My head gets turned by technology, especially when it is implemented well. The 2012 Audi A7 spun my head around, forcing me to switch off my cynicism and marvel like a wide-eyed innocent. With a base price of $59,250 ($68,630 as tested), Audi's mid-sized 4-door defies easy description, and challenges assumptions.
Let's start with the simplest of descriptions. Mercedes-Benz broke open the definition of "coupe" with its arch-topped CLS, a 4-door with the proportions of a coupe. Though they don't go as far as Mercedes and call their vehicle a "coupe," Audi follows visual suit with the A7, then ups the ante by equipping the vehicle with a hatchback opening instead of a traditional trunk. The roofline's gentle slope doesn't break to accommodate the hatch — in fact, I was kind of surprised when the A7 opened so widely the first time I clicked the button, revealing 24.5 cubic feet of usefully configured storage space behind the second row.
Inside, the second row of seating gets the same leg room as an A6, with just an inch less headroom. Tall folks won't love sitting back there for long rides, but space if fine for short hops. A7 strides the middle ground between A6 and A8, taking the Audi design formula and elongating it a bit, with liberal hints of R8 mixed in. The result is a sportier, "coupe-ier" looking vehicle with all of the Audi design cues — the big, open mouth grille with chrome Audi linked circles, LED daytime running lights underlining the headlights, excellent fit and finish and arresting stance. This is one gorgeous car, whether it's a coupe, a sedan, a hatchback or something else entirely. Definitions don't matter when a design is this cool.
Driving the A7 can be almost as arresting as staring at it. My test vehicle was the A7 3.0 TFSI quattro Auto Tiptronic Sedan. This was my first time driving one of Audi's supercharged engines. Audi, and corporate overlord Volkswagen, have made the turbocharged engine their bread and butter. The difference between turbocharging and supercharging is simple: a turbocharger boosts engine air pressure by using exhaust gas to power a turbine that pushes more air into the combustion chamber. A supercharger uses a mechanical connection to the engine to do the same thing, in essence. The difference in operation is that the turbo has to wait until there's enough exhaust gas flowing in order to spool up and deliver boost; the supercharger can be working whenever the engine is spinning.
The big job for turbo designers is combatting turbo lag — the delay between the demand for power and the delivery. Audi has done a good job of taming their turbos over the years, and seems quite devoted to the technology, for good reason. In theory, turbochargers are almost like free power — they transform some of the engine's wasted energy into action. Superchargers, on the other hand, deliver their increased boost with a penalty, because they get their motivation from the very engine that they're trying to help out. The supercharger's advantage over the turbocharger is a very linear delivery of boost, and lower operating temperatures.
A7′s supercharged engine comes on like a freight train. Push in the throttle and the thing just goes, getting stronger with each passing second. The rush is compelling and addictive, even though the figures from the 3.0-liter V6 aren't overwhelming (310 hp/325 lb-ft of torque and 0 – 60 in 5.4 seconds).
The eight-speed Tiptronic transmission slips through the gears seamlessly, with the center console-mounted gearshift providing sequential manual access to each cog. Audi's usual great braking, steering, suspension and quattro all-wheel drive deliver a confidence-inspiring ride that is remarkably quiet and serene, with the potential to achieve 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway (according to the EPA).
My week with the A7 was scarcely long enough to explore all of the technology packed into the vehicle. A highlight for me was the Audi MMI touch, a new touchpad interface that lives next to the driver's right leg on the center console. The Audi interface is already intuitive and elegant — this new addition raises the bar for the competition. It's a 2′ x 3′ touchpad that interfaces with the audio, navigation and telephone system.
Sometimes, the touchpad provides direct access to radio pre-sets, with preset numbers lighting up and showing through its translucent surface. Touch the number, the radio preset is selected. Other times, the touchpad can be used for direct input. For instance, when entering an address for navigation, you can use the traditional scroll wheel, which works pretty well. Or, you can use your fingertip to draw the letter or number you wish to enter, and the touchpad's handwriting recognition system figures out what you're trying to communicate and records your entry. It's easy to use, and way more accurate than Lexus' latest mouse control.
Another highlight was Audi connect, which brings the internet into your A7. The navigation system can display Google Earth imagery beneath the map overlay, which is sure to keep passengers entertained. I had to turn the feature off, for fear of driving right off the Google Earth and into a building.
An optional broadband wi-fi connection (with 6-month complimentary subscription) can be shared among up to 8 mobile devices in the vehicle. Expect this kind of connectivity to become more common in vehicles in the near future, but for now A7 is the only car on the market with a factory-installed broadband wi-fi feature.
Audi doesn't just wow with the entertainment and communications technology, they also pack a punch with safety features that are powered by silicon chips, including adaptive cruise control and a blind spot warning system. An available night vision system uses an infrared display in the dash to help drivers see pedestrians in the dark.
Audi drive select, accessible through the Audi MMI, allows drivers to select one of three drive modes: Comfort, Sport or Auto. The vehicle adjusts transmission, steering and throttle response to deliver the selected performance. I could go on and on simply listing Audi's onboard technologies, but you get the idea.
Audi isn't the only manufacturer mining this field. Mercedes-Benz's aforementioned CLS can be loaded down with tech, too, and its design is still fresh and eye-catching. Love it or hate it, Porsche's Panamera is a fashion statement, and can be an absolute bullet on the roadway.
Jaguar's XF and Maserati's Quattroporte each offer eye-popping styling and compelling road manners. This mid-size performance luxury segment is an awful lot of fun, with some of the best high-tech sedans in the world competing for your attention.
For my money, the Audi A7 stands out in this heady company. This is a highly sophisticated, capable, elegant luxury car that is fun to drive and rewarding to explore. If you want to be truly cutting edge in terms of design and technology, this is the mid-size sedan for you.
