Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    2019 Audi A7 Retains the Swoopy Hatchback Look

      Do you mind if I borrow some stuff? -2019 Audi A7 to A8


    The Audi A7 hasn't changed much since it was launched back in 2012. Apparently, Audi went with the 'if ain't broke, why fix it' mantra. But that changes today as the German automaker unveiled the second-generation A7 in Germany tonight.

    Audi didn't mess with the A7's silhouette which was one of the key items that made it. What has changed is the treatment for the front and rear. The front is similar the A8 with a wider front grille and sculpted hood. A full-length taillight and retractable spoiler make up the rear. The 2019 A7 is slightly shorter than the current model in overall length (about 0.6-inches).

    The interior is where the major changes have taken place. There is a lot of influence from the A8 with the dual-screen MMI infotainment system and modern design for the dash. Audi will offer seating arrangements for four or five people.

    At launch, the A7 will come with a turbocharged 3.0L V6 featuring 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Like the A8, the A7 will feature a mild-hybrid capability through a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and an upgraded alternator. A variety of gas and diesel engine options will follow. Expect to see the 3.0L and possibly a four-cylinder option arrive our on shores first, with high-performance variants to follow.

    Technology features for the A7 include a rear-wheel steering system, lane-centering assist, AI Remote Parking Pilot, AI Remote Garage Pilot, and adaptive cruise control.

    The A7 goes on sale in Germany in February, while the U.S. has to wait till late next year or early 2019.

    Source: Audi
    Press Release is on Page 2


    The new Audi A7 Sportback: Sporty face of Audi in the luxury class

    • Four-door coupe embodies progressiveness in design and technology
    • All-digital control system, comprehensive connectivity and mild hybrid technology
    • Gran Turismo with enhanced handling and more long-distance comfort

    The A7 Sportback represents the new Audi design language to a great extent and delivers on the design promise made by the prologue studies. The four-door coupe sets standards in the luxury class when it comes to progressiveness. It embodies a new style of Gran Turismo, with dynamic lines, systematic digitalization, a sporty driving experience and a versatile space concept.

    Consumption figures for the Audi A7 Sportback 55 TFSI quattro S tronic
    Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.2 – 6.8* (32.7 – 34.6 US mpg)
    Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 163 – 154* (262.3 – 247.8 g/mi)

    *Figures depend on the wheel/tire sets used

    Dynamics at their most beautiful: the exterior design
    The exterior design of the A7 Sportback is an expression of the new design language that Audi introduced with the prologue study and made its production debut in the new Audi A8. With large surfaces, sharp edges and taut, athletic lines, the A7 signals dynamics and progressiveness from every perspective.

    Up front, the Singleframe grille – wider and lower than that of the Audi A8 – the narrow headlights, the boldly contoured air inlets and the flat front end convey at a glance the sportiness of the Gran Turismo. The headlights are available in three versions. With the middle and top equipment lines, the light signature takes up the subject of digitalization: 12 adjacent lighting segments separated by narrow intervening spaces evoke associations with the binary digits 0 and 1. The top version is the HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light.

    The Audi A7 Sportback is an athletic sculpture with a long engine hood, long wheelbase and short overhangs. Pronounced contours emphasize the wheels, which measure up to 21 inches in diameter, and reference Audi’s quattro genes. These genes determine the proportions of the vehicle’s body. The silhouette is defined by the dynamic roofline, which drops sharply toward the rear. Four figures delineate the sporty character of the large coupe: It is 4,969 millimeters (16.3 ft) long, has a wheelbase of 2,926 millimeters (9.6 ft) and is 1,908 millimeters (6.3 ft) wide, but stands only 1,422 millimeters (4.7 ft) high.

    As with the previous model, the rear end is tapered like that of a yacht. The long luggage compartment lid terminates in a pronounced, curved lip from which an integrated spoiler extends automatically at 120 km/h (74.6 mph). A flat light strip – a design feature common to all of Audi’s top models – joins the rear lights, whose tail lights are made up of 13 vertical segments. When the doors are unlocked and again when they are locked, fast-moving light animations play in the rear lights and in the headlights, highlighting the big coupe’s dynamics while standing still. The progressive exterior design of the new Audi A7 Sportback is largely devoid of chrome. The paint range offers a choice of 15 colors, eight of which are new. The optional S line exterior package further hones the look, with modifications to the radiator grille and the front air inlets, the sills and the front and rear diffusers. They are trimmed in gloss black and more strongly sculpted.

    Show car design comes to production: the interior
    The interior fuses design and technology in a unique way. The interior of the new Audi A7 Sportback dazzles with its futuristic lounge atmosphere. Its reduced, clean design language is based in a one-of-a-kind balance of tension and coolness. The horizontal lines and sleek instrument panel provide for a feeling of airy spaciousness. The center console is oriented toward the driver, underscoring the Gran Turismo’s sporty character. Four key values characterize the interior concept: progressiveness, sportiness, intuitiveness and sophistication. All colors, upholstery materials and inlays underscore the new aesthetic, from the base version to the design selection, the S line sport package and the particularly sophisticated Valcona leather. The optional contour ambient lighting package traces the contours and subtly highlights the space.

    The 10.1-inch upper display (in combination with MMI navigation plus) is tilted toward the driver. With its black panel optics and framed in a graphite gray aluminum clasp, it almost disappears into the dashboard when switched off. The body supporting the clasp is itself a geometric sculpture. The display’s user interface appears as soon as the car is opened. In keeping with the interior design, the look is reduced and succinct. All screen content can be quickly registered.

    Control at your fingertips: MMI touch response control system and online voice control
    The new Audi A7 systematically continues the digitalization strategy of the A8. The interior architecture melds seamlessly with Audi’s new MMI touch response operating concept. It replaces the rotary pushbutton and the conventional buttons and controls of the previous model with two large, high-resolution touch displays.

    The driver controls the infotainment system from the upper display. Mounted on the asymmetric console of the center tunnel, the 8.6-inch lower display provides access to the climate control system, comfort functions and text input. Drivers can rest their wrist on the automatic transmission’s wide selector lever knob.

    Audi offers an optional head-up display that projects important information onto the windshield. MMI navigation plus also includes the Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch display.

    The MMI touch response operating concept features haptic and acoustic feedback and is as intuitive to use as a smartphone. Users hear and feel a click as confirmation when their finger triggers a function. With its logical and flat menu structure, the system allows fast access to the various vehicle functions, and it can also be personalized thanks to configurable and movable favorites buttons.

    The optional voice control in the new A7 Sportback makes operation even more convenient. With MMI navigation plus, the natural speech dialogue system processes questions and commands in two ways – with information stored onboard and at the same time with detailed knowledge from the cloud.

    Fully connected for more convenience and safety: infotainment and connect features
    With its comprehensive connectivity, the Audi A7 is perfectly equipped for long-distance touring. It offers customers more convenience, safety and customization options. The Gran Turismo features the same infotainment and connectivity range as the Audi A8. Up to seven drivers can store their preferred settings in individual user profiles. As many as 400 parameters can be personalized. The online services from Audi connect have been expanded. Additions include the traffic sign and hazard information Car-to-X services, which utilize the swarm intelligence of the Audi fleet.

    The new A7 Sportback comes standard with the MMI radio; MMI navigation and MMI navigation plus are available as options. There is a choice of four sound systems. The top version, the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, also delivers fascinating 3D sound to the rear seats.

    Intelligent and convenient: the Audi AI systems 
    With the AI button, the driver activates the Audi AI remote parking pilot and the Audi AI remote garage pilot, which will be made available at some point in 2018. They autonomously maneuver the A7 Sportback into and out of a parking space or garage. The driver can get out of the car before launching the function via the myAudi app on their smartphone. To monitor the maneuver, the driver presses and holds the Audi AI button the entire time. The central driver assistance controller (zFAS) merges the data from a sophisticated set of sensors to continually compute an image of the surroundings. Depending on the equipment level, there can be as many as five radar sensors, five cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner.

    Besides the Audi AI systems, the new A7 Sportback features a total of 39 driver assistance systems to make things easier for the driver. They are split up into three packages: the Audi AI parking package (gradual introduction beginning 2018), the City assist package with the new crossing assist, and the Tour assist package. The latter includes such things as the efficiency assistant, which facilitates a driving style conducive to reducing consumption, and the adaptive driving assistant (ADA), which supplements the adaptive cruise control (ACC) with helpful steering interventions to maintain the lane. All driver assistance systems feature improved control mechanisms.

    Handling and long-distance comfort: the chassis
    The new A7 further extends its synthesis of sportiness and comfort. The optional dynamic-all-wheel steering, the new electronic chassis program (ECP) – the central controller for the chassis – and the updated air suspension make it even more agile, nimble and comfortable. The A7 is thus the perfect Gran Turismo: dynamic and agile on twisty country roads, yet comfortable on long highway stretches.

    Many aspects of the front and rear axles have been developed from scratch. The standard progressive steering, whose generally sporty ratio becomes even more direct the further the steering wheel is turned, features a new concept for intensive road feedback. Mounted behind large wheels – up to 21 inches and 255/35 – with improved rolling comfort are aluminum fixed-caliper brakes with discs up to 400 millimeters (15.7 in) in diameter. Customers can choose between four suspension setups: a conventional steel spring suspension, the sport suspension that lowers ride height by 10 millimeters (0.4 in), electronically controlled damping and the self-leveling adaptive air suspension.

    The top chassis-related innovation is dynamic-all-wheel steering. It combines direct, sporty steering response with unshakable stability, resolving the conflict of aims between agility and comfort. The steering ratio varies as a function of speed between 9.5:1 and 16.5:1 by means of active steering interventions at the front and rear axle. At the front axle, strain wave gearing is used to superimpose these in response to the driver’s steering input. At the rear axle, a spindle drive turns the wheels by as much as 5 degrees. At low speed, they steer counter to the front wheels to further increase the agility of the big coupe when parking or driving in urban traffic, for example. This reduces the turning circle at full lock by 1.1 meters (3.6 ft). At 60 km/h (37.3 mph) and above, the rear axle steers in the same direction to increase straight-line stability and facilitate lane changes.

    The optional sport differential improves handing even further. It actively distributes drive torque between the rear wheels, complementing quattro all-wheel drive. Like dynamic-all-wheel steering, controlled damping and the adaptive air suspension, the sport differential is integrated into the control function of the electronic chassis platform (ECP). These systems are closely networked for maximum precision. The driver can use the Audi drive select system to activate different ride profiles featuring a more pronounced difference between comfort and sportiness than in the previous model.

    Broad-based electrification: mild hybrid system for greater comfort and efficiency
    All engines used in the A7 Sportback come standard with a new mild hybrid system (MHEV) for greater comfort and efficiency. With the two V6 engines, this uses a 48-volt primary electrical system. A belt alternator starter (BAS) works together with a lithium-ion battery and achieves a recuperation performance of up to 12 kW when braking. At speeds between 55 and 160 km/h (34.2 – 99.4 mph), the four-door coupe can coast in freewheeling mode with the engine deactivated and then restarted comfortably via the BAS.

    The start-stop function has been significantly expanded and now activates at 22 km/h (13.7 mph). In combination with the standard front camera, the engine is restarted predictively while at a standstill as soon as vehicle ahead begins to move. In real-world driving, the MHEV technology reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers.

    The new Audi A7 Sportback will initially launch with the 3.0 V6 TFSI. The sonorously understated V6 turbo produces 250 kW (340 hp) and 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft). The four-door coupe sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). In the NEDC, the base version of the Audi A7 55 TFSI consumes 6.8 liters of fuel (34.6 US mpg), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 154 grams (247.8 g/mi). The 3.0 TFSI is paired with a seven-speed S tronic. Its quattro drivetrain uses the efficient ultra technology that activates rear-wheel drive as needed. Additional six- and four-cylinder engines, both gasoline and diesel, will follow shortly after the start of production.

    The body concept: Coupé, Sedan and Avant in one
    The A7 Sportback combines the best of all worlds and is a dynamic all-around talent for business and recreation. It offers the design of a Coupé, the spaciousness of a Sedan and the variability of an Avant. The interior concept of the A7 Sportback impresses with more space and more comfortable seating – and that despite having a dynamic roofline. Compared with the previous model, interior length has increased 21 millimeters (0.8 in), resulting in more rear knee room. Rear passengers also enjoy more head room. The loading width has also increased compared with the previous model and now measures 1,050 millimeters (3.4 ft).

    Topping the range of all-new seats are the multi-adjustable, customized contour front seats with ventilation and massage. The configuration with individual rear seats (alternative: 2+1 bench) offers a plenty of space and comfort. New high-tech options make life with the Audi A7 Sportback even more comfortable and convenient. The air quality package improves interior air quality by means of fragrancing with subtle scents, an ionizer and an effective combination filter.

    The body, which features steel and aluminum composite construction with large components such as add-on parts made of aluminum, is a key factor in the improved handling and greater comfort. The four-door coupe scores top marks with respect to body stiffness, aeroacoustics and aerodynamics. The Gran Turismo spoils its passengers with improved acoustic comfort and – thanks to sophisticated aerodynamics – minimal wind noise.

    The improved panoramic glass sunroof with particularly large glass elements lets more light into the cabin. The heated windshield and wipers with integrated nozzles are additional options for more convenience.

    Despite the markedly dynamic lines, the luggage compartment has a base capacity of 535 liters (18.9 cu ft). This increases to 1,390 liters (49.1 cu ft) with the rear seats folded down. The luggage compartment has been optimized so that two golf bags now fit horizontally – in addition to the optional spare tire. The optional sensor-controlled rear hatch opens and closes automatically in response to a foot motion.

    The new Audi A7 Sportback rolls off the assembly line at the Neckarsulm site and will launch on the German market in late February 2018. The base price for the 55 TFSI quattro S tronic is 67,800 euros. 

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    1 hour ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

    Audi buyers don't want a Mercedes clone.  

    Very true- Audi is an 'anti-mercedes'.

    Problem is the brand is in real trouble with half their line-up; sales have evaporated in the US. I'm surprised there's going to be a new A7.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I don't like how Audi's grills continue to mount takeover of teh entire front end with each restyle. If that grill were split in half it'd be about perfect. Rest of the car looks, well like an A7, which is good.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    7 hours ago, balthazar said:

    Very true- Audi is an 'anti-mercedes'.

    Problem is the brand is in real trouble with half their line-up; sales have evaporated in the US. I'm surprised there's going to be a new A7.

    Well they sold almost 1.9 million cars globally last year, USA was only about 15 percent of that, I don't think they are too worried compared to many other automakers.  Since 2008 they have grown sales from 1 million to where they are now.   They can afford some niche sellers, they are not Cadillac selling 300k globally, almost all in China and the USA.

     

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I fell out of love very quickly with the 1st gen.

    I dont know if this generation is gonna get a chance to be liked by me. I need to see it in person because in pictures...I aint going for it.

    Im waiting for the A6...more specifically, the S6 and if we are lucky...the RS6 to lust over.

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • This is too funny and I HOPE HOPE HOPE Amazon moves forward with this as all the auto's on Amazon for sale will have a TRUMP TARIFF line that shows how much TARIFF tax they will pay. Trump’s ‘Pottery Barn rule’ problem
    • I don’t know if this vehicle, a Toyota Prius Hybrid HEV, represented an upgrade.  It’s just what I was assigned as a mid-size rented vehicle for 3 days.  I had a general idea that this vehicle was recently refreshed and that it looked a lot better.  As I got closer to it and got into it, I was able to get a better look.  The new Prius looks a lot better than I recall a Prius ever looking.  It looks sleek, sporty, and even sort of low-slung.  Interesting exterior features show that they made this a priority.  The front lights and fascia are thin and understated, working well with the more unified exterior.  The rear fascia is definitely Prius’s own and it gives the car some interesting, angled vantage points.  They even incorporated gullwing handles into the sedan’s rear doors and, having once had these in the last rendition of the W-body Buick Regal coupe, I like their look and just plain using them. Its low-slung aspect can present a slight demerit.  The windshield and profile of the front doors is very raked and, as a person of average height, I had to duck a little more than usual to enter the car.  Similarly, the rear backlite borders on almost being horizontal.  This does give the rear storage area a little more usable height. Inside, the front pillars’ rake is mitigated by fixed renditions of what used to be vent windows in older cars.  However, they still seem to block an instinctive sight line compared to more upright vehicles like the current Camry and Corolla.  Inside, the feeling is more cockpit-like.  Similarly, the rear view has the thicker pillars and flatter backlite that require more proactive work – looking over the shoulder attentively and using the amber traffic monitoring warnings in the outside mirrors.  A complementary feature is the chime that assisted lane changes. The Prius has a 4-cylinder engine that seems to spend more time in EV mode than did the hybrid Camry.  That means good fuel economy and, over 3 days, I only added 6 gallons for between 200 and 300 miles of motoring.  In terms of power, handling, and roadability, the Prius gets mixed comments from me.  It does have agility when the pedal is pressed and it moves from eco to power mode.  It also eases upward to higher than anticipated highway speeds if not paying attention!  The transmission is a CVT with a “faux” first gear and it works well.  The Prius has a more noticeable wheezing sound when in reverse gear, which actually advises those inside the car and near it.  However, when pushed, the powertrain gets buzzy, as in noisy.  But at steady speed, any engine noise is not that noticeable.  The vehicle’s handling, smoothness, and quietness vary.  Handling is always nimble and, even at highway speeds, it maneuvers adeptly.  The ride is mostly smooth.  However, noise control could use some improvement.  Some of that can come from the tires they equip the car with, fitted with aluminum wheels that hearken to the ones on Tesla products.  That said, it’s hard to tell if the drone is tire thum or wind.  However, if you prioritize handling among these, I was surprised to see how well the Prius handles … on the highway, on city streets, and even in tight parking spaces, where 3-point attempts are rarely necessary. The cockpit is unusual and very different from yesterday’s Priuses, which I’ve only seen and never driven or been a passenger in one.  I remember how the first model had an oval main instrument pod set up on the cowl in the middle of the dashboard but angled toward the driver.  Today’s Prius has thin and smaller pods, almost set on ledges that seem to staircase down as the cowl approaches the driver.  The main panel looks like a small tablet that is set quite far from the steering wheel.  Depending on how the wheel is titled, there could be some visibility issues seeing all the information.  This required adjusting the wheel and the seating height.  Also, the front seat can be very far from the pedals.  So, while the door is low, taller drivers might like this potential distance.  The infotainment center sits slightly forward of the main instrument screen and is conventionally placed atop the center stack.  Thankfully, it continues with touch operation as opposed to being operated via a remote dial.  Most functions are the ones you’ve known for a while, so setting things up doesn’t take long.  I did struggle a little with the Android Auto, even though the Bluetooth pairing was quick.  Note that, while the Camry has USB-C ports, the Prius does not.  Further down on the center stack, the climate control is easy to work with (not the 3-dial type that so many exports and even domestics have) and the A/C blows colder a little quicker than in the last Camry I drove.  The console deck is about the right height and its overall dimensions, including the box, are generous.  The compactness of the shift lever is sort of fun … think of a small underpowered low-cost EV Corvette! When going into gear, it’s not about moving the selector linearly.  A quick jog to the left and up toward the instrument panel is for reverse while that same quick jog followed by a rearward move puts the vehicle in drive.  It doesn’t take long to get used to this.  Also, the park feature is easy to work with.  Just push in P when stopped and, whether in reserve or drive, the gear selector goes to park.  The only thing is that it is not forgiving when shifting the lever … your foot must be firmly on the brake, so no slipshod maneuvers.  The seating is comfortable and the buckets seem a little high, but this offers support from top to bottom.  The same is true in the rear of the cabin and the headrests do intrude with an already thicker rear sail panel / C-pillar.  Legroom in the rear also seems good and the length of the vehicle allows for that.  Space is sensibly distributed in the 3 volumes from front to back. I always thought a Prius would have something daunting or different about it.  Its look is different in that it lost its first-gen look that looked like an upright Nissan Versa of 2016 … sort of like the runt of the litter that is on the run because it has been kicked in the rump.  This Prius looks planted.  Upon pushing the prominent and easy to use “power” button on the dash, there will be no noise and the dash will literally tell you when it, and you, are “ready” to go. It's a smaller but roomy vehicle where the price isn’t a bargain, but not that steep in today’s terms.  I find there are a few things that I wasn’t crazy about – the height, the main instrument pod sitting in the distance, and not the best noises suppression – but I liked most other things about it.  With so many Priuses going the long haul, this one will probably do the same … and look a lot more presentable while doing it. - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING  
    • I'm laughing.   There are always reasons why things are "discounted." With me, it's DFW and Austin that give me heartburn.  San Antonio, too, even though I don't know it as well.  I just don't like the look of the DFW area, whether natural or built.  I don't like Austin for being the governmental engine of a big red place next to a massive university with over 50,000 students that is a big blue place.  I'm more of a moderate and don't want extremes in either element.  I also don't like the "way cool" leanings in Austin. Houston has its negatives, but I'd take it for nearby Galveston, and water in general, the extensive pinewoods, the dark red brick homes, an attractive downtown, and for being America's most ethnically diverse city that has always rolled with that spirit.  There is no "you shouldn't be here" factor.  IIR, I've heard of a saying about Madrid that goes, 'When you're in Madrid, you're from Madrid.'  Having lived in various places, I pay attention to those subleties.
    • Very cool to see This Hyundai Ioniq 5 Owner Managed 413,991 Miles In Under Four Years, With One Big Catch
    • Removing tariffs that idiot47 caused so much pain with for getting nothing in return show how stupid a person can be in not understanding true business and how to negotiate.  A real man with Business sense would have put together a package of tariffs to present to China to address specific areas that are an imbalance not just attack everything and see what falls out. As such, incompetence in not understanding the long road map to building greatness shows how foolish the current administration is and now they are going to sign an exception list for the auto industry. Destroy good trading partners just to cause Chaos! Never a sound business strategy. Trump to Sign Order Later Tuesday Easing Auto Tariff Impact
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search