Vehicle Overview
The Audi A7 is a large four-door hatchback conceived along the same lines as BMW’s 5 Series Gran Turismo. It combines a coupelike profile with the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon, Audi says. The A7 slots between the A6 and A8 sedans in Audi’s lineup, and competitors include the 5 Series GT and Porsche Panamera.
The A7 comes with a choice of a supercharged gas or turbocharged diesel V-6 engine, both with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance variants of the A7 are available as the S7 and RS 7, and are powered by turbocharged V-8 engines.
(Skip to details on the: S7 and RS 7)
New for 2016
Horsepower on the gas V-6 increases to 333 from 310, and the city and highway fuel economy estimates each increase by 2 mpg to 20 and 30 mpg, respectively. Styling updates include a new front styling, grille and headlights, and new LED taillights and trapezoidal tailpipes integrated into the rear bumper. The Audi Connect communications system adds standard 4G LTE and an integrated Wi-Fi hot spot.
Significant Standard Features
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- All-wheel drive
- Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
- 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hot spot
- Automatic air conditioning
- Navigation system with Google Earth imagery
- Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system
Significant Available Features
- 20-inch wheels
- LED headlights
- Bose surround-sound audio system
- Bang & Olufsen premium stereo
- Head-up display
- Adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning and prevention
- Night vision with pedestrian and animal detection
S7
The four-seat S7 is a performance variant of Audi’s coupelike four-door hatchback, the A7. A 450-hp, twin-turbo V-8 is standard. The V-8 teams with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the car has all-wheel drive and a sport rear differential. Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Porsche Panamera.
What’s Special
- Sport rear differential
- Adaptive air suspension with lowered ride height
- Standard head-up display
RS 7
The RS 7 is the ultimate statement in the A7 line, combining stunning looks inside and out with radical performance. It has a unique grille, bumpers and other exterior touches, and uses a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that makes 560 hp and 516 pounds-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard, and the RS 7 is capable of sprinting to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, according to Audi.
What’s Special
- 20-inch wheels standard; 21-inch available
- Adaptive rear spoiler
- Available carbon fiber front spoiler, rear diffuser
- Adaptive air suspension with lowered ride height
- Available dynamic steering, suspension
- Standard head-up display
- Available aluminum and wood interior trim
