MOTORING NEWS - The Audi A7 Sportback, a spacious five-door coupé, is now even more powerful and attractive thanks to new engine configurations, new transmissions, new headlights, taillights and new infotainment systems.

 

The new model combines the emotional appeal and sportiness of a coupé with the comfort of a sedan and the functional benefits of an Avant.

 

Back when the A7 Sportback first debuted in 2010, Audi was already setting new standards in automotive design, embracing an athletic aesthetic and elegance in grand style.

 

Its long engine hood, sporty, flowing C-pillars and the sharply dropping rear end create a dynamic overall impression. The revised version of the five-door model, measuring 4,97m in length, now has additional striking and sporty features.

 

The most striking changes are to the singleframe grille, bumpers, tailpipes and headlights. LED technology is now standard and upon request, Matrix LED headlights are also available as an option. Combined with the Matrix LED headlights, dynamic turn signals are also installed at the front; they come standard at the rear.

 

The body of the new Audi A7 Sportback consists primarily of aluminium and hi-tech steel grades. It is extraordinarily lightweight and designed for maximum comfort in terms of noise. The cargo space under the long, electrically driven trunk lid has a base capacity of 535-litres. When the rear seat backs are folded down it increases to 1 390-litres.

 

The sporty style of the exterior is echoed in the car's interior. The dominant element is the horizontal line surrounding the driver and passenger. The dashboard gives an impression of lightness and elegance. The front seats can be optionally equipped with ventilation and massage functions. The MMI radio operating system comes standard and can be supplemented with a head-up display and night vision assist system.

 

Audi South Africa will be offering the new A7 Sportback with a choice of five powerful and highly efficient engines: two petrol and two diesel units with a power rating ranging from 200kW to 412kW. The entry engine to the range will be the 3,0 TDI quattro S tronic producing 200kW of power and 580Nm of torque. Claimed combined fuel consumption of this model is 5,2-litres per 100km with CO² emissions of 136g/km.

 

The 3,0 TDI bi-turbo engine, which delivers 235kW, works with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, whereas all other engine configurations in the range have a seven-speed S tronic transmission.

 

It produces an impressive torque figure of 650Nm and will take 5,2sec to go from 0 to 100km. Despite its power, it will sip just 6,1-litres per 100km of fuel and has an emissions figure of 162g/km.

 

The first of the petrol engines is the 4,0T FSI found in the S7 Sportback. It delivers an uprated 331kW of power and 550Nm of torque. Like its S6 sibling, it uses innovative COD (cylinder on demand) technology to save fuel. It propels itself to 100km in just 4,6sec.

 

The second petrol engine is in the form of the brutal Audi RS7 Sportback. The 4,0 TFSI in the revised Audi RS 7 Sportback provides - as before - 412kW, with a constant 700Nm of torque at engine speeds between 1 750 and 5 500rpm. The engine catapults the five-door coupé from 0 to 100km in 3,9sec. The optional dynamic package allows a top speed of 305km. In the ECE cycle however, the resonant V8 bi-turbo needs only 9,5-litres of fuel per 100km with 221g CO² per kilometre. A key factor in this efficiency is the cylinder on demand system.

 

The new Audi A7 Sportback sets the standard in infotainment. The MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch (standard on the 3.0TDI BiTurbo, S7 and RS7), utilises the latest generation of the modular infotainment system. Customers may also opt to add the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System.

 

Standard equipment on the Audi A7 Sportback 3,0 TDI quattro S tronic (200kW): 3-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel, 19" 5-spoke V design wheel, LED headlights, Advanced key (Keyless entry), aluminium trim on window surround, Audi Drive Select, Audi Music Interface with USB integration, three rear seats (excludes S7), Auto dim interior mirror with light and rain sensor, Bluetooth cellphone preparation, child seat anchor on front passenger seat, Climatronic air conditioner, cruise control, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors with memory function, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function for driver seat, inlays in brushed aluminium, interior lighting package, MMI Radio Plus with active speakers, Park Distance Control with rear view camera, partial leather seat trim, power closing tailgate, quattro with self-locking Crown-gear differential, rear side airbags, sideguard airbag system, standard suspension.

 

The Audi A7 Sportback 3,0 TDI bi-turbo quattro S tronic (235kW) offers the same as above, plus: 20" 5-spoke W-design wheel, leather-covered, multifunction sports steering wheel in three-spoke design, with shift paddles, MMI navigation plus including MMI Touch.

 

The Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI quattro tiptronic (412kW) offers standard equipment as in the previous model, plus: carbon fibre inlays, RS-tuned air suspension, full LED headlights with RS7 specific look, MMI 3G Navigation with connect and MMI touch, Valcona leather upholstery with diamond pattern, electrically operated glass sunroof, heads-up display, night vision with pedestrian detection, dynamic steering, quattro sports differential, keyless entry, 21" light alloy wheels, aluminium styling package with quattro wording on front bumper, RS-braking system with 'wave' design discs.

 

R943 500; Audi A7 Sportback 3,0 TDI BiTurbo quattro S tronic - R1 040,000; Audi S7 Sportback 4,0T FSI quattro S tronic - R1 176,500 and Audi RS7 Sportback 4,0T FSI quattro S tronic - R1 596 000.

 

All prices include VAT and the standard, five year or 100 000km Audi Freeway Plan.