The second-generation Audi A7 has been revealed on the roof of the company’s new design studios in Ingolstadt, Germany.
Two engine variants were on display at the car’s launch today, a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel (50 TDI) and a 3.0-litre turbo V6 petrol (55 TFSI).
Only the petrol V6 has been detailed so far, with the 3.0-litre unit featuring 250kW of power and 500Nm of torque. Paired as standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission and all-wheel drive, it’s officially good for a 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h.
Four-cylinder petrol and diesel options will be offered not long after the car goes into production, and all engines types will be fitted with a mild-hybrid system.
For the V6 models, this includes an 48V electrical system, a belt alternator starter and a lithium-ion battery. This mild-hybrid setup can put the car into coasting mode between 55 and 160km/h, and activate automatic engine start/stop at speeds up to 22km/h.
No word yet on how much the latest A7 weighs, but its body is constructed from a mixture of steel and aluminium.
The new A7 measures 4969mm long, 1908mm wide, 1422mm tall, and sits on a 2926mm wheelbase. Compared to the first-generation model, the second-gen model is 5mm shorter, 2mm narrower, 2mm taller, and rides on a 12mm longer wheelbase. Audi claims the new car has an additional 21mm of interior length.
As with the first-generation model, the new A7 features a liftback at the rear. It opens to reveal a boot capable of swallowing 535 litres worth of gear, or 1390L with the rear seats folded down.
The latest A7 can be bought in either four- or five-seat configurations.
Features available in the new model include an air ioniser, air fragrances, panoramic glass sunroof, a pop-up rear spoiler, heated windscreen, wipers with integrated nozzles, a top-shelf Bang & Olufsen surround sound system, matrix LED headlamps, laser light high beam units, and a four-zone climate control system.
The car can also be specified with 10mm lower sports suspension or adaptive air suspension, all-wheel steering, a sports differential, wheels up to 21 inches in diameter, and an S-line package with more aggressive diffusers, sills, grille and air intakes.
The Audi AI system of up to five radar sensors, five cameras, a laser scanner, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a central control unit is an option on the new A7, and allows the car to be parked autonomously whether the driver is inside or outside the vehicle.
Interestingly there is no mention of level three autonomous driving, which is part of the AI package in the larger A8.
Like the latest A8, the new A7 features an interior design with clean, simple lines. Outside of the steering wheel, buttons and dials have been pared back to the bare minimum thanks to the new MMI Touch Response system, which features two touchscreens in the centre of the dashboard.
The upper 10.1-inch display controls the entertainment and navigation systems, and has been angled towards to the driver. Meanwhile the lower 8.6-inch screen is primarily dedicated to the climate control system, but is also used for data entry via a virtual keyboard or handwriting recognition screen.
Australia
Production of the new A7 kicks off from February 2018 at the company’s Neckarsulm plant, with Australian sales due to begin in the middle of the year.
Australian pricing, specifications and drivetrain choices will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date.
Photos by Derek Fung
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