Audi unveils the facelifted 2015 A7 Sportback

Audi A7 Sportback had a facelifted version in the works and we have had spy shots of the car testing in many parts of the world. Today, we have clearer images as the 2015 Audi A7 Sportback and S7 Sportback have been officially unveiled before they go on sale, in the UK, this summer.

The facelifted car now features redesigned bumpers, grille and optional new Matrix LED headlights available with dynamic turn signals. The changes out back include angular exhaust tips, updated taillights and a new bumper.

Step inside the cabin and one knows one will be treated to a luxurious experience with materials like Valcona leather, the aluminum / Beaufort walnut inlay and five colour options for the seats. The body of the new Audi A7 Sportback consists primarily of aluminum and high-tech steel grades. It is extraordinarily lightweight and designed for maximum comfort.

The on-board entertainment system begs a mention as well. The MMI Navigation plus has been updated with the MMI touch, courtesy the Nvidia graphics processor and LTE Internet connectivity. Other features include the stop and go function, adaptive cruise control, night vision, side assist, active lane assist and the company’s pre-sense safety system. 

What will be powering this facelifted car is the next best question. The answer is, two TFSI and three TDI engines. Audi is offering the 2015 Audi A7 Sportback with the 3.0-litre TDI V6 Clean Diesel engine outputting 268.3bhp or 214.6bhp in the more frugal "ultra" variant where it returns 50 mpg US (60 mpg UK or 4.7 litres / 100 km) with CO2 emissions of 122 g/km.

There's also a more powerful 3.0-litre TDI bi-turbo with 315bhp mated to an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox while the rest of the engines come with a 7-speed S tronic. Speaking of other engines, Audi offers a 4.0 TFSI with 444bhp for the hotter S7 derivative which benefits from cylinder-on-demand technology.

The front-wheel drive will now get a dual-clutch transmission instead of the multitronic. In engine configurations starting at 268bhp, quattro permanent all-wheel drive can be supplemented with the sport differential, which actively distributes power between the rear wheels. Some engine configurations are equipped with new lightweight brakes. However, the Audi drive select dynamic handling system will be standard. 

The Audi A7 Sportback will be taking up the fight against the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and the BMW 6 Series, while the RS7 will be pitted against the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and the Maserati Quattroporte. 

The car is already a good looking one what with the length (4.97metres), the low ride height, swooping roofline, the redesigned taillights and the sharp lines which makes it stand out from the rest of the Audis and rivals for that matter. For those looking for a car that is a mixture of technological advancement, performance and luxury, this should be a great choice, price no bar. The facelifted A7 will be on sale by the end of the year in markets abroad. India could expect the facelifted model sometime early next year or even by year-end if everything goes according to Audi’s plans.