AUDI A7 SPORTBACK: SURPRISINGLY VERY GOOD!

I may be ageing. Daft statement. We are all ageing! But here’s the thing. Inside this ageing body I’m still myself, my old petrolhead self. And for me to like an Audi Sportback model is uncharacteristic. Actually, more so because it’s the new Audi A7 Sportback, the biggest one of the lot. At this point I should make another confession; I prefer the A5 Sportback to any other A5 model.

With that out of the way – my street cred included – I now get down to the business of justifying my statements. Except I don’t have to, for what I am about to write isn’t a justification, but a reason. Yes, there is a difference. It wasn’t the scenic Western Cape that did it, nor was it the exclusive Tintswalo Atlantic lodge with its sea-board location and excellent cut of beef. What did it for me was the A7 itself.

Being a natural cynic (hence my journalistic profession), I had seen the car in spy shots numerous times before. I also took note of its unveiling as a concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Admittedly I wasn’t swept off my feet. To me it appeared as just another “sporty wagon” from Audi, essentially a bigger A5 Sportback. Not so in the metal. This is a very pretty car, believe me.

The boot for instance, opens all the way up to the top of the rear window, just like the Porsche Panamera, thus exposing a much larger loading space for goods. An electrically adjustable rear wing either pops up or can be actuated via a button inside. It helps with downforce, which improves handling around bends and corners. Audi says it has the sporty elegance of a coupe. I tested this claim.

Three passes around the Cape peninsula and the impression is that for a car of its size, the A7 Sportback is no granny. I was reminded of the excellent handling abilities exhibited by the A8 when I took the A7 around. Quattro AWD is standard in both models sold in South Africa. Instead of hampering the fire, the system actually assists it. That’s because it has the crown-gear centre differential and torque vectoring system found in the sprightly S4.

The aluminium-based chassis is of course lightweight and can be paired with an air suspension system that helps improve passenger comfort. At 4.97 metres long, 1.9 metres wide and 1.42m high, the car is very much a coupe with a short front overhang, a long wheelbase and a sloping roofline over the C pillar.

Two engines will be offered and both of them are quite performance-oriented. The first is a 3.0TDI with a power output of 180kW and torque of 500Nm. Mated to it is the 7-speed S tronic double-clutch gearbox that can be changed through paddles or using the gearlever itself. Alternatively you can just leave it in automatic and let it do its thing. Audi says it will help the car accelerate from 0 – 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds, topping of at 250km/h. I thought it was very smooth and creamy, in fact so smooth some of the journalists thought it was a petrol engine.

The second motor is the 3.0 TFSI V6, same as in the S4, which is a supercharged petrol V6. Power is 220kW and torque of 440Nm can be realised. While it looks a bit tame compared to the S4, it’s useful to note that its predecessor was a turbocharged 3.0-litre with 213kW, and in the A6 could do 0 – 100km/h in 6.1 seconds here in Gauteng. Audi claims 5.6 seconds for the A7. It also uses the 7-speed S tronic

Both engines have energy recuperation and stop/start systems. Certainly vuma is more piercing from the petrol, as one would expect. So it’s just a matter of preference (the price difference is negligible); would you like more performance or fuel economy from your A7?

Luxury is, thankfully, not something they give you choice on. Sure, there are options and some packages to help you decide, depending on your budget and needs. However, the standard stuff is very comprehensive and includes bi-xenon headlights and LED tail lights, dual-zone climate control, a four-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel with multi-function controls, keyless entry, advanced park distance control with rear-view camera, and a steering column electrically adjustable for reach and rake. Bang & Olufsen will supply a 1300W sound system with 15 speakers, at a price.

MMI is standard and it comes with radio Plus sound system with a Bluetooth cell phone connection. My co-driver Steve from FHM magazine tried pairing it up with his iPhone on three different occasions and it just never worked. Ensure it does before you buy it.

Head-up display which shows some information like fuel usage and speed on the windscreen in front of the driver, makes its Audi debut in the A7, and will soon be seen in other models as well. If you want more of the perkier stuff you’ll have to fork out for them. Story of the German premium sector.

“The A7 Sportback represents an innovative, groundbreaking concept in luxury car motoring that will not only attract existing Audi customers, but also drivers of other marques,” says Ryan Searle, General Manager of Sales and Marketing at Audi South Africa.

What Searle means is that the A7 Sportback will take away any potential A6 Avant (wagon) buyers, snatch recently-moneyed A5 Sportback dreamers, and woo Mercedes-Benz CLS worshipers. He’s also after those discerning Panamera people. The A7 is a very talented piece of machinery with sophistication in its belly. Of the top Germans it has just fired the first salvo of the next 18 months, with Mercedes-Benz soon to follow with the all-new CLS and BMW with the four-door 6 Series next year. All these competitors had better be top of their game to win.

Audi A7 Sportback Pricing

3.0 TDI S tronic (R717 000)

3.0 TFSI S tronic (R728 000)