Audi goes in new direction wit

Audi is taking on the Mercedes CLS and BMW 5-Series GT with its biggest Sportback model yet, the A7, says Jez Spinks of Fairfax.

Spyder Jackets Spyder Jackets

Audi has continued its prolific model expansion with the launch of a new niche limousine, the A7.

The German car maker aims to have 42 models in its range by 2015, and the A7 - a coupe-style four-door that is a direct rival to BMW's 5-Series Gran Turismo and Mercedes-Benz's CLS - is the latest offspring of a fertile production line.

The A7 is effectively a hatchback version of the new A6 out next year and sits on the same next-generation under- pinnings.

Audi's biggest car remains the A8 limo, though the A7 still stretches the tape measure to nearly five metres while it's nearly two metres wide. The swoopy roofline, however, contributes to a height of just 1.42 metres.

Despite the tapering rear roof- line, taller passengers can sit in the back seat without feeling they've been packed in like a tin of sardines. Legroom is also decent.

There are only two rear seats - and two seatbelts. The middle seat is simply a leathered no man's land.

The company says the A7 combines the character of a coupe, the prestige of a sedan and the practicality of a wagon.

Next year's A6 Avant can be expected to carry a bigger load but the A7's Spyder Jackets hatchback opens to reveal a creditable 535 litres of boot space. It expands to a useful 1390 litres with the seats folded.

Options include a number of features from the A8 limo: 1300-watt Bang and Olufsen audio, head-up display, adaptive air suspension, rear sport differential and LED headlights.

The front seats are also available with ventilation and massaging function.

Another technology debut for an Audi is an automatic parallel parking system, which will also sit on the options list.

Breitling Fake

The A7 has been launched with four Breitling Fake engines initially - all V6s. Entry to the range is a 2.8-litre FSI, with the other petrol a 3.0- litre FSI. There are 3.0-litre TDI turbo diesel twins, with the 150kW version delivering consumption of just 5.3l/100km in a front- wheel- drive A7.

Front-drive A7s match their engines with a "multitronic" continuously variable transmission (CVT), while all-wheel-drive models get a seven-speed dual- clutch auto.

Quattro A7s are also available with a sports rear differential that will divide torque between the rear wheels for improved cornering stability.

Breitling Fake

At least one high-performance variant of the A7 is expected, with an S7 likely and an RS7 also rumoured. Speculation says the S7 and RS7 will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 4-litre V8 - producing 294kW and 405kW respectively.

The next-generation RS6 would also be expected to adopt the 405kW engine, with Audi ditching the Lamborghini- sourced 426kW V10.