Audi A7
The Audi A7 is an executive five-door liftback produced by Audi since 2010. The coupé variant of the Audi A6 saloon/estate, the Audi A7 features a sloping roofline with a steeply raked rear window and integrated boot lid, and four frameless doors. A sport version called the S7 has been made since 2012, and a high-performance model called the RS 7 has been in production since 2013. An extended-wheelbase three-box, four-door saloon derivative called the A7L has been produced in China since 2021.
Audi Sportback concept (2009)
The Audi Sportback concept is a concept vehicle powered by a 3.0-litre V6 TDI clean diesel engine rated at and of torque. It features a 7-speed S tronic transmission, quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system, five-link front suspension, continuous damping control shock absorbers, electromechanical steering, ceramic brake discs, front 6-piston monobloc aluminium brake calipers, rear floating-caliper brakes and 21-inch wheels. A preview of the facelifted 2015 A7 Sportback, the vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.First generation (Type 4G8; 2010)
Initial release
The A7 is in essence a four-door fastback version of the C7-series Audi A6, based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform. The A7 was released before the more conventional A6 saloon/estate. Both cars share the same core structure, drivetrain, chassis, dashboard and interior, whilst the A7 has its own unique exterior panelwork. It also differs from the A6 in that it uses aluminium for much of its front body structure. The A7 was also the first fastback to appear within the Audi C-platform series since the Avant version of the C2 Audi 100, which was discontinued in 1982. The vehicle was unveiled in Pinakothek der Moderne art museum in Munich on 26 July 2010, and later at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, 2011 New York Auto Show, and Wörthersee Tour 2011.The vehicles went on sale in autumn 2010. Early models include 2.8 FSI with multitronic, 3.0 TFSI quattro with seven-speed S tronic, 3.0 TDI quattro with seven-speed S tronic; followed by 3.0 TDI with multitronic.
The 2011 model year A7 introduces FlexRay high speed databus that controls all the driver assistance systems from the A8, but it adds head-up display and active lane assist. Full LED headlamps with Automatic high beam switching or Audi adaptive light with variable headlight range control. US models went on sale 2012 model year vehicles. Early models include 3.0 TFSI quattro with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Audi S7 (2012–2017)
The S7 is a version of the A7 with a biturbo TFSI V8 engine rated at and of torque, as well as a quattro four wheel drive system and 7-speed S-tronic gearbox. The S7 can accelerate from in 4.7 seconds. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, and later in 2012 Audi quattro Cup. Delivery of the S7 began in spring 2012.Similar vehicles
Reviewers have cited the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class as the inspiration to the Audi A7 in the four-door executive sedan market.Engines and performance
The following internal combustion engines are available, with variations dependent on market.| Model | Years | Type/code | Transmission | Power | Torque | 0– | Top speed |
| A7 2.0 TFSI | 2014-2018 | I4 turbocharged | 7-speed S tronic | at 5,000–6,000 rpm | at 1600-4,500 rpm | 6.9 s | |
| A7 2.8 FSI | 2010-2017 | V6 | multitronic | at 5,250–6,250 rpm | at 3,000–5,000 rpm | 8.3 s | |
| A7 2.8 FSI quattro | 2010-2017 | V6 | 7-speed S tronic | 8.3 s | |||
| A7 3.0 TFSI quattro | 2010-2017 | V6 supercharged | 7-speed S tronic | at 5,250–6,500 rpm | at 2,900–4,500 rpm | 5.6 s | |
| A7 3.0 TFSI quattro | 2012-2015 | V6 supercharged | 8-speed Tiptronic | at 5,400–6,500 rpm | at 2,900–4,500 rpm | 5.6 s | |
| A7 3.0 TFSI quattro | 2016-2017 | V6 supercharged | 8-speed Tiptronic | at 5,300–6,500 rpm | at 2,900–5,300 rpm | 5.3 s | |
| A7 3.0 TFSI quattro | 2017-2018 | V6 supercharged | 8-speed Tiptronic | at 5,300–6,500 rpm | at 2,900–5,300 rpm | 5.3 s | |
| S7 4.0 TFSI quattro | 2012-2017 | V8 twin turbo | 7-speed S tronic | at 5,500–6,400 rpm | at 1,400–5,200 rpm | 4.7 s | |
| RS 7 4.0 TFSI quattro | 2013-2017 | V8 twinscroll twin turbo | 8-speed Tiptronic | at 5,700–6,700 rpm | at 1,750–5,500 rpm | 3.9 s |
| Model | Years | Type/code | Transmission | Power | Torque | 0– | Top speed |
| A7 3.0 TDI | 2010-2017 | V6 turbo | multitronic | at 3250–4,500 rpm | at 1250–3,500 rpm | 7.4 s | |
| A7 3.0 TDI quattro | 2010-2017 | V6 turbo | 7-speed S tronic | at 3250–4,500 rpm | at 1250–3,500 rpm | 7.2 s | |
| A7 3.0 TDI quattro | 2010-2012 | V6 turbo | 7-speed S tronic | at 4,000–4,500 rpm | at 1,750–2,500 rpm | 6.3 s | |
| A7 3.0 TDI quattro | 2011-??? | V6 turbo | 8-speed Tiptronic | at 3,900–4,500 rpm | at 1,450–2800 rpm | 5.3 s | |
| A7 3.0 TDI quattro | 2012-2017 | V6 turbo | 8-speed Tiptronic | at 4,000–4,500 rpm | at 1,400–3,250 rpm | 6.3 s |
Awards
In the ICOTY Awards, the Audi A7 was named the International Car of the Year in 2012. AutoWeek named the Audi A7 as the Best of the Best/Car for 2012. Esquire named the Audi A7 as the 2011 Esquire Car of the Year. Automobile named the Audi A7 "2012 Automobile of the Year".Marketing
As part of the A7 Sportback product launch, a launch campaign was created in collaboration with the London advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty. The birth story of the A7 Sportback became the inspiration of the Paper Liberation spot. As part of the A7 launch in the US, a papercraft version of 2012 Audi A7 was produced. As part of the S7 launch in the US, a Super Bowl commercial was produced.2012 update
The A7 3.0 TDI quattro was added to the UK market. The US market A7 3.0 TDI 'clean diesel' quattro was unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, and went on sale in Fall 2013 as a 2014 model year vehicle.A7 Sportback Black Edition (2013–)
The A7 Sportback Black Edition is a version of the A7 for the UK market. It includes 21-inch rotor-design alloy wheels with a dark titanium finish with further lowered S line sports suspension, black grille and number plate surrounds and the window frame strips, and by privacy glass extending from the B-pillar rearwards; Piano Black inlays, sports seats upholstered in black Valcona leather, black headlining, BOSE audio system with DAB radio and AMI from SE specification and above, S line equipment package, powered tailgate operation, electrically adjustable front seats and a powered retractable rear spoiler. Sales began in November 2012, with deliveries began in early 2013.Audi A7 Sportback h-tron Concept
At the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi showcased the A7 Sportback h-tron Concept, which is a modified A7 with a hydrogen-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain. It is fitted with four high pressure hydrogen fuel tanks which feed a fuel cell placed in the engine compartment, which then power two electric traction motors on either axle for a total of of output, or in boost mode. It is also equipped with a 8.8kWh Li-ion battery which can be charged in 4 hours on a domestic 230V Level 1 charger, or 2 hours on a 360V Level 2 charger. The hydrogen tanks, which have a carbon fiber exterior and aluminium shell, can hold of fuel at a pressure of, which is enough to power the vehicle for, and the battery has a range of.RS 7 (2013–2019)
The Audi RS 7 is a high performance variant of the A7 and was unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. It has a 4.0 TFSI twin scroll twin turbo V8 engine rated at and of torque and features engine start stop and a cylinder deactivation system. The engine is paired to an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, which transmits power to the wheels via a torque vectoring quattro all-wheel drive system with a self-locking center differential and oil cooler; an upgraded sport differential with two superposition gears is optional.It is equipped with an adaptive air suspension, which can lower the ride height by in sport mode, with optional Dynamic Ride Control with stiffer tuning available. The steering rack has continuously variable assistance and ratio, and there is an optional dynamic all-wheel steering system. The RS 7 comes standard with four internally vented diameter brake discs with diameter front discs and black or optionally red painted six-piston calipers, which can be upgraded to carbon fiber ceramic discs with anthracite grey painted calipers. They are mounted behind polished 20-inch forged wheels in a seven twin-spoke design, with upgrade options for three different 21-inch cast wheel designs.
Exterior changes include a gloss black honeycomb grille and several matte aluminium or carbon fiber accents depending on the selected package. The rear features a power extending spoiler and two elliptical tailpipes. The RS 7 can be painted in a choice of ten body colours, including Nardo grey and an exclusive matte Daytona grey.
Interior upgrades include RS sport seats with side bolsters and integrated head restraints with RS 7 logos, which are upholstered with black Alcantara and leather with diamond quilting at center sections. These can be replaced with optional power-adjustable comfort seats with memory function upholstered in honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar silver. The dashboard is finished with carbon inlays by default but has four additional material choices, and the headliner is black cloth but can be replaced with lunar silver cloth or black Alcantara.
The RS 7 can accelerate from in 3.9 seconds and is limited to. The optional Dynamic Package and Dynamic Package Plus increase top speeds to and, respectively.