A Versatile Lifestyle Vehicle

The Audi A7 Sportback is a new model with generous dimensions: 4.9 meters in length and 1.9 meters in width. What's noteworthy is its fastback style with a tailgate, rather than a conventional sedan. The large tailgate, capable of accommodating long items, suggests a versatile lifestyle vehicle designed for a variety of uses. It is scheduled for release in Japan in 2011.

"The A7 Sportback is a car that fuses the emotional character of a coupe, the comfort and prestige of a sedan, and the practicality of a station wagon," says Nils Anton, who served as product manager.

A Coupe-like Body with Extensive Use of Aluminum Parts

The A7 Sportback shares some modular parts with the recently redesigned new A8 in its home market. Dimensionally, it fills the gap between the A8 and A6. The fastback design features a sloping rear profile reminiscent of a coupe, combined with a large, station wagon-like tailgate. Similar designs have been seen in Japan with the Toyota Corona Liftback in the 1980s, and although not released in Japan, the third-generation Nissan Primera also adopted this style. It's a particularly popular styling in the UK.

The stage for the A7 Sportback test drive was the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean. In Costa Smeralda, a renowned resort area, journalists invited from around the world were introduced to the "essence" of the A7 Sportback.

"It features a lightweight body with extensive use of aluminum parts, a powerful yet highly efficient V6 engine, a sporty chassis, and advanced driver assistance and multimedia systems," stated Anton. The location was a specially constructed venue set up in front of the airport. Journalists arrived at Olbia Airport via a charter flight from Munich and were immediately guided to the test drive event with their luggage in hand.

Introduction of the Quattro Model with a 3.0-liter TFSI Engine

In its home market, the A7 Sportback is offered with three engine options: a 2.8-liter or 3-liter direct-injection gasoline engine, and a 3-liter direct-injection diesel. Drivetrain options include front-wheel drive or the quattro all-wheel-drive system. The transmission varies: the 2.8-liter gasoline and diesel front-wheel-drive models are equipped with the continuously variable "multitronic," while the 3-liter gasoline and all quattro models are paired with the dual-clutch 7-speed S tronic.

The model to be imported to Japan is the quattro version, powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine with a supercharger, the 3.0 TFSI. There's also a possibility of an S-Line version, handled by quattro GmbH. The S-Line is characterized by a sportier profile, including a dedicated sports suspension that lowers the vehicle by 20mm compared to the standard model.

The 3.0 TFSI V6 is notable for its ability to achieve power through forced induction without unnecessarily increasing displacement, while also incorporating detailed refinements to suppress combustion losses. Its maximum output of 300 ps and peak torque of 440 Nm are more than sufficient, a testament to its high efficiency.

Stable Driving with Precise Torque Control

A notable feature of the A7 quattro is its adoption of the new generation quattro drive system. Similar to the RS5 recently released in Japan, it incorporates a newly designed center differential. This system ensures driving stability by distributing torque to the axle with grip when either the front or rear wheels lose traction. Typically, torque is split 40% to the front axle and 60% to the rear axle, but depending on slip conditions, up to 70% can be sent to the front or up to 85% to the rear.

Furthermore, the A7 quattro employs a system called "torque vectoring." For instance, during cornering, if it detects increased slip on the inner wheel, the vehicle automatically applies light braking. This increases torque distribution to the outer wheel, enabling the car to navigate corners smoothly.

Another system available as an option for the A7 quattro is the "sport differential." This device is designed for high-speed cornering. By appropriately distributing torque to the outer rear wheel during a turn, it achieves neutral steering characteristics.

The standard equipment also includes the "Audi drive select" system, familiar to those who drive recentAudimodels. In the four modes – "Comfort," "Dynamic," "Auto," and "Individual" – the transmission, power steering, and engine control can be selected according to the desired characteristics. The amount of power assistance for the steering wheel, shift points, and accelerator pedal response all change. Consequently, selecting "Dynamic" mode, in particular, will reveal a surprisingly transformed character of the car.

The Coexistence of Sportiness and Comfort

The interior is luxurious, with a dashboard designed around a new theme that is particularly eye-catching. While the A7 Sportback boasts numerous mechanical features, its interior luxury and comfort are also noteworthy. Thanks to a wheelbase of 2,914mm, longer than the A6, rear legroom is ample, and the trunk space is vast and long. Comfort and practicality are harmoniously balanced.

"The theme for the A7 Sportback was to achieve both sportiness and comfort," says product manager N. Anton. Indeed, during the drive, the high level of comfort was striking. The test vehicle was equipped with optional 20-inch wheels, yet it was remarkable how the tires did not feel harsh or unsettled. The rear end felt particularly composed, and the rear seats were comfortable, likely due to its positioning as a grand tourer below the A8. It was a very pleasing experience.

The 3-liter V6, paired with a responsive supercharger, runs smoothly. It delivers strong performance from low RPMs, and from 2000 rpm, it utilizes its substantial torque band to provide agile movement, making the large body feel surprisingly light. Acceleration is brisk, and it offers a comfortable cruise at high speeds.

Refined Driving Dynamics

The A7 Sportback's agility is surely influenced by the excellent body control felt when turning the steering wheel. With a lighter front end, its turn-in response is improved, reacting swiftly to accelerator input, and cornering is a pleasure.

For those who enjoy spirited driving, the "Dynamic" mode is ideal. The dampers stiffen, the electric power steering becomes sharper, and engine response significantly improves. Sardinia, the setting for the test drive, is a mountainous island. While there are no towering peaks, winding roads snake between the hills. This makes it a suitable environment to enjoy the A7 Sportback. Despite its 1.9-meter width, the sharp handling makes it surprisingly maneuverable even on narrow roads, and there's no need for white-knuckle moments when encountering oncoming traffic.

From the new A8, to the A7 Sportback, and the new A6 expected to debut in its home market next year, Audiis in a continuous process of evolution. Its refined driving dynamics stand out exceptionally.

Audi A7 Sportback
Body: Length 4,969 x Width 1,911 x Height 1,420mm
Engine: 3.0L V6 DOHC
Max Output: 220kW [300ps] / 5,250-6,500rpm
Max Torque: 440Nm / 2,900-4,500rpm
CO2 Emissions: 139g/km
Fuel Consumption: 5.3ℓ/100km
Drivetrain: Full-time All-Wheel Drive
Transmission: 7-speed S tronic
Price: Price in Japan not yet determined
(Note: Specifications are for the home market)

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