Audi A7 Sportback 2011 Review

Freycinet, Tasmania

For starters, A7 Sportback's styling is more conventional, and I mean that in a good way. Combining sport sedan proportions with the svelte rakish lines of a coupe, A7 Sportback, to this scribe at least, appears better balanced than its aforementioned counterparts. And from behind, could readily be mistaken for a sports model of more passionate persuasion.

Not to say the performance on hand in either guise is lacking. Audi's 3.0-litre TFSI (petrol) and TDI (diesel) V6 powerplants provide a rousing impetus very nearly deserved of the famed 'S' badge, although the firm's Australian marketing crew assure us an S7 Sportback variant is unlikely, for now. Similarly, the car is dynamically adroit, considering its proportions and it features every conceivable technology, as well as (almost) commodious seating for four and generous luggage space.

And it seems Audi Australia is aware of this issue from the outset. Its five-door, four-seat super-hatch is comprehensively stocked with the very best and most up-to-date equipment from elsewhere in the four-ring range -- including the entirety of the new A8's advanced infotainment technology. Further, a duo of deft six-cylinder engines, slick seven-speed S-tronic transmission and the brand's famed quattro all-wheel drive system provide effortless motivation, but more on that shortly.

Bluetooth streaming and telephony, now commonplace in even the most mainsteam of brands, is standard across the A7 Sportback range and works hand-in-glove with Audi's proficient (and standard) BOSE audio system. For audiophiles with slightly deeper pockets, an optional Bang & Olufsen system ($12,350) fills the leather-clad cabin with lashings of midrange punch topped with crisp highlights and rich, lurid bass certain to delight even the choosiest hi-fi enthusiast.

The Multimedia Interface (MMI) neatly incorporates A8's touchpad system with black panel technology and an 8.0-inch retractable colour screen which sits front and centre in A7 Sportback's 'wrap-around' driver-focused dashboard, and above its asymmetrical centre console and four-zone climate control system. The tunnel controls consist of A7 Sportback's transmission shifter, keyless starter, electronic park brake and MMI controls, as well as the obligatory ash tray/cigarette lighter combo, drink holders and well proportioned centre bin.

A comprehensive array of driver assistance technologies is available as a blend of both standard and optional equipment. There's a new adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and pre-sense frontal collision avoidance technology ($3570), head-up display ($3400), night vision ($4890), LED headlamps with high beam assist ($2700) and side assist lane changing / lane departure system (standard), among others. 

As with all Audis, an extensive range of personalisation treatments, trim finishes and upholstery colours are also offered.

The all-new Audi A7 Sportback is priced from $142,750 for the 3.0 TDI (diesel) and $147,800 for the 3.0 TFSI (petrol) model.

Developing 220kW/440Nm, the petrol-powered model is capable of sprinting from standstill to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds. The diesel variant delivers 180kW/500Nm and covers the same dash in 6.5 seconds. Both engines are governed to a top speed of 250km/h and include a smart alternator system (incorrectly referred to as brake regeneration) to limit engine charging loads under acceleration.

Not to be labelled irresponsible, A7 Sportback returns a very respectable combined fuel economy average of 8.2L/100km in petrol guise, and in diesel an even more impressive 6.0L/100km. CO2 emissions are 190g/km and 158g/km respectively (Euro5).

At launch, the smaller 2.8 FSI engine featured in the car's home market is not available but will be sold here by Q4 this year.

Significantly, the two engines on offer currently are both mated to Audi's smooth-shifting seven-speed S-tronic automatic transmission driving all four wheels permanently. As well as the standard quattro all-wheel drive system, Audi offers an optional RS 5-sourced centre sports differential ($2570). Although seamless (and quite intuitive), drive will shift as required to maintain optimum traction in all conditions or as required based on driver input. Ordinarily, this split sees a 40:60 ratio maintained front-to-rear but this can vary up to 70:30 or 15:85 as necessary.

Sharing a platform with the all-new A6, the Audi A7 Sportback's chassis is further enhanced with aluminium to reduce weight and is suspended by a five-link front end and trapezoidal link rear. The car's suspension is adjustable via the MMI system through four settings, one of which can be individualised, while a lower sports arrangement ($980) or newly redesigned air suspension system ($4770) are also available optionally.

Steering duties fall to an electromechanically assisted unit that Audi claims can save as much as 0.3L/100km. A turning circle of 11.9 metres is not too bad for a car as large as the A7.

Braking is handled by four powerful internally ventilated discs. The A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI rides on 18-inch alloy wheels while 3.0 TFSI models boast 19-inch alloys. 20-inch alloy wheels are available on both models as an option ($4700).

Both models also feature an automatically actuated rear spoiler that deploys at speeds in excess of130km/h. Legally speaking we shouldn't have much use for it in Australia, but in case you enjoy the 'theatre', a switch on the dash will activate it manually.

In profile, a familiar sharp tornado line at the front quarter panel leads to a strong shoulder line topped by a flat domed roof. The C-pillar stretches 'endlessly' to the rear and is integrated with a third side window with an upward pointing tip, itself a small homage to the 1969 Audi 100 Coupe S.  Behind the steel and aluminium body, a line of 'dynamic elegance' encircles the rear and uses a slight negative indentation to form a distinctive spoiler lip.

Supportive and well contoured 10-way adjustable seats up front provide an accommodating driving position. Sight lines are good in all directions, despite the steep slope of the rear.

In the rear, two seats offer ample leg, hip and shoulder room, though taller passengers may struggle with the limited headroom afforded by the sloping roof.

The five-door coupe measures 4970mm in length and 1910mm in width but is only 1420mm high, adding to its sporting character. By contrast, sibling A5 Sportback measures 4711mm in length, 1854mm in width and 1391mm in height and Audi's flagship A8 saloon some 5137mm long, 1949mm wide and 1460mm tall.

Continuing Audi's family theme, a familiar grille is flanked by bi-xenon or optional LED headlamps including Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs). At the rear, zero maintenance LED tail-lights are also fitted as standard.

Audi says the A7's design boasts all the character of a 'grand coupe' but with the prestige of a sedan and the practicality of an Avant (wagon).

Eleven paint finishes are offered for the A7 Sportback including two solid colours Ibis White and Brilliant Black. Six metallic colours ($2300) are Ice Silver, Quartz Grey, Oolong Grey, Moonshine Blue, Havanna Black and Dakota Grey. Rounding out the palette are three pearl-effect hues ($2300) Phantom Black, Garnet Red and Impala Beige.

Further, tyre pressure monitoring, stability control and traction control are included with an electronic differential lock, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake-force distribution with emergency brake assist.
 
Three-point inertia reel seatbelts with pyrotechnic pretensioners and load limiters are featured up front as are anti-whiplash head restraints. At the rear, three-point belts and anti-whiplash head rests are again included, as are ISOFIX child seat preparation and top-tether mounting points.

Although it is yet to be tested by EuroNCAP or ANCAP safety bodies, we'd expect a full five-star result from either test.

BMW has a three-tier model line up for its 5 Series GT featuring a choice of one diesel and two petrol engines, including a thrilling twin-turbo V8. Otherwise similarly specified, 5 Series GT retails from between $143,400 and $192,900, placing it at a significant price disadvantage to Audi's new super coupe. It's also slightly bigger, being based on the 7 Series platform (and looks bulkier than its svelte Audi counterpart), almost SUV-like in contrast.

Mercedes-Benz CLS is another obvious rival. More sedan-like in appearance, the CLS was debatably the instigator of this new trend in coupe-inspired four-doors and is currently due for a freshen up locally. Offered with a similar choice of petrol and diesel powerplants the Mercedes-Benz CLS is also available with a performance option in the form of the AMG-enhanced CLS 63, the new version of which we've recently tested. Although currently unavailable in Australia (expected later this year), the CLS was last priced between $154,200 and $278,700.

It could also be suggested that the Porsche Panamera is another fitting adversary, and one that's not as dear as you might first think.

More performance-focused in its intent, Panamera still features the same creature comforts as A7 Sportback, and similar levels of accommodation. Priced from $193,000 the Panamera is still $50K more than its four-ringed rival but once completely optioned, the A7 Sportback does come perilously close to a car that, let's face it, brings a whole new level of 'badge cred'. Oh, and in case you were wondering, a full-flight Panamera Turbo will lighten your wallet to the tune of $372,200.

Starting the drive route in the 3.0 TFSI, there was very little to mark down. The potent supercharged V6 presents no lag as it spins freely from idle; instead delivering an impressive but linear surge of muscular momentum as the tachometer cleared 5500rpm (maximum torque is delivered between 5250 and 6500).

Propulsion seems to dip a little towards redline but is soon compensated for as the smooth-shifting S-tronic transmission quickly grabs another ratio. As the pace became more enthusiastic, so too does the soundtrack of Audi's sinewy direct injected mill growing more and more addictive as you pile on the throttle, eventually masking the obvious road and tyre hum heard whilst cruising.

Pushed through a few more challenging bends, A7 Sportback displays a competent blend of balance and comfort. The adjustable suspension works well to deliver an acceptable ride until tighter bends and a heavy foot requires more control.

Flick the adjustable suspension into Dynamic mode and the top-heavy feel of the large 1770kg coupe all but vanishes. The front end points cleanly at the apex, too, even if steering feel is somewhat anaesthetised by Audi's electromechanically assisted power steering. It's a shame in some respects as, although it's not a sports car, A7 Sportback is a capable handler with tenacious all-wheel drive grip that could be better exploited were the steering feel less numb.

Switching to the 3.0 TDI model and the most discernable difference is not the engine note, as one might expect, but a wallop of additional mid-range torque. Delivered cleanly but with impressive velocity, the turbodiesel's 500 Isaacs offer effortless in-gear acceleration for confident overtaking or hill climbing. Handling traits remained much the same as in the petrol model, with only a touch more weight distinguishable over the front wheels.

Fuel economy returns on our drive route (which we should point out was driven enthusiastically) saw the 3.0 TFSI return 12.4L/100km and the 3.0 TDI just 8.0L/100km -- 4.2 and 2.0L/100km over the claimed results respectively.

Plodding around Hobart en route to the airport and A7 Sportback's comfort and automatic suspension modes see the steering become very light, even if the ride is enjoyably plush. The idle stop-start system, too, is markedly better than that of several competitors we've experienced presenting no 'shudder' as the engine is extinguished and being very prompt to reignite.

Audi has a potential winner in the A7 Sportback, but may need to work hard to convince buyers that a large hatch and luxury go side-by-side.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site