Audi A7 Sportback 2012 review

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.

DESIGN

The 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.

Explore the 2012 Audi A7 range

• Audi A7 Sportback 2012 review
• Audi A7 2012 review

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.

PRICE

At 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 MECHANICAL

Two 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.

DRIVING

With 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 A7

Price: From $142,750 (3.0 TDI) to $147,800 (3.0 TFSI) plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel; 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol
Power/torque: 220kw/440Nm (supercharged V6 petrol), 180kw/500Nm (turbo diesel v6)
Transmission: Seven-speed double-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive