Audi unveiled the new-generation A7 Sportback last week. The four-door coupe is now more advanced, luxurious and more efficient than the outgoing car. The A7 is in its second generation now. Here are the few highlights of the all-new Audi A7 Sportback.
Evolutionary design:
Based on the Prologue Concept, the A7 carries forward many design elements from the older car, while scrounging a few from the new-gen A8 sedan. The grille, for example, is similar to the A8 but is lower and wider. The headlights are as sleek as before, but the whole unit is now HD Matrix LED with Audi laser lights akin to the A8.
The long hood and the smooth flowing roofline is the characteristic feature of the A7. There is also an integrated spoiler which deploys at 120kmph. At the rear, the A7 carries the design feature which will be common to all big Audi’s – flat LED light strip tail lights.
Advanced Cabin:
Audi has adopted a new cabin layout with the new A8. The same can be seen inside the new A7. There is a horizontally running dashboard dominated by two screens on the centre console oriented towards the driver. There’s a heads-up display as well. The instrument cluster is an all-digital 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit. There is a mixture of black panels, graphite grey aluminium inlays and beige all around the cabin. All colours, upholstery materials and inlays look premium with added pure leather upholstery.
Connected technology:
According to the Ingolstadt-based carmaker, the A7 is perfectly equipped for long-distance touring with its connectivity. All the connectivity options from the A8 have trickled down into the A7. There are seven individual driver settings. The A7 also comes with an AI button, which activates the remote parking pilot and the remote garage pilot. Depending on the equipment level, there can be as many as five radar sensors, five cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner. Besides all of that, the A7 features a total of 39 driver assistance systems to make things easier for the driver.
Rear-wheel steering:
Audi has provided the new A7 with a newly developed rear-wheel steering for the first time. The steering ratio varies as a function of speed between 9.5:1 and 16.5:1 by means of active steering interventions at the front and rear axle. At low speed, they steer counter to the front wheels to further increase the agility of the A7 when parking or driving in urban traffic.
Hybrid technology:
The A7 is offered with a 3.0-litre V6 petrol with 340bhp and 500N. The motor comes as a standard with a new mild hybrid system (MHEV). It’s the same 48-volt electric system seen on the A8. A belt alternator starter (BAS) works together with a lithium-ion battery and achieves a recuperation performance of up to 12 kW when braking. At speeds between 55-160kmph, the four-door coupe can coast in a freewheeling mode with the engine deactivated and then restarted comfortably via the BAS.
