A new 60mpg V6 TDI ultra model is just one of the highlights of the new generation Audi A7 Sportback range,
which has also been refreshed by other new engine configurations, plus new transmissions, new headlights and tail lights and upgraded infotainment systems. The latest incarnation of the multi-talented five-door with the emotional appeal of a coupe, the comfort of a saloon and the practicality of an Avant estate will arrive with its first UK customers in the last quarter of 2014.
Back when the A7 Sportback first debuted in 2010, Audi was already setting new standards in automotive design. Its long bonnet, flowing C-pillars and steeply raked rear end create a dynamic overall impression which has been amplified further in the new generation car by a raft of styling revisions.
The most striking changes are to the single frame grille, which adopts the latest hexagonal design, to the bumpers, which have been subtly resculpted, and to the tailpipes, which now have wider, trapezoidal apertures. LED headlamps also now complement the A7 Sportback’s familiar LED daytime running lights as standard, and can be further enhanced by Matrix LED headlights.
By quite literally forming a beam using a matrix of individual Light Emitting Diodes, these advanced units can provide optimal lighting by dimming specific individual diodes to divert their pool of light around oncoming and following traffic without reducing their intensity in other areas. Dynamic indicators with a sweeping function in the direction of the turn are also standard at the rear and optional for the front light units.
The body of the new Audi A7 Sportback consists primarily of aluminium and high-tech steel grades. It is extraordinarily lightweight and designed for maximum comfort in terms of noise. The cargo space under the long, electrically powered tailgate has a base capacity of 535 litres. When the rear seat backs are folded down this increases to 1,390 litres.
The sleek sophistication of the exterior is echoed in the car’s interior. The dominant element is the horizontal line surrounding the driver and passenger. The dashboard gives an impression of lightness and elegance which is now further enhanced by new interior materials, including aluminium/Beaufort walnut inlays. The colour palette has been revised, and now offers additional colour options now extending to include the Valcona leather upholstery available as an upgrade to the standard Milano leather in versions below the S line. In S line versions, which previously featured Valcona leather exclusively in black as standard, a Lunar silver option is also now offered.
The front seats can be optionally equipped with ventilation and massage functions, and there are four seat versions to choose from. The MMI radio plus operating system is standard and can be supplemented as an option with a head-up display that projects all important information onto the windscreen.
