Whereas some vehicles are ‘love at first sight’,others grow on you with time. The Audi A7, a 3.0-litre bi-turbo is one of such high-profile German machines that passionate car lovers should be asking for its number. As the BiTurbo model name implies, this A7 is powered by a new bi-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, which uses two turbos mounted in tandem.
The first, smaller one spins up at start-up, allowing instant response, huge shove from near idling speeds, and no lag. When that turbo runs out of breath, bigger-brother turbo number two smoothly takes over, extending boost up the rev range, and sustaining urge and shove until the V6 finally runs out of enthusiasm in the mid-5,000s.
In terms of overall design language inside and outside, A7’s distinctive styling portrays a message of performance and elegance, reminding one of when Audi R8 meets with Bentley Continental. It offers the buyer a slice of individualism which is rare these days in an overcrowded marketplace.
Particularly inside, it is pure Audi design, being classy and simplistic with exceptional switchgear and solid quality materials. The only negative is the low roofline that limits headroom both front and rear. In practical terms, fitting family items and the ability of the A7 to accommodate it is easily done as the massive boot (with large opening) comfortably swallows all paraphernalia. Apart from all the usual luxuries, child locks on the rear doors are electronically activated by buttons on the driver’s door panel.
And in the area of engineering, the local A7 range has just been bolstered with Audi’s latest high-performance, bi-turbo-diesel engine that delivers 230 kW and 650 Nm. Two turbochargers supply boost pressure in a two-stage, sequential frame to reduce lag.
Oil jets cool the pistons and the timing and lift of the intake valves can be varied to optimise volumetric efficiency (how much air enters the combustion chamber) over the entire speed range. Power is delivered to an eight-speed ZF-developed automatic transmission and fuel consumption is claimed at a remarkably low 6.3 litres/100 km. A weekend’s worth of mixed cycle, enthusiastic driving returned a figure of around 9.0- litres/100 km.
When you talk about the driving dynamics, Audi A7 engine suits the character of an elegant cruiser to a tee. The clattering diesel noise has been greatly reduced and a sound actuator amplifies the brawny V6 soundtrack in the exhaust system.
A7s tend to ride better than most large Audis and this car continues in that vein. With eight ratios to choose from, apart from a slight bit of hesitancy from the transmission during pull-away, it gets up to speed effortlessly and before you realise it, you’re travelling much faster than the speed limit with no straining noises emanating from under the bonnet.
Audi’s famed Quattro all-wheel-drive system ensures that even large amounts of torque can be safely deployed without fear of excessive wheelspin. BMW may claim the highest output from a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine in production (280 kW in the M50d models), but some automotive engineers say Audi has more than a few Le Mans victories using turbo-diesel technology to silence any detractors.
Power and torque maximums are impressive at 230kW and 650Nm, respectively, but it’s the linear power delivery and total absence of turbo lag that really impresses. It really feels like a much larger, normally aspirated mill, with none of the peakiness or unruly boost that can spoil the turbo party.
With so much torque on offer, the A7’s transmission sensibly combines an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The auto box is as smooth or as rapid-fire as you want it to be, and in sequential manual mode, you can use the shift paddles behind the steering wheel to change gear.
The wheel continues the high-tech theme with its multifunction execution, the remainder of the switchgear exudes the authentic solidity and high-tech precision Audi is renowned for, while a generous full-colour display and intuitive multi-media interface (MMI) further advances its high technological appeal and makes it a must-have for the class-conscious customer irrespective of age or gender.
MIKE OCHONMA
