Saying that Audi's A7 Sportback is a head-turner would be an understatement; a fact that's proved by the awe-struck people gaping at the low, brooding stance and the slit-eyed headlamps that Audi seems to have crafted to perfection.
Using Audi's MLB platform, the A7 is quite a massive car, measuring in at close to five metres long and almost two metres wide. It slots in perfectly between the A6 and the A8.
And, like its siblings, the engine is longitudinally mounted and sends power to all four wheels. Audi's tried and tested 3.0 V6 diesel motor has been improved for the A7 by using higher injection pressures, new camshaft profiles and a revised turbo. As with most Audi Quattro systems, this one sends 60 per cent of its power to the rear axle. Suspension is by way of double wishbones up front and a multi-link setup at the rear with Audi's adaptive air suspension taking care of damping. A lot of the body is aluminium, including the front suspension struts, so this car weighs in a rather light 1770kg (for its size). The 54/46 front/rear weight distribution is impressive too.
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Ingress is relatively low and the interiors are roomy and a comfortable place to be in. The swooping dashboard and door inserts, the precision machining of the aluminium centre console controls and the showy arrival of the MMI system's screen that rises out from a slot in the dash, all create an alluring first impression.
The rear somewhat suffers owing to the fact that the back seat is upright. The boot remains reasonably spacious, and if additional space is required, the rear seats can be split to allow for more luggage.
The equipment list gets the full treatment and few will find reason to be disappointed. Standard features include adaptive air suspension, two-zone climate control, a fuel saving start-stop system, Audi's Multi-Media Interface, a parking system with a reverse camera, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The options list is quite long too, so you can really spec it up. But, as with all Audis, the spare tyre is a space saver.
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The engine is certainly no slouch; a fact that's amply proven when you press the start button and the 245bhp, 3.0-litre diesel comes to life as it sets into a beautifully refined idle. The engine's strong point is the 1400rpm – 3250rom range where the responses are very quick. 100kph from standstill comes up in a rapid 6.6seconds and 200kph comes up in a shade less than 30seconds. Paddle shifts are an excellent way to extract the maximum out of the drivetrain.
Adding to the car's relaxed highway manners is the tall seventh gear which gives it long legs. But there is a lot of tyre roar in the cabin, especially over concrete roads. It's the one thing that stops it from being a relaxed tourer.
Around town, the low driving position can be a bit intimidating at first, but you get used to it. That big rear window really makes it easy to see out the back though. It has a genuinely comfortable and pliant ride despite the big wheels and the low-profile rubber. With the adaptive air suspension in comfort mode, it absorbs bumps well and we love the way it dispatches bumps and expansion joints with solid thunks. The comfort setting does allow the car to wallow ever so slightly over undulations and small bumps do tend to catch it out but this isn't too bad. Ground clearance isn't as bad as we expected either – simply raise the car on its suspension and it'll climb over most speedbreakers.
Audi's drive select system (standard on the A7) lets you tailor everything from engine responsiveness, steering weight, suspension setting and even seatbelt pre-tensioning.
Select the dynamic mode and the steering weights up a bit more and you can feel the suspension tightly controlling body movements. Around corners, the A7 displays phenomenal grip and fantastic body control and is quite fun to drive on a twisting road. The electrically assisted steering is a big letdown though — it feels lifeless and vague. If not for the desensitised steering, the A7 would have been quite a hoot to drive.
The A7 costs Rs. 64 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) which means it sits exactly between the A6 and the A8 on price. It is expensive but that's the price you pay for style. The A7's looks, drivetrain and equipment are all compelling reasons to buy one. It rides well, is very refined and is a lot more practical than its shape would suggest. Sweet chariot it is.