The New Audi A7 Sportback Revealed
Added: 06 November 2017
The New Audi A7 Sportback Revealed
Set to go on sale early next year, the new Audi A7 Sportback has a sharp exterior design, with a whole host of new technology packed inside, with every engine in the range featuring a mild hybrid system.
Taking lead from the new Audi A8, the 2018 A7 Sportback is built on the latest ‘MLB Evo’ platform, making it slightly shorter than the current model at 4,969mm, but the same in width and height. The wheelbase is 10mm longer and Audi have created 21mm more cabin space to improve passenger comfort.
Whilst the base of the design is familiar to the previous generation, there are many distinguishable differences. The front looks very similar to the new A8 but with a lower and wider grille, complimented by narrower lights. Customers can choose from three different headlight systems, with the Matrix LED system that uses Audi’s laser light tech sitting at the top-of-the-range. The rear is now noticeably different to the old A7 Sportback, with an eye-catching full width LED tail light that promises quick-moving light animations when the doors are unlocked. Customers can now choose from 8 more design colours, and opt for the S-line styling pack to bring in a gloss black grille and a sportier gloss black rear and front sills and diffusers.
Inside the cabin, the A7 boasts Audi’s latest and most advanced MMI Touch Response Infotainment system. The system consists of two screens, with the upper 10.1” display controlling the infotainment and navigation system and a lower 8.6” unit allowing access to adjust the car’s climate and comfort functions. Both screens use a clever haptic and acoustic feedback that provides users with confirmation that a button has been clicked with a ‘click’ they can hear and feel. On the entry level cars however, customers will have to pay extra for sat nav.
Customers can create personal user profiles with up to 400 different parameters and there is now a high-tech hazard information system called ‘Car-to-X’ that communicates with other Audi’s. Customers can choose from up to 39 driver assistance systems, including smartphone operated autonomous remote parking in the later part of 2018. Audi have designed the interior of the A7 to be a “futuristic lounge atmosphere”, giving customers a sense of space of airiness. The boot space is the same as before at 535 litres, whilst the new generation A7 is promised to have more headroom in the rear.
The A7 Sportback will arrive initially in Germany, with only one engine choice. This will be a 3.0-litre V6 TFSI petrol engine, badged as 55 TFSI due to Audi’s new naming designations. The engine produces 335bhp and 500Nm of torque, reaching 62mph from standstill in 3.5 seconds and continuing to a top speed of 155mph. Several more four and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines will be joining the range later.
It is not yet clear which engine variants will be coming to the UK, but every engine will be fitted with a mild hybrid system. The car will be able to coast with the internal combustion engine off between 34 and 99mph thanks to regenerative braking that feeds a lithium ion battery and starter generator. The new A7 Sportback will also have start-stop that activates below 14mph and starts the car as traffic moves away. Having this tech in the new model improves overall fuel consumption by approximately 10%.
All new generation A7 Sportback’s will also come with quattro four-wheel drive, but power will only be sent to the front when needed. Four-wheel steering boosts the agility of the car and customers can choose from four different suspensions setups; standard steel springs, sports suspension lowered by 10mm, self-levelling air suspension or an adaptive damper system.
UK details are yet to be released, but the Audi A7 Sportback 55 TFSI quattro will launch in Germany next February.
View the current A7 Sportback, or alternatively, contact Caffyns Audi for more information.