AUDI A7: hi-tech luxury as standard

IT seems that our increasingly weather-worn British roads have played into the hands of Audi's adaptive air sprung suspension.

Last October I took to the smooth tarmac of Spain for the launch of the A7 Sportback and was left dumbfounded when the optional adaptive suspension option (£2,000) was trumped by standard springs offering a more engaging drive.

Returning the A5 coupe’s more luxurious big brother to UK roads, however, the air sprung suspension was the star of the A7’s repertoire, resisting any tendency to crash through pot holes, yet keeping the large coupe riding level and true.

Packed with technology—including a Google Earth internet link up for the car’s sat-nav—the A7 also came with optional (£2,100) night vision cameras and pedestrian recognition.

The system transforms a drive down a city street into something akin to the Call of

Duty computer game, highlighting pedestrians hidden in the darkness within yellow or red target boxes (depending on their proximity) on a grey-scale screen between the speedo and rev counter.

Prices for Audi’s more commodious rival to Mercedes’ CLS start at £45,220, with the 242bhp TDI quattro tested here starting at £48,000 without delving into the hefty options list.

With a thumping 367lb.ft. of torque, the diesel-powered A7 has ample firepower—claiming a 6.3 second sprint to 62mph—but no live ammo for those Call of Duty fans...

Fuel consumption of 47mpg fuel economy and 158g/km CO2 emissions should appeal to the grown-ups, though.