optional voice control), both titled towards the driver. There’s also the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit for displaying all manner of data right behind the wheel. It’s even got some of that AI technology which will allow the A7 to drive itself in and out of a parking space without driver input. It will also be able to drive itself in traffic with level-three autonomy once the regulations allow it. There’s a host of driver assistance systems as well, 39 of them says Audi, including adaptive driving assistant (ADA) which works with the adapative cruise control (ACC) to provide helpful steering inputs to maintain the lane.
There’s more new tech from Audi in the A7 and it now features the optional all-wheel-steering. At low speed, the rear wheels will turn in the opposite direction at an angle of up to 5 degrees while turning in the same-direction in high-speed scenarios to increase stability. One can also opt for the self-leveling adaptive air suspension for the best ride quality on almost any road surface.
Audi has given a touch of electrification to the new A7 of course, as is the nature of the times, in the form of a 48-volt primary electrical system with its V6 engines for better efficiency. It’s a good effort from the four-rings, but it’s yet to be seen what their audience makes of the new luxury grand tourer. Share your thoughts in the comment section.
You can take a closer look at the Audi A7 Sportback in the gallery below:
The Auto Loons 