2012 Audi A7 Prestige. Photo by David Arnouts.
2012 Audi A7 Prestige. Photo by David Arnouts.
2012 Audi A7 Prestige. Photo by David Arnouts.
2012 Audi A7 Prestige. Photo by David Arnouts.
2012 Audi A7 Prestige. Photo by David Arnouts.
2012 Audi A7 Prestige. Photo by David Arnouts.
2012 Audi A7 Prestige. Photo by David Arnouts.
2012 Audi A7 Prestige. Photo by David Arnouts.
By BOB GRITZINGER on 7/12/2011
EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: "Look at the size of that trunk--wow, that's really nice." When the cargo hold alone inspires that kind of comment, the car that goes with it must be quite special. The 2012 Audi A7 falls into that category, defying even the "coupelike sedan" description by deftly grafting a liftback onto the svelte and stylish four-door body. All in all, it works, but without being over the top or garish in any way.
Inside, the car really shines, from the automatically stowing navigation screen to the natural surface wood trim adorning dash, doors and center console. It's really eye-catching, again without being too in-your-face--truly handsome. The rest of the interior works well, too--the slope of the rear roofline doesn't overly intrude on back-seat passengers, for instance. It'd be good to offer a five-seat option, and I'd like a door armrest that sits a little higher on the door for my comfort, but otherwise, there's little inside about which to quibble. It's an Audi, so that figures.
The drive quality is equally straightforward--nothing too stunning here, but nothing odd either. Sometimes it feels as if the supercharged engine and the eight-speed aren't quite in sync, but it doesn't take more than a millisecond for everything to correct itself and get the car moving in a hurry. I drove quite a bit in sport mode, enjoying the car's quicker reflexes taking advantage of the built-in strength in the chassis. It would take a racetrack at speed to find the car's cornering limit--it never comes close to losing its composure on public highways, even at as much as double the exit ramp speed limit. The engine is smooth, quiet and refined. A set of steering-wheel paddle shifters would add to the fun.
Overall, the Audi A7 seems like one of those hidden gems, a car that hides many of its best attributes until the owner and passengers start to notice them over time.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: As I said after my night in an A7 Premium Plus model a few weeks back, I'm still floored by the A7's interior. Audi really has outdone itself this time with the fine-grain ash-wood trim with matte finish, soft-touch surfaces and design. The front bucket seats are supportive and comfortable, and the LED ambient lighting really looks sharp at night. Additional standard interior features on this range-topping Prestige model include a four-zone climate-control system, Bose sound system (which sounds great), ventilated front seats and a power-adjustable steering column.
On the outside, the Prestige benefits with standard S line bumpers, grille, adaptive headlights and cornering lights. The overall look is handsome, but I still give the edge in the looks department to the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
All of us around here are certainly familiar with the Audi supercharged V6 mill after a year with our long-term S4. For the A7, it produces 310 hp instead of the 333 hp in the S4, but the 325 lb-ft of torque is the same. With peak torque available at 2,900 rpm, it gets the 4,200-pound A7 moving brisk enough, and the eight-speed automatic trans is smooth with imperceptible shifts.
Besides that, there's a solid chassis here. The car handles well; steering is responsive, but a little light in weight. Ride is also comfortable for the most part and the brakes are strong. The only thing I can knock is that tire thuds over ruts on the road are loud in the cabin.
NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: This 2012 Audi A7 Prestige is one of the silkiest sedans introduced in years. Is it prettier than the Mercedes CLS, a gorgeous four-door with coupe styling? Perhaps. The Audi has fewer curves but stronger lines, and the beltline especially says power and grace. It's all very proportional, with long flowing dimensions that add elegance and drama in an age when most sedans are sorely lacking both--even at higher price points.
The supercharged six-cylinder is a strong, purposeful engine that makes the A7 feel fast and fleet yet it doesn't possess the raw anger some powerplants exude. That's benefit as everything in the A7 flows smoothly, including the engine. In fact, this six feels effortless, even more so than in our sterling long-term S4, which puts out more power with a note of menace.
The A7 is equally adept on the highway and surface streets of suburbia. The shining strength of the engine shows up in two critical places: low in the band when the 325 lb-ft is served up as quickly as 2,900 rpm in proud and potent fashion and during faster spinning, when the revs climb and this big sedan shoots through gaps on the expressway.
The attention to detail and subtle touches make the Audi A7 stand out. The angled gauges inside are elegant and impressive, with the silver-colored elements set against a black base. The wood trim is fantastic, and even the plastics present well. Audi's MMI system is also easy to use and comprehend. The head-up display is clear, and the entire package makes sense to me. It's much quicker to pick up than BMW or Mercedes systems. I love the headlights and taillights, which have done wonders in helping Audi carve an identity in the crowded luxury segment.
The drive character is as well-executed, as is the styling. The brakes scrub speed proficiently and offer quick bite with just a bit of pedal travel. The steering adjusts accordingly to the rate of travel in a subtle manner; it's light but then tightens up upon acceleration. It's one of the more agreeable transitions in the industry. The chassis is well done and comfortable, and for a large sedan, the body remains composed and planted for nearly all maneuvers.
From the power to the styling to the grace, Audi has crafted the A7 in a way that recalls truly great automobiles. Audi won Le Mans the weekend I had this car, and I felt pretty triumphant every time I got behind the wheel.
2012 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI Prestige
Base Price: $60,125
As-Tested Price: $67,430
Drivetrain: 3.0-liter supercharged V6; AWD, eight-speed automatic
Output: 310 hp @ 5,500-6,500 rpm, 325 lb-ft @ 2,900-4,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,210 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 22/19.9 mpg
Options: Prestige including S line exterior, 19-inch wheels with all-season tires, Audi navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi Connect (with six-month complimentary subscription), front and rear parking sensor, rearview camera, advance key, four-zone automatic climate control, front-seat ventilation, Bose surround sound system, HD radio, power-steering-column adjust, adaptive headlights, ambient lighting plus, seven-inch color driver-information system ($6,330); Audi side assist ($500); garnet red pearl effect paint ($475)
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