Audi has just revealed the production version of the second-generation A7 Sportback.
Rather than the Russian doll approach adopted by Audi in recent years, this new five-door coupé is one of the freshest-looking models in a long time to wear the four-ringed badge.
Audi says the A7 Sportback brings together progressive design and technology and going off what they’ve shown so far, only the unreasonable would disagree.
The car’s exterior design employs large surfaces, sharp edges and taut, athletic lines to create a dynamic and envelope-pushing look from every perspective.
The front-end boasts a single-frame grille that is wider and lower than that of the A8, as well as bold air inlets and narrow headlights made up of 12 adjacent lighting segments separated by narrow intervening spaces.
At 4,969mm long, the A7 Sportback stretches for 36mm more than the A8, and it is 34mm wider (1,908mm) and 14mm taller (2,926mm).
Only one engine has been confirmed so far: a powerful three-litre V6 TFSI petrol, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. With 335bhp at its disposal, this A7 Sportback can shoot from nought to 62mph in 5.3 seconds with a top speed of 155mph. The entry-level model will be able to return 41.5mpg whilst emitting 154g/km of CO2.
A number of six- and four-cylinder engines, both petrol and diesel, will join the range shortly after production begins, and every engine offered in the A7 Sportback will feature a mild hybrid system that uses a 48-volt primary electrical system with a belt alternator starter and a lithium-ion battery to achieve a recuperation performance of up to 12kW when braking.
The cabin adopts the same reduced, clean design language as the exterior, achieving an airy spaciousness due to an emphasis on horizontal lines and a sleek instrument panel.
The 10.1-inch upper display is tilted towards the driver, and with its black panel optics and graphite grey aluminium clasp, the display almost disappears into the dashboard when switched off.
Prices will begin from £56,000 on the road and you will be able to order an A7 Sportback from early 2018, with the first models reaching initial customers from March.
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