1 - Lincs Pride FEB 187.qxp 14/12/2017 12:32 Page 124
ROAD TEST
The Magnificent Seven
Here it is... finally! A sports car you can use every single day. Audi has managed to combine slippery, attractive sports car lines with a practical four seat package... there’s even space for your luggage in the A7; a performance car sans compromise!
Finally, a sports car you can use every single day. One that won’t break the bank on the way to work, one that can accommodate the whole family, and one that can swallow a week’s worth of Waitrose spoils or a golf bag.
Audi has taken DNA from its four door executive models and distilled it into this; the second generation of A7 Sportback. You can choose from SE Executive; S-Line and Black editions, or the fire-breathing S7, but even modest models in the range offer all of the luxury, performance and usability you’d expect from Audi. Fitted as standard is a 3.0 six cylinder diesel, with or without the firm’s well-renowned Quattro four wheel drive system. Driving is a cinch thanks to an automatic gearbox, and as long as you don’t specify sporty models with their skinny tyres,
the ride should be pliant too, with body roll kept in check and plenty of feel through the steering wheel.
Price: £48,500-£69,125.
Engine: 3.0TDi Ultra, seven speed automatic. Performance: 0-60mph 7.3 seconds; 149mph top speed.
MPG: 60.1mpg (comb). Equipment: Heated leather seats, sat nav, four zone climate, cruise, parking sensors.
Equipment is generous, with LED lights, electric, heated leather seats, electric tailgate, four zone climate control, sat nav, parking sensors, keyless go and cruise control all standard. Naturally the options list is extensive, with air suspension, panoramic roof, adaptive cruise, automatic parking and £6,300 Bang & Olufsen stereo all available, so any driver can make the A7 their own. Despite its lithe performance, drivers enjoy a return of 60mpg and with four full-size seats, plus a boot with 535 litres in size about the size of a Mondeo - the A7 Sportback may well be the holy grail - a sports car completely free of compromise! n