Audi A7 Reviews

The A8 and A6 models would fall into the category of "exec-express" vehicles and Audi calls the A7 Sportback an exec sports coupe.Coupe used to imply two doors and a liftback rump but that no longer seems to apply - Volkswagen does the Passat CC (soon to be just a CC).The E-Class-based Mercedes-Benz CLS shoved this style of car into the spotlight, but Audi took the liftback road perhaps as a point of difference to the Merc.BMW did the X6 - a mixed-marriage of an SUV and a coupe - but there's a reason why BMW sells at least six times as many X5s, as Forest Gump says, that's all I have to say about that.Regardless, we're in the A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI - the supercharged V6 petrol model with plenty of bling.ValueThe sticker price for the A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI is $147,800, so we're in deep-pocket territory.The standard car gets 19in alloy wheels with 255/40 rubber, power-adjustable folding mirrors, powered tailgate, automatic rear spoiler, power-adjustable driver's seat, leather trim, automatic bi-xenon leadlights, LED running lights, quad-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, a multi-function sports steering wheel with paddleshifters.The standard infotainment system is has Bluetooth phone and audio link, with the Audi-specific connection for iPods, USB storage media and MP3 players, satnav, hard drive for map and music storage and a top-notch Bose 14-speaker surround sound system.The test car also has adaptive cruise control, stop-start fuel saver system and the blind spot warning system ($4850), $1000 worth electric steering adjustment, LED headlights with automatic high beam (a $2700 extra), the head-up display (for $3400), metallic (pearl effect) paint for $2300, digital TV (for $3180) and soft-closing doors for $1450.The big, black A7 also had the $7900 S line Sports package, which adds 20in Audi alloy wheels with 265/35 tyres to fill the wheelarches nicely, sport suspension and sports-styled front seats, an S line multifunction sports steering wheel, upgraded Valcona leather trim and aluminium trim bits, all up the as-tested price is $182,040.TechnologyThe drive comes from the brand's smooth, quiet and impressive supercharged direct-injection three-litre DOHC variable intake valve V6 that we've seen in the S4, albeit with 245kW. The A7 has 220kW on tap between 5250 and 6500 rpm, with 440Nm of torque between 2900 and 4500 rpm, headed for the wheels via a seven-speed twin-clutch auto.The V6 has a stop-start fuel saver system and a driving mode set-up to change the car's driving characteristics, although if you really want to do that there's the optional adaptive air suspension. The A7 also has active cruise control with stop and go function, which holds a set speed when on a clear road (regardless of terrain) and follows traffic at a set distance down to standstill.The all-wheel drive system on the A7 was optioned up to include the sports differential (for $2570) which actively plays with the drive between the rear wheels to best effect, firing the beefy four-door out of bends with gusto.The quattro all-wheel drive system already endows the big coupe the ability to vary the drive between front and rear, with as much as 70 percent able to go forward and up to 85 percent to the rear.DesignThere's no doubting the designers in Ingolstadt are earning their keep - cranking out some vehicles with presence and attitude. The A7 has a broad, bold stance, made even more aggressive by the optional wheels filling out the guards. With the optional LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, there's no missing it at night either.The hatchback rear doesn't stand up to scrutiny - it's broad in the hips and a bit droopy in the tail, although it still manages 535 litres of shallow and long cargo space, rising to 1390 litres with the seats folded. For such a large machine the cabin space is not cavernous - the front occupants won't feel hemmed in but rear passengers won't want to be tall, as head and legroom isn't copious.SafetyThe safety features list is extensive, although there's no NCAP rating as yet but five stars would be a good bet you'd think, given it has the Presense accident prep safety system, dual front, seat-mounted side, full-length side-curtain for front and rear passengers.There's also anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and emergency brake assist, stability and traction control, tyre pressure monitoring display, active headlights (standard bi-xenon or optional LEDs) and the optional night vision with pedestrian detection for $4890.DrivingDressed in a black hue, the A7 Sportback, at least from the front, has authority and arrogance about its broad road stance. With LEDs galore and the broad-shouldered presence, there's no mistaking it for anything other than an Audi.Getting to grips with it from behind the wheel, you're a little conscious of the girth early on - helped by cameras and radar front and rear in a carpark situation.Despite its size there's pace a-plenty - 100km/h comes up in 5.6 seconds and it has a governed 250km/h top speed - and the clever all-wheel drivetrain comes into its own on the bendy bits, despite the near-tow-tonne kerb weight.Sling the Sportback through a series of bends and the average ride quality from low-profile rubber and sports suspension becomes less of an issue.On a sweeping country road the A7 has grip a-plenty and turns in surprisingly well, sitting flat in the corner and then firing out far quicker than you expect for something that is not far off two tonnes - the clever diff under the bum does wonders for corner exits.The two seated in the back might not have oodles of room but the seats are comfortable and there's dual-zone climate control in the rear. There's plenty to like about the Sportback but while some like the coupe lines, I'd be more inclined to stump up for an A6 sedan and spend the considerable difference on some options.Audi A7 SportbackPrice: from $147,800Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmResale:  47 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)Service interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: n/a starSpare: space-saverEngine: 3-litre supercharged direct-injection V6, 220kW/440NmTransmission: 7-speed twin-clutch automated manual; AWDBody: 5m (L); 1.9m (w); 1.4m (h)Weight: 1770kgThirst: 8.21/100km, on test 13, tank 75 litres; 190g/km CO2 

The script for the Audi A7 reads suspiciously like that for the A5. Maybe that's because in essence the A7 Sportback is the same car, only on a slightly larger scale.DESIGNThe A7 Sportback is a looker, but lacks the perfect dimensions of the smaller A5. With four doors, four seats and a lift back that hides a deep but shallow luggage area, the Sportback looks more like a coupe than a sedan and that is the idea.Bridging the A6 and A8 models, the A7 is almost five metres in length but sits long and low and doesn't have a big car feel.With two seats in the rear, instead of a bench, there's plenty of legroom in the back, but the sloping roof reduces the amount of headroom, despite scooped out sections of roof. Hit a big bump and it could be painful.PRICEAt a starting price of $142,750 the A7 is $52,000 more than the equivalent A5 Sportback - or about the cost of an A4 sedan.It's very well equipped, and a 600 watt, 14-speaker Bose sound system is standard but if you take your audio seriously there is a 1200 watt Bang and Olufsen job that adds $12,350.Then of course there's the S-Line package that starts at $7900 and includes 20 inch wheels.ENGINE AND MECHANICALTwo engines are available initially, a supercharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 and a 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 - both of which can be found in other models. Both engines offer thermal management, stop-start technology and energy recovery. At this stage there's no V8, no coupe and no sign of an S or RS7 version - but if Audi remains true to form they will follow.The supercharged V6 pumps out 220kW of power and 440Nm from 2900 revs, does the dash from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds and uses 8.2 litres of fuel per 100km. The turbodiesel delivers 180kW of power, 500Nm of torque from 1400 revs, does the dash in 6.5 seconds and uses just 6.0 litres/100km. With the diesel $5000 less, I know which one I'd be opting for.Audi's twin-clutch, seven-speed S-tronic transmission is standard along with all-wheel drive. This all-wheel drive system features a crown-gear centre differential and advanced torque vectoring. Drive select is standard and allows the driver to dial in three different styles of driving, or leave the system to work it out automatically. A7 Sportback sits on the same platform as the new A6 but thanks to extensive use of aluminium, is only about 50kg heavier than the A5.DRIVINGWith a big road hugging footprint, the A7 exhibits plenty of grip and stability. When pushing hard, however, you are reminded of the car's bulk as it attempts to run wide in corners. Riding on 18 inch alloys (19s in the case of the supercharged model), the A7 Sportback accelerates briskly, cruises easily and has plenty of poke for overtaking.A pop up rear spoiler deploys automatically at a speeds above 130km/h to increase the downforce on the rear wheels. But with our national limit, it is unlikely to be seen very often, except for the provision of a manual deploy button.AUDI A7Price: From $142,750 (3.0 TDI) to $147,800 (3.0 TFSI) plus on-road costsEngine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel; 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrolPower/torque: 220kw/440Nm (supercharged V6 petrol), 180kw/500Nm (turbo diesel v6)Transmission: Seven-speed double-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive

WE turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering  would you buy one.What is it?This is Audi's big, four-door, four-seat "Coupe", a car you'd buy if the A8 limo was too big or didn't offer enough panache. A7 comes only in V6 guise - petrol and diesel and has a seven-speed auto with quattro all wheel drive as standard.How much?The supercharged petrol variant we drove is $147,800. The diesel is a bit less.What are the competitors?Mercedes-Benz CLS is a direct competitor and maybe that awful BMW 5-Series GT hunchback. Lexus GS perhaps.What's under the bonnet?This one gets a 3.0-litre, direct injection, supercharged, petrol V6 with variable valve timing on the inlet side and twin intercoolers. It's good for 220kW/440Nm output - fairly conservative when you consider the technology at play here. There's a twin-clutch seven-speed "manumatic" offering slick gear changes with performance and economy gains.How does it go?Really well with the 0-100kmh sprint passing in a scant 5.6 seconds. Roll-on acceleration from highway speeds is strong and it's quick out of the gate too. Makes pretty much no noise and is smooth as silk.Is it economical?Well, that depends on the right foot as always. Audi claims 8.2-litres/100km, we got close.Is it `Green?'Yep, passes Euro 5 emissions regulations and has energy saving technology like engine stop/start and regenerative braking functions.Is it safe?Five stars, a super strong body 30 per cent in aluminium, the rest in high strength steel. Has eight air bags as far as we can tell, stability control - the works. Optional safety features include radar controlled cruise and other stuff.Is it comfortable?Supremely especially with the three mode drive select system, we went for dynamic but "comfort" is supple and smooth.What's it like to drive?Loved it. Big and stylish, crammed with luxury goodies including a brilliant Multi Media Interface system with a huge info screen and clever satnav. Audio is a Bose 14 speaker system, can't see why you spend more on the optional B&O system. We cruised on the freeway, took it down a winding mountain road and commuted - all excellent. The paddle shift is handy, the brakes are up to the 1770kg task and the thing corners like a sporty sedan once you dial it in.Is it value for money?Tax, tax, tax - ouch. Value is good against its direct rivals especially when you consider you are getting all wheel drive AND torque vectoring (power delivery to each wheel monitored electronically). Plenty of kit - glass sunroof, xenons, auto headlights and wipers, leather, electric seats, 19 -inch alloys, four zone climate control, Bluetooth. Wrap around dash is among the best around.Would we buy one?Yes, love the looks, the performance, the features, safety, pity about the exhaust note. Swoopy good looks from Audi A7.

THE large luxury sedan has slipped off shopping lists and everyone is climbing straight into pretend off-roaders.Everyone, that is, except for a few hold-outs who buy pseudo-coupes instead. This is a segment that used to be called Jaguar. But about the time Jaguar stopped producing low-slung, four-doors cars and began making Mercedes S-Classes, Mercedes came up with the CLS.The CLS is an E-Class in designer gear with a swing in its step. Less roomy than a real E-Class, it relied on its racy looks to sell. From the rear, it looked like a Ford AU Falcon, but no one told the rest of the world so it was a success.The CLS effectively gave Mercedes two bites at the large sedan market for the price of one. Unsurprisingly, it liked the idea so much it will launch another one later this year.Everyone else has been racing to catch up with what carmakers like to refer to as four-door coupes. That's a contradiction in terms - coupes have two doors - but it's nothing a marketing department can't live with.Two years ago, Porsche joined in with the Panamera. Last year, it was the turn of Aston Martin with the Rapide and BMW with the 5 Series GT. Even Jaguar realised it had taken a wrong turn and made its new XJ more like the 1960s original in spirit.For cars that rely so heavily on replicating the curvy appeal of a coupe but with more doors, it's astonishing that good looks are in such short supply. The Panamera is simply too big to be a pretend 911. The 5 Series GT looks good from the front but frumpy from every other angle, while the Rapide, although the slinkiest of the lot, cannot match the lovely proportions of an Aston two-door.Jaguar's solution for the XJ was radical, but it has taken a bunch of Italians to show it what could have been done. Audi, with the A7, is the latest to join this stampede.DESIGNLike the others, the A7 has top-drawer fittings and technology in an elongated shape with a hatchback instead of a boot. It sits beneath the flagship A8 in Audi's range and above the A6. Audi says it combines ''the sporty elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon''. So, like the others, it's trying to be a jack-of-all-trades. Give or take a millimetre, it's as long as a Panamera and the same height, although not as wide.Without seeing them side by side, it doesn't appear as bulky as the Porsche and sits towards the Aston end of the attractiveness scale. It's like a scaled-up A5 with more presence. As usual, the face is the easiest bit to get right and Audi has slightly varied its fallback headlight and grille shapes to good effect. But the designers were so committed to drawing the cabin in a single line that the tail ends up looking too long and fat. A curious single ''brow'' runs over the rear lights and defines the trailing edge.Also at the rear is a speed detector, otherwise known as an automatically deploying spoiler that's set to rise at 130km/h. Try talking your way out of that one.One benefit of the shape is an extremely long cargo area. You can even extend it by folding the rear seats. Audi says it can swallow 535 litres of luggage or 1390 litres with the seats down.It's shallow at the loading lip, though, so not as flexible and accommodating as the numbers suggest. The hatchback itself is heavy, despite being aluminium, so power is standard and the hinges are huge.INTERIORPotentially, the cabin shape could make rear headroom tight, although Audi has solved this with deep recesses in the roof. It's cosy and seating is strictly for four.The cabin follows the recent A8 by having a bit more flair than we're used to seeing in an Audi. There's a thin veneer strip that curves around the base of the windscreen, just like in an XJ. The A7 gets the A8's toys, including a touchpad control that shows Audi isn't scared of gimmicks.Debut technology includes a head-up display, unfortunately not on the cars I drove but already sampled in numerous BMWs. Despite its motto and hi-tech image, Audi is generally the last of the three Germans to adopt the latest safety or convenience systems. The A7 gets it up to speed on equipment such as night vision and the latest active cruise control, which can resume cruising from standstill.TECHNOLOGYThe car's underpinnings are shared with the new A6, which arrives in July, although many of the other mechanicals are familiar. The Quattro system debuted on the RS5 and features a rear-drive bias and the dynamic trick du jour for performance brands: torque vectoring. This redistributes power across a single axle for improved cornering. If you pay extra, there's a sports differential and adaptive air springs instead of steel. The transmission is a seven-speed double-clutch unit with stop-at-idle technology and both the engines are direct injection with forced induction: turbocharging for the diesel, supercharging for the petrol.The diesel unit is the older of the two but has been usefully upgraded and can still cut it with excellent torque and lively high-revving character. It doesn't sound as good as its BMW or Mercedes equivalents, but it's not unpleasant and largely muted here anyhow. Fuel consumption is an impressive 6.0 litres per 100km. The supercharged petrol is an alert engine with hair-trigger throttle response, making the car feel more alive and a little less weighty in the nose. It's nearly a second quicker to 100km/h, at 5.6 seconds, and not as thirsty as you may think at 8.2 litres per 100km.DRIVINGLarge Audis can be a let-down on the road and initially, at least, this one feels heavy and uncertain in its suspension movements, with the front and rear so far apart that it seems as though they're reacting to turn in at different times.However, it improves with a little more familiarity, sport mode, and a lot more speed.Before long, it has shed some of its 1.8 tonnes and is coming alive in the long-flowing corners that dominated the test route in Tasmania.This is thanks in no small part to the steering. It's a new electric system and the best I've sampled on an Audi outside of its most focused sports cars.Judging ride quality on unfamiliar roads is a trap for the unwary. Audi claims to have employed a unique ''comfort test bench'' in the A7's development to finesse this aspect of the car. I couldn't help but wonder, gratuitously of course, whether this was a euphemism on a par with ''Hollywood casting couch''. Suffice to say the ride was better on the smaller alloys and a bit suspect on the large 20-inchers.Twenty-inch wheels are the platform heels of the motoring world and cars such as the A7 are designer clothing made XXL.Despite this, it's a classy and sharply priced pitch at the executive barge market. It's also more interesting to look at and to drive than I was expecting. It would tempt me away from any SUV and, dollar for dollar, most of its rivals.AUDI A7Body: Large luxury hatchbackEngine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel; 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrolPower/torque: 180kW at 4000rpm and 500Nm at 1400rpm (3.0 TDI); 220kW at 5250rpm and 440Nm at 2900rpm (3.0 TFSI)Transmission: Seven-speed double-clutch automatic, all-wheel drivePrice: From $142,750 (3.0 TDI) to $147,800 (3.0 TFSI) plus on-road costs

The A7 Sportback is on sale in Australia in diesel and petrol V6 guises, the former being turbocharged and the latter getting the supercharger. The four-seater will be sold under the "Imagination Meets Engineering" banner and is expected to contribute a small part - perhaps just 200 units - as well as being an image leader for the German brand.With a starting price of $142,750 for the three-litre turbodiesel V6 and $147,800 for the three-litre supercharged V6 petrol model, there's no cheap-and-cheerful marketing campaign likely - particularly when the options list can be ticked to push the pricetag close to $200,000 by the time one hits the road.But standard fare includes the adaptive suspension, the basic pre-sense accident avoidance system, satnav and 18in wheels on the diesel (19in on the supercharged model) and automatic adaptive xenon headlights - full LED headlights are an option.Also on offer is a glass sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, folding exterior mirrors, an automatic bootlid, quad-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, leather trim, a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, electric-adjustable front seats with memory on the driver's pew.The infotainment system runs via a fold-out satnav screen and switchgear mirroring the A6 and A8, including the latter's touchpad set-up, with Bluetooth connectivity for music and phone to the hard-drive equipped Bose 14-speaker surround-sound system.Built on the new A6 platform, the A7 Sportback boasts aluminium construction to keep weight under 1800kg, with a long wheelbase and short overhangs.The seven-speed double-clutch automatic is teamed with a Stop-Start fuel saver function and the big four seater gets the clever quattro all wheel drive system that apportions drive 40 front/60 rear (with the ability to split 70/30 r 15/85).The crown-gear centre differential - first seen in the RS 5 coupe - and torque vectoring can be upgraded with the optional sports rear differential for torque splitting between the rear wheels.It's certainly a niche product ,but Audi says its aiming for the class of the sedan, with the sporty athletic lines of the coupe and the cargo capacity and interior flexibility of a wagon - it all adds up to a muscular road stance.The look is unmistakably Audi, although from the rear the squat, flattened rump is perhaps not as attractive as the sculpted flanks and snout. The cabin is brimmed with top-grade leather, aluminium or wood trim, installed in a typically first-rate manner.The list of technology is extensive, starting with the basic pre-safe system (which can be optioned to the full-auto braking level with active cruise control) and the (also optional) night vision with pedestrian recognition on the list as well.The airbag list includes the driver and front passenger, side airbags front and rear and a full-length curtain airbag. There are also anti-lock brakes, stability control, an electronic differential lock, tyre pressure monitoring and parking sensors teamed with a reversing camera.First up was the 220kW/440Nm three-litre supercharged V6, which does an admirable job of pushing the 1770kg plus occupants vehicle up winding mountain roads. Firing out of corners can sometimes see the electronic stability systems flash briefly, but the clever quattro system switches drive fore and aft, as well as side to side at the rear, to good effect.The V6 feels most at home in the mid-range of the tacho, when there's plenty of grunt on offer, but the car driven on the launch suffered a strange high-pitched wind howl, something not found on other vehicles.The seven-speed auto has a quick shift and the Sports mode has enough smarts to make the paddles an indulgence rather than mandatory. The adaptive suspension in auto mode is capable of good body control and decent (if on the firm side) ride quality, which doesn't degrade when the Dynamic mode is selected.The roll control and handling is composed and balanced, feeling lighter on its feet than the kerb weight suggests; the steering has nice weighting but could do with more feedback.Switching to the diesel and immediately the refinement of the turbodiesel package is apparent, as is the strong in-gear surge from the V6, which would be the best pick for an all-rounder.Tyre noise - particularly on coarse bitumen - was a downside in both cars, something which may have been more apparent due to the lack of wind and engine noise.Front room was as you'd expect from a vehicle of this size, but rear headroom is limited by the swoopy roofline.As has been the case with many - but not all - Audis, steering is well-weighted but lacking in feel, which can take some time with which to get accustomed.A well-planted cruiser that drives more confidently than expected.

Another week, another Audi ­­­- though the latest version to emerge in the German carmaker's almost manic quest to have 42 distinct variants on sale by 2015 is among its most visually striking to date.The A7 Sportback is a physical and logical extension of the equivalent A5, with which it shares two drivetrains and takes the luxury "five door coupe" design language to its fullest extent. Crucially, the A7 shares its underpinnings with the forthcoming new generation A6 sedan and wagon that, while successful elsewhere in the world, is a feeble sales performer in Australia.Aside from being a designer's delight and an alternative to cars as diverse as Mercedes-Benz's CLS and Porsche's Panamera, the A7s we drove in Sardinia last week bode well for the A6 and suggest Audi Australia might at last have a challenger in more than name to the massively dominant E-Class and 5 Series.DESIGNIn a word, stunning. If the A7 photographs captivatingly, its physical presence is overpowering. People stop and stare.For all the talk of a "practical coupe", this is unapologetically an exercise in form over function. And for all its imposing dimensions (4.9m long by 1.9m wide) the A7 is only 1.4m high and houses four seats, though with 535 litres rear seats up/1360 down (accessible via an electronic hatch), its load space is capacious.The more candid Audi folk smilingly call this a "styling decision". In other words they've done it because it looks great. The cutting edge shape is enhanced by a body-length tornado line almost sharp enough to draw blood, a reshaped single frame grille and a new line of daytime running lights. From the pert sloping rear hatch, a wing automatically raises at 130km/h - which means that it'll never be seen on an Australian road. Right?As bold as it looks without, the interior statement is even more successful, with its cosseting, wraparound cockpit feel. Audi's inside story is as seductively class leading as ever, the option of a high quality wood finish a welcome and warm departure from the usual leather and metal look.While, unlike the smaller A5 Sportback, taller adults can sit in the A7's rear pews without removing their heads or legs, the driver can barely see out back of the thing and the rear windows do not wind down.VALUEIf your idea of bliss is a marriage of luxury feel and drop dead looks, then this is money well spent - whatever the sum. With local release not due for six months, Audi Australia is in negotiation with headquarters over specification and price.Common sense points to it sitting above the rest of the A6 range and beneath A8 - so a $150,000-$160,000 starting point is our educated guestimate.  What's certain is that Australia gets quattro all wheel drive and seven speed S tronic dual clutch automated transmission as standard, along with a start-stop system and energy recovery.A Bose sound system is also standard, as is Valcona leather and either wood grain or aluminum finish,  MMI navigation with touchpad and 8-inch display, convenience key, a three spoke steering wheel with shifting paddles and four zone air conditioning.Options include quattro sport differential at about $3000, sports air suspension, which is an extra $2200 in the new A8 sedan, side assist, adaptive cruise control, Bang and Olufsen sound system, and an S line sport package with lowered suspension, 19-inch alloys, sports seats and bespoke trim. The brand's first self-reverse parking function is also on the options list, but its first heads up display is a possible standard fixture.TECHNOLOGYAside from the fruit mentioned above, the A7's tech highlights are its excellent engines. The ones we'll see are familiar. The 3.0 TDI six cylinder turbo diesel is good for 180kW/500Nm, 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds while using six litres of the good oil per 100km on the combined cycle. Its petrol companion 3.0 TFSI uses the supercharged V6 form the S5 Sportback that packs 220kW/440Nm, a 5.6 second sprint time and uses 8.2 litres of 98 RON per 100km.A version with the 2.8 naturally aspirated V6 from the current A6 is under discussion.  The use of aluminum sheeting on the door bonnet and hatch, and cast aluminum keeps weight down, so that even with AWD, auto transmission and diesel donk, the TDI is 1770kg unladen, the TFSI 1695.The standard quattro varies torque constantly between front and rear axles and brakes the inside wheels in hard cornering. The optional sports differential actively manages torque between wheels. The stop start function, new to this transmission, switches the engine off when fully halted, resuming when the accelerator is pressed.SAFETYThe five star crash safety rating is a given with the full raft of active and passive safety features including ABS, ESP. There are airbags for the driver and passenger, at the front, side and curtains.  Active cruise control and side assist are among the likely options.But as visible as the lane filling A7 is, LED lights ablaze, the driver doesn't ensconced in those high sills and thick pillars. Vast wing mirrors and reversing camera compensate for the mail slit of rear window. The spare is a space saver.DRIVINGThe A7 doesn't alter those Audi inevitabilities. You know them by now: BMW provides a sharper drive, a Merc will likely ride better in our patch of the planet, and the steering cries out for more feel.But Audi's growing army of customers could care less. Treat the A7 as a grand tourer with infusions of sport and you're on the right track - though preferably a wide track with a seamless surface.The TFSI, especially when equipped with the air suspension to compliment its adjustable steering, throttle and accelerator response, is a surprisingly agile and abundantly responsive drive, very much a bigger brother to the S5. The diesel, with all its extra weight over the front axle is more obviously the GT of the two, though far from disgraced when going through the third and second gear bends, its massive and immediately accessible torque almost enough in itself to win the day on straights, to say nothing of its greater cruising range.And carp as we might about the weighting of the steering wheel in any mode, the new electro-mechanical system is linear and progressive. Ever more sophisticated, quattro is seamless and confidence enhancing, a boon to safety and dynamics. Brakes abet the cause, with the just the right combination of progression and bite.VERDICTLooks and feels the goods.  70/100AUDI A7 SPORTBACKPrice: from $150,000 (est)Engines: 3.0 litre V6 turbo diesel (180kW/500Nm); 3.0 litre supercharged V6 petrol (220kW/440Nm)Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch autoThirst: 6l/100km (diesel); 8l/100km (petrol)RIVALSMercedes-Benz CLS (from $150,000)Porsche Panamera (from $193,000)BMW 5 Series GT ($143,000)