2018 Audi A7 Sportback – Review
The target market hasn’t changed from the previous years as the “Elite class sedan with its sporty features” while offering a “Futuristic lounge atmosphere” as Audi likes to put it. The A7 is confined selection of trims from the Premium Plus and Prestige package, which are available with the S-Line package.
I’ve always been a fan of the A7s styling, pushing boundaries with the diving rear end, which they’ve kept with the newest generation. The main exterior change Audi has revealed is the wide gaping front grill, headlights, and taillights, which give the car an even more aggressive look than it already had. The taillights stretch across the entire trunk, just below the hidden spoiler (which automatically rises once reaching 75 mph). A three headlight systems are up for grabs, with the flagship Matrix LED System using Audi’s laser light technology.
The interior has been stripped of its buttons and dials and is now replaced with an 8.6” touchscreen in the center console; alongside the 10.1” media/navigation screen above it, with the digital speedometer. The sheik interior design in previous A7s has always been appealing and never distracting, but many have had complaints about the view out the rear window, due to the sloping roof. Drivers end up seeing the eyes of the backseat passengers rather than the headlights of trailing cars.
Available with up to 10 airbags for extra safety. It comes standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) that works with the Quattro All-Wheel Drive system to detect loss of traction and provide braking to avoid unnecessary body motion or slip. All models come standard also with ABS. If you’re feeling over the whole “driving” thing while behind the wheel, Audi has fitted adaptive cruise control, night vision, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Audi has revealed the 3.0L supercharged V6, where as the RS7 comes with a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 that growls out 605bhp and 553lb-ft of torque to throw you from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. The A7 six banger will belt out 340bhp and 325 lb/ft of torque that gives you a more subtle 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. It is connected to a 48-volt hybrid system which allows the start-stop system kick in at 13mph. With a redundant (my opinion) 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, all this comes together to provide the driver with an apparent 12L/100 km combined figure.
Audi supplies the A7 with a warranty of 4years/80,000km from the vehicles in-service date and covers defects in material and workmanship, a 12year/unlimited mileage corrosion perforation warranty, an emissions warranty, and an 8year/160,000km high voltage battery warranty.
Considering the only changes in the new generation are the mean looking front end and the interior is riddled with touch screens, there isn’t much of a change in driveability from the previous years model. The hood doesn’t feel as long as it looks when behind the wheel. For someone who drives a truck as their main vehicle, the earlier models didn’t have a feeling of being too low to the ground. Never felt a problem with blind-spots, and when driving alone, the view out the rear window was decent. The 2018 stunner is a few cm shorter, which makes it much more appropriate for city driving (not that it wasn’t before.) Similar to the years prior they’ve been a great drive, smooth on the most uneven roads, handles itself around corners well, and when you put your foot down, it is completely stable.
The A7 has quietly, but not completely, been overlooked when being compared to its opposition in my opinion. The M6, CLS and the Panamera are its competitors who are fitting. Four door sporty sedans that push you into your seat when you want it too while pulling a few neck muscles with their stance. Biased aside, the CLS is the favorite, Panamera clawing its way to the top year after year with its redesign, and the M6 sticking to a winning recipe. In regards to the 2018 A7 Audi is done being overlooked.
Key Features:
- Starting at $82, 300
- Twin-turbo 4.0L V8 producing 605bhp and 8-speed transmission
- Ten standard airbags
- 12L per 100 km combined city/highway
