Audi’s A7 Hatchback is a Styling Success
 |
| audi a7 wallpaper |
In the layers of sedan styling each manufacturer seems to have a car that is just one shade different from the competition. Yes, there are a few notable exceptions, but it’s really refreshing when a manufacturer takes a styling chance and it works. Such is the case with the all-new 2012 Audi A7 sedan.
The Audi A7 is truly a family affair with this car melding the nose of the R8, the profiles of the A4-A8 and a rear hatch. A what? Yes, the A7 is a hatchback, but not one of the wagon variety or with an ungainly rump as found on the Porsche Panamera. No, the A7 has more of an elegant finish as found on a stylish coupe. This distinction makes all the difference and makes the car a slick standout.
If you expect an equal amount of interior styling dazzle then you’re in for a slight letdown. The overall look is heavily borrowed from the A8 and that’s good because a premium car such as this deserves a fitting interior The inside has a tight build quality and a deft blending of materials; accents with a straightforward left-to-right dash conveys substance over flash. The seats are slightly firm but comfortable, and the door panels, center console and controls all bend, curve and are placed where they should be. The interior is impressively quiet.
The A7 is a sports sedan, and the performance fleet is getting crowded over at Audi as the A7 and S7 sit right between the A6 and A8. And the hot little S4 is not far behind, especially in price.
Are the days of the V-8 over? In the standard A7 they haven’t started, but the higher performance S7 does come with a 4.0-liter V-8. The standard A7 sedan comes with a TFSI supercharged 3.0-liter V-6. It features the industry’s miracle worker: a belt-driven supercharger that pushes the engine up to 310 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.
A fantastically smooth and efficient eight-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual control directs the power. Audi drive select is part of the package and features four different modes (auto, comfort, dynamic or individual), which direct the way the transmission reacts, steering input and the resistance of the throttle pedal.
Piloting the A7 you feel like you’re wheeling a smaller car as this sedan is quite nimble. Step on the gas and this large sedan moves — quickly. Swing this car through some curves and it tracks well. Audi uses aluminum for 20 percent of the A7’s structure and body panels. This lightens the A7 appreciably over a comparable steel version. Drive down a snow-covered, traction-limited street and Audi’s corrective systems swing into action.
Direct power to the pavement occurs via Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. This system delivers 60 percent of torque to the rear wheels, but in severe traction-limited situations more can be sent to a specific wheel that requires the power. The A7’s quattro system maximizes bite and cornering, but also benefits drivers during inclement weather.
Some of the high-tech/comfort items available on the A7 include blind-spot assist, 3-D Google Earth maps and an MMI Touch system that gives you typing capability.
The 2012 A7’s elegant and daring lines give this car an edge in the premium class and really show Audi’s commitment to style.