True. Dark colors & 20" wheels do help a lot. But the side profile still looks awkward. The rear too but not as much. :eusa_thin
It's official. The Audi A7 – elegance and efficiency INGOLSTADT, Germany, Jul 26, 2010 - Summary Aesthetic and athletic – the Audi A7 Sportback Emotion-packed design, sporty character and innovative technology: Audi is targeting a new market segment with the A7 Sportback. The large five-door model with the dynamically accentuated rear end brings together the best of three worlds: the sporty elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon. The A7 Sportback is pure high-tech. Its body is very lightweight thanks to numerous aluminum components. The elegant interior shows a craftsman's level of workmanship. The four V6 engines combine refined power with groundbreaking efficiency. The 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) and multitronic has CO2 emissions of just 139 grams per kilometer (223.70 g/mile). The sporty chassis comes with new solutions, such as electromechanical power steering. When it comes to assistance and infotainment systems, the luxury-class coupe exhibits all of the innovative power expected of Audi. The five-door coupe from Audi combines supreme, long-distance comfort with a sporty character. The interior noise level is very low even at fast highway speeds, with the V6 engines providing refined acoustic feedback as their power unfolds. The excellent vibrational comfort likewise contributes to the atmosphere of cultured tranquility on board. This is the result of painstakingly tuning all components, systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings and the extremely stiff body. The body is comprised primarily of aluminum and high-tech steels, making it extremely lightweight and safe. The large rear hatch opens wide to reveal a large, extremely usable luggage compartment that is very easy to load. Its 535-liter (18.89 cu ft) capacity swells to a volume of 1,390 liters (49.09 cu ft) with the rear seat backrests folded down. With the A7 Sportback, which will be rolling into dealerships in the fall at a base price of €51,600, Audi is taking up a new design line representing elegance on a grand scale. The five-door coupe is 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) long and 1.91 meters (6.27 ft) wide, but only 1.42 meters (4.66 ft) high. Its long hood, the short front overhang, the long wheelbase, the sportily flowing C-pillars and the sharply dropping rear create a dynamic overall impression. The five-door coupe is an aesthetic athlete with a wide, powerful road stance. Optional LED headlights reinforce the unmistakable expression of the A7 Sportback and provide all light functions with light-emitting diodes while minimizing energy consumption. Bi-xenon headlights and LED tail lights come standard. The innovative all-weather light function has also been integrated into the headlights, replacing the classic fog lights. The sinewy sportiness of the exterior carries over into the interior of the A7 Sportback, where Audi again demonstrates its leading role in automotive design. The salient element is the "wrap-around," a horizontal line that encircles the driver and front-seat passenger in the interior to provide a feeling of safety and security. The wave-shaped application strip with its integrative dynamics is the salient element of the dashboard. The utmost care has been devoted to every last detail in the interior. Workmanship is at a craftsman's level. Optional climate-control and massage functions are available for the front seats covered in high-grade Audi leathers. The optional ambient lighting fills the entire interior with atmosphere. Like Audi's A8 flagship, the A7 Sportback also combines a new level of technical intelligence with logical, intuitive ergonomics and self-explanatory operation. The advanced MMI operating system with central menu button and reduced number of buttons comes standard, while one of the options is a new head-up display that projects the most important information on the windshield. The MMI touch system combines a hard drive navigation system with the convenience of touchpad input. The driver can use the touchpad to perform numerous functions, such as using his or her finger to write the letters of the destination or the digits of the telephone number. The online services work together with Google to connect the five-door Audi coupe to the Internet via the Bluetooth car phone. A UMTS module delivers images and information from Google Earth to the monitor and combines them with the navigation route. A WLAN hotspot is used to connect mobile devices. Further to the Bose sound system, the top-of-the-line option is the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen featuring 1,300 watts of power and 15 speakers. The top navigation system works closely together with the many optional driver assistance and safety systems in the A7 Sportback. It forwards the route data to the control units for the headlights, the automatic transmission and the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, enabling these systems to recognize complex scenarios. In many cases, the Audi pre sense safety system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences. The new Audi active lane assist helps the driver to keep the A7 Sportback firmly on course, and the new park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking. Audi will initially offer the A7 Sportback with a choice of four powerful and cultivated V6 engines: two gasoline and two TDI units. Their power output ranges from 150 kW (204 hp) to 220 kW (300 hp), and their efficiency sets impressive new standards in the vehicle class. The new 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) and multitronic consumes on average just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 US mpg), corresponding to CO2 emissions of just 139 g per km (223.70 g/mile). All engines use Audi's innovative thermal management system, a recuperation system and a start-stop system. The standard automatic transmissions also play a role in the high efficiency of the Audi A7 Sportback. Audi offers two different transmissions depending on the engines: The continuous multitronic sends the power to the front wheels, while the sporty seven-speed S tronic works together with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The latest evolutionary stage of quattro features a crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring. The drive system is particularly flexible and dynamic. The optional sport differential actively distributes the power between the rear wheels. The chassis also combines sporty precision with luxurious comfort. The Audi A7 Sportback rolls on large wheels measuring from 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The chassis features aluminum control arms and a newly developed power steering system with an electromechanical drive for high efficiency. The Audi drive select dynamics system is standard and can be supplemented by the optional adaptive air suspension with controlled damping.
Awww...I was really hoping that this was bad joke that someone was playing. Oh well..nothing special, but I'm sure someone out there will love it. After seeing the A8, I guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up for something dramatic.
Two days ago I got to finally see the new A8 in the metal. What made me notice it was the alluring LED lights which were followed by the beautiful surfacing accentuated by the liquid metallic beige/grey paint job. There's no denying that the A7 looks are predictable as your next bowl of rice, though this one is flavored with corriander, lemon and a squint of vinegar. As more photos emerge, the more I appreciate the design. Reactions to the car's appearence is no difference to when the A5 Sportback was launched, but to my surprise I ended but loathing the new A4 but worshipping the A5 -- in fact, I find it to be the most beautiful car money can buy under 50k. It's a brilliant example of simplicity can make a poerful impression.The A7 is very much the A5's big brother in appearence and I do find the rear end design and sloping of the roof shape to be very thought provoking. Scale is important and this might be one of those cars that must be seen in the metal to truly be understood. Although it's not sexy to the extent that it makes you want to strip your clothes off, I'm adamant that the car will attract a cachet of enthusiastic buyers like the A5.
I have on good word from a somebody who has been working closely with the A7 that 'in the metal' it's a very striking car. I think lots of us have 'Panamera complex' right now - We don't really see the scale or dimension of the car in photos so it appears like a barely restyled A4 fastback... In person it will be a completely different story. Don't forget how many of us took a steaming dump on the 'boring' A5.
After seeing a lot of hi res pictures, I start to love this car. The front is a bit weak but the rest of the car is stunning. I really love the rear and side profile of this car. The interior is gorgeous. I would love to drive this car with the screen folded down. The wrap around wood trim is nice (a la Jaguar XJ). The car is very low so it should be a looker IRL with dark colour and 20" rims. The engine is a bit weak though. 3.0 TDI has only 240hp/500Nm (Merc has much higher figure). Overall, nice job for AUDI.
Well known fact that I am no Audi fan. IMO the interior is not bad at all and being behind the wheel would certainly be a unique experience The design is truly uninspiring and bland, no finesse or 'that' something special that would make a car in this segment unique. The rear is ungainly and the front is weak. The shoulder line is the only design element worth mentioning. Yes, I am a fan of the 5er GT. And I have to say that in comparison pics the 5 GT will have more presence and more unique design elements that will simply overshadow the A7. True 4 door coupe its not, so the new CLS will cast a dark shadow over the A7, so dark that the A7 will simply disappear. IMO
The irony is entertaining! Don't you ever get bored of contradicting yourself? http://www.germancarforum.com/x3-sav/33985-official-2011-bmw-x3.html#post471280
It's interesting to see opinions changing towards the looks of the A7, now that lot pics of the car are starting to appear and in different hues. Many are comparing this to the CLS, it's a different category as it's sportshatch and the CLS is a 4dr coupe. I personally love the look of the latest CLS, it's got glorious proportions but I also feel the same way towards the A7 which has an air of elegance similar to that of the XJ that isn't present in any of it's German rivals. UK buyers will be pleased by the standard spec on offer. SE trim: Exterior 18” alloy wheels Audi Drive Select Tyre pressure monitoring system Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights Electrically operated tailgate Audio and communication Bluetooth DVD Navigation with colour DIS Audi Parking System Plus Audi Music Interface DAB digital radio Seats Milano leather Heated front seats Electrically adjustable seats (driver & passenger) Memory seats (driver) Interior Cruise control 2 Zone Climate LED Light pack Front centre armrest 4 spoke multi function steering wheel S-Line additional equipment over SE: Exterior 19” alloy wheels S line body styling Interior S line interior styling Inlays in brushed Aluminium Silver Black cloth headlining Gear knob in perforated leather 3 spoke multi function steering wheel
You know what?I like A7 better than new A8 both inside out,seriously.Front end I like the most followed by side profile..interior is quite a threat for senses IMHO,especially in darker colors.BMW and MB should learn one or two things about interior design from Audi IMO.I cant wait to see it IRL,I bet it´s quite stunning car to behold .
