Audi A7. The Audi A7 is an executive five-door liftback produced by Audi since 2010. The coupé variant of the Audi A6 saloon/estate, the Audi A7 features a sloping roofline with a steeply raked rear window and integrated boot lid (forming the Sportback), and four frameless doors. A sport version called the S7 has been made since 2012, and a high-performance model called the RS7 has been in production since 2013. An extended-wheelbase three-box, four-door saloon derivative called the A7L has been produced in China since 2021.

Audi Sportback concept (2009)
The Audi Sportback concept is a concept vehicle powered by a 3.0-litre V6 TDI clean diesel engine rated at  and  of torque. It features a 7-speed S tronic transmission, quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system, five-link front suspension, continuous damping control shock absorbers, electromechanical steering, ceramic brake discs (380 mm front and 356 mm rear), front 6-piston monobloc aluminium brake calipers, rear floating-caliper brakes and 21-inch wheels. A preview of the facelifted 2015 A7 Sportback, the vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

First generation (Type 4G8; 2010)

Initial release
The A7 is in essence a four-door fastback version of the C7-series Audi A6, based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform. The A7 was released before the more conventional A6 saloon/estate. Both cars share the same core structure, drivetrain, chassis, dashboard and interior, whilst the A7 has its own unique exterior panelwork. It also differs from the A6 in that it uses aluminium for much of its front body structure. The A7 was also the first fastback to appear within the Audi C-platform series since the Avant version of the C2 Audi 100, which was discontinued in 1982. The vehicle was unveiled in Pinakothek der Moderne art museum in Munich on 26 July 2010, and later at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, 2011 New York Auto Show, and Wörthersee Tour 2011 (in Misano Red).

The vehicles went on sale in autumn 2010. Early models include 2.8 FSI () with multitronic, 3.0 TFSI quattro () with seven-speed S tronic, 3.0 TDI quattro () with seven-speed S tronic; followed by 3.0 TDI () with multitronic.

The 2011 model year A7 introduces FlexRay high speed databus that controls all the driver assistance systems from the A8, but it adds head-up display and active lane assist. Full LED headlamps with Automatic high beam switching or Audi adaptive light (Xenon) with variable headlight range control. US models went on sale 2012 model year vehicles. Early models include 3.0 TFSI quattro () with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Audi S7 (2012–2017)

The S7 is a version of the A7 with a  biturbo TFSI V8 engine rated at  and  of torque, as well as a quattro four wheel drive system and 7-speed S–tronic gearbox. The S7 can accelerate from  in 4.7 seconds. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, and later in 2012 Audi quattro Cup. Delivery of the S7 began in spring 2012.

Similar vehicles
Reviewers have cited the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class as the inspiration to the Audi A7 in the four-door executive sedan market.

Engines and performance
The following internal combustion engines are available, with variations dependent on market.

Awards
In the ICOTY Awards, the Audi A7 was named the International Car of the Year in 2012. AutoWeek named the Audi A7 as the Best of the Best/Car for 2012. Esquire named the Audi A7 as the 2011 Esquire Car of the Year. Automobile  named the Audi A7 "2012 Automobile of the Year".

Marketing
As part of the A7 Sportback product launch, a launch campaign was created in collaboration with the London advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty. The birth story of the A7 Sportback became the inspiration of the Paper Liberation spot. As part of the A7 launch in the US, a papercraft version of 2012 Audi A7 was produced. As part of the S7 launch in the US, a Super Bowl commercial was produced.

2012 update 
The A7 3.0 TDI quattro (, marketed as the A7 3.0 BiTDI quattro) was added to the UK market. The US market A7 3.0 TDI 'clean diesel' quattro was unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, and went on sale in Fall 2013 as a 2014 model year vehicle.

A7 Sportback Black Edition (2013–)
The A7 Sportback Black Edition is a version of the A7 (excluding 3.0 TDI (), S7) for the UK market. It includes 21-inch rotor-design alloy wheels with a dark titanium finish with further lowered S line sports suspension, black grille and number plate surrounds and the window frame strips, and by privacy glass extending from the B-pillar rearwards; Piano Black inlays, sports seats upholstered in black Valcona leather, black headlining, BOSE audio system with DAB radio and AMI from SE specification and above, S line equipment package (satellite navigation, light and rain sensors, Xenon all-weather headlights and LED rear lights, Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, Audi parking system plus, and keyless go), powered tailgate operation, electrically adjustable front seats and a powered retractable rear spoiler. Sales began in November 2012, with deliveries began in early 2013.

Audi A7 Sportback h-tron Concept 

At the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi showcased the A7 Sportback h-tron Concept, which is a modified A7 with a hydrogen-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain. It is fitted with four high pressure hydrogen fuel tanks which feed a fuel cell placed in the engine compartment, which then power two  electric traction motors on either axle for a total of  of output, or  in boost mode. It is also equipped with a 8.8kWh Li-ion battery which can be charged in 4 hours on a domestic 230V Level 1 charger, or 2 hours on a 360V Level 2 charger. The hydrogen tanks, which have a carbon fiber exterior and aluminium shell, can hold  of fuel at a pressure of , which is enough to power the vehicle for , and the battery has a range of .

RS 7 (2013–2019) 

The Audi RS 7 is a high performance variant of the A7 and was unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. It has a 4.0 TFSI twin scroll twin turbo V8 engine rated at  and  of torque and features engine start stop and a cylinder deactivation system (which deactivates cylinders #2, #3, #5 and #8). The engine is paired to an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, which transmits power to the wheels via a torque vectoring quattro all-wheel drive system with a self-locking center differential and oil cooler; an upgraded sport differential with two superposition gears is optional. 

It is equipped with an adaptive air suspension, which can lower the ride height by  in sport mode, with optional Dynamic Ride Control with stiffer tuning available. The steering rack has continuously variable assistance and ratio, and there is an optional dynamic all-wheel steering system. The RS7 comes standard with four internally vented diameter brake discs with  diameter front discs and black or optionally red painted six-piston calipers, which can be upgraded to  carbon fiber ceramic discs with anthracite grey painted calipers. They are mounted behind polished 20-inch forged wheels in a seven twin-spoke design, with upgrade options for three different 21-inch cast wheel designs.

Exterior changes include a gloss black honeycomb grille and several matte aluminium or carbon fiber accents depending on the selected package. The rear features a power extending spoiler and two elliptical tailpipes. The RS7 can be painted in a choice of ten body colours, including Nardo grey and an exclusive matte Daytona grey. 

Interior upgrades include RS sport seats with side bolsters and integrated head restraints with RS 7 logos, which are upholstered with black Alcantara and leather with diamond quilting at center sections. These can be replaced with optional power-adjustable comfort seats with memory function upholstered in honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar silver. The dashboard is finished with carbon inlays by default but has four additional material choices, and the headliner is black cloth but can be replaced with lunar silver cloth or black Alcantara. 

The RS 7 can accelerate from  in 3.9 seconds and is limited to . The optional Dynamic Package and Dynamic Package Plus increase top speeds to  and , respectively.

RS 7 Performance 
Audi announced the RS 7 Performance alongside the RS 6 Performance on 22 October 2015. It is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine as the standard RS 7, but now with  at 6,100-6,800 rpm and  of torque at 2,500-5,500 rpm. The top speed remains limited to  as standard, and the optional Dynamic and Dynamic Plus packages raise the top speed to  and  respectively. The RS 7 Performance will accelerate from  in 3.7 seconds and  in 12.1 seconds. Despite the improved performance, the fuel economy and  emissions ratings are unchanged from the standard RS 7.

Facelift (Model year 2015)
Audi unveiled the 2015 A7 facelift in May 2014. Changes include:
Styling tweaks to the car's exterior, engine line-up, transmission. 
Latest Multi Media Interface modular infotainment platform (faster Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, improved graphics) including handwriting recognition.
Audi Connect telematics with 4G mobile internet (and mobile updates for the navigation map).
Adaptive glare-free Matrix LED headlights.
Improved Night Vision Assistant can now recognize animals.
Both TFSI and all three TDI engines now meet the Euro 6 emission standard.

Second generation (Type 4K8; 2018)

The second generation A7 was revealed in October 2017, officially launching in Germany in February 2018, and has been on sale in Europe since late 2017. It made its North American debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on 12 January 2018. Production started in February 2018 at Audi's Neckarsulm plant.

RS7 
The RS 7 Sportback was first unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Specifications

 Engine: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminium block and heads, direct fuel injection.
 Displacement: 
 Power:  at 6250 rpm
 Torque:  at 2050 rpm

A7L
In April 2021, Audi launched the three-box sedan version of the A7, called the A7L. It is only sold in China as the first Audi model manufactured by the SAIC Volkswagen joint venture. The A7L has a slightly longer wheelbase while being shorter overall than the Audi A8 (non-LWB); the A7L also has frameless doors like the liftback A7 compared to the A8's framed doors. The A7L could be seen as a closer competitor to the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé than the standard A7. 

The engines are the same as those used in the liftback version, including the top-of-the-line 3.0-litre TFSI engine with  and  of torque.

Engine
At launch, the A7 was powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine making  and , an engine also used in the new Audi A8. Further engines became available soon after the start of production. All units receive a 48-volt vehicle electrical system, which together with the belt alternator starter (BAS) comprises the mild hybrid system.

Asia
The second generation A7 Sportback was launched in China in December 2018. In April 2021, an additional extended wheelbase three box sedan variant, called the A7L, was launched in China. The A7L is manufactured by SAIC-Volkswagen as one of the first Audi products to be produced by SAIC. The A7 Sportback MK2 Type C8/4K was launched in Pakistan in 2019, one year after its launch in India. As of 2017, the second generation of the Audi A7 was also the first generation of the A7 to be sold in Bangladesh. In September 2018, the second generation of A7 was sold in Oman. It was introduced to the Vietnamese market in October 2018 and to the Thai market in February 2019.

Sales

See also 
 Audi A7 sportback h-tron

References

External links
Audi A7 official website (U.S.A)
 Audi Press Release July 2010

A7
Executive cars
Front-wheel-drive vehicles
Vehicles with CVT transmission
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Hatchbacks
Sedans
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Cars introduced in 2010
2020s cars