2012 Audi A7 Review: Elegant Performer ?

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Automakers seem to have become smitten with the practice of slicing and dicing new-car segments into smaller niches in recent years like so many soft-drink varieties.

How else to explain genres like the “four door coupe,” of which the 2012 Audi A7 is its newest member?

For the uninitiated, a four-door coupe is essentially a sedan that adopts a sleek coupe-like roofline to afford a sportier appearance. The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class was the first model of this ilk, with more recent additions including the Aston Martin Rapide, Volkswagen CC, Acura ZDX and BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo.

Just now arriving at dealerships, the 2012 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI quattro Auto Tiptronic Sedan, as it’s officially – and long-windedly – called, is based on the upcoming next-generation 2012 A6 sedan. While the two models share engines, transmissions and most other components, the A7 distinguishes itself with racier exterior styling, a four-passenger interior and a large hatchback instead of a trunk. While one could argue against the business model of having two largely similar vehicles, the A7 remains a more expressive alternative to the stodgier A6 and could attract a younger – or at least more-youthful – audience.

The car’s visual calling card is indeed its athletic coupe-inspired roofline, which reaches gracefully rearward and leaves the car well proportioned, overall. Up front, Audi’s signature broad and deep trapezoidal grille is flanked by broad lower air intakes and stylish projector style Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights that reach upward into the front fenders (full LED headlamps are optional). The rear-end treatment is neither too tall nor too chunky, and is adorned with neatly configured taillights and dual exhausts that are set in a low and assertive-looking fascia. An integrated rear spoiler automatically extends at 80 mph and retracts once the car gets back to 50 mph or less (it can also be deployed and retracted manually at the push of a button).

Unlike many similar models, the 2012 Audi A7’s low-slung roof neither obstructs rearward visibility from inside the cabin, nor does it cause the driver or front passenger to bump or unduly scrape their heads while climbing into the cabin. Rear-seat access is a bit tougher, however, given the reduced clearance and smallish door opening, but we don’t envision many buyers will consider a car like this for livery duties. The sharply angled hatchback and high rear load floor tend to limit carrying taller objects in what is otherwise a generous cargo hold, but the space easily expands via 60/40-split folding rear seats.

The 2012 Audi A7 treats four passengers to a roomy and quiet leather-clad cabin that’s neatly trimmed in aluminum-look and wood trim, with quality materials used throughout. Instrument-panel gauges are large and legible, with an elegantly styled dashboard that wraps around the driver and front passenger. The steering wheel incorporates controls for select functions without becoming too cluttered in the bargain.

Dashboard ergonomics are a hit and miss affair. Some controls, particularly for the automatic climate system, are straightforward; others, like those for audio and navigation, require a learning curve. That’s because these and other assorted operations are under the auspices of Audi’s MMI multimedia control. MMI swaps traditional buttons, switches and dials for a menu-driven system that uses a rotary dial and associated function buttons mounted on the center console between the front seats control all menus and functions. A large color LCD monitor automatically folds out and up from the center of the dashboard when the car is switched on. This type of interface has become common among feature-laden high-end luxury cars to help reduce dashboard clutter. While not as instinctive to operate as conventional analog controls, the MMI system works sufficiently well and the display is among the sharpest we’ve ever seen.

Out on the road we found the 2012 Audi A7 to be a willing and capable performer. Its supercharged and direct fuel-injected 3.0-liter V6 engine generates 310 horsepower and a lively 325 pound-feet of torque that ensures strong launches and plenty of passing power. Audi says the A7 can make the leap to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, which is impressive for what is a relatively small engine in such a large sedan. A smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission includes Tiptronic manual-shift capability via either the gear selector or optional steering wheel-mounted paddles. It’s a bit more reactive in manual mode than with many other automatics, but we’d rather see Audi’s excellent DSG dual-clutch automated manual here instead for truly energetic operation.

Unlike most European cars, which utilize rear-wheel-drive for its more-favorable front-to-rear weight balance and inherently sportier handling characteristics, the 2012 Audi A7 instead comes standard with the automaker’s excellent quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. It nonetheless splits the engine power between the axles on a 40/60 basis under most circumstances for a sportier rear-drive feel, automatically distributing power fore or aft as needed when wheel slippage is detected. What’s more, an intelligent brake management system lightly applies the brakes to the inside rear wheel while cornering to deliver more-precise control. And, of course, AWD is especially welcome when the elements become inhospitable, which is when rear-drive cars tend to lose their poise.

A structurally sound design with a sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and an electromechanical variable-boost power steering system contributes to dynamic handling characteristics and an adequate, though not exactly butter-smooth ride. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires are standard with 19- and 20-inch rims and rubber available. A sport suspension that affords more-tenacious cornering abilities is optional, though this comes at the expense of a rougher ride.

Audi’s Drive Select Control system is standard and allows the driver to tailor steering, engine and transmission response according to selectable modes for a more or less aggressive feel. Switching from “Comfort” to “Dynamic” mode makes the car suddenly feel far quicker, with an eager throttle quality that’s truly entertaining, except perhaps in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The difference in steering stiffness is far less noticeable, however. We suspect most drivers will leave the system set in “Automatic” mode most of the time and forget about it.

As befits its $60K base price, the 2012 Audi A7 comes generously equipped with amenities like a pushbutton entry/start system, Bluetooth mobile phone interface, a power glass sunroof and a power-operated tailgate. Gadget lovers will be duly impressed by the car’s array of optional high-tech features. Primary among them is the new subscription-based Audi Connect system that works with the available voice-controlled navigation array to provide real-time traffic, weather and news reports, gas prices and Google Local Search information on restaurant or hotel hours, pricing and reviews; realistic Google Earth navigation maps can be zoomed out to a global view or in as close as 30 yards to provide a news-copter-chase view of the car’s location. Audi Connect also includes an in-vehicle Wi-Fi Internet connection for as many as eight devices.

The navigation system further affords the ability to input destinations using fingertip handwriting recognition via a laptop computer-like touchpad on the center console. It works as advertised, though we found it only nominally less complicated than the alternative method of dialing in a street name one letter at a time with the MMI dial.

Though our tester wasn’t so equipped, an optional color head-up display on the 2012 Audi A7 projects vehicle speed and other information onto the inside of the windshield in the driver’s field of vision. A Night Vision Assistant system displays an otherworldly infrared view of the road ahead and can automatically detect pedestrians in the car’s path. Audi’s optional Side Assist blind-spot monitoring system alerts the driver to the presence of vehicles to the side and rear he or she might not otherwise see.

But wait, that’s not all. The 2012 Audi A7 also offers an adaptive radar-based cruise control system that not only maintains a set speed and distance from the traffic ahead on the highway, it can operate as efficiently in stop and go traffic. Working in conjunction with the cruise control system, Audi’s available Pre-Sense Plus system automatically initiates preventive protective measures – including tightening the seatbelts, closing the sunroof and side windows and priming the brakes to full stopping force – if it determines a collision is imminent. If necessary, it will also automatically engage the brakes about half a second before a collision occurs.

While the 2012 Audi A7 may not be as uncompromising sporty as a BMW 550i or carry the deeply chiseled exterior of a Mercedes-Benz CLS, it should appeal to a broad spectrum of luxury car buyers on the basis of its overall pleasing performance, tastefully attractive styling and broad array of cutting-edge amenities. Those looking for similar performance in a five-passenger package with added rear headroom, a more formal appearance and a bona fide trunk will have to wait until the 2012 Audi A6 arrives this fall.

MSRP: $59,250, not including $875 destination charge.

source: forbes.com
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