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. 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 225 PS and 550 Nm 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.

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 (204 PS) with multitronic, 3.0 TFSI quattro (300 PS) with seven-speed S tronic, 3.0 TDI quattro (245 PS) with seven-speed S tronic; followed by 3.0 TDI (204 PS) 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 (310 PS) with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Audi S7 (2012–2017)
The S7 is a version of the A7 with a 3993 cc biturbo TFSI V8 engine rated at 420 PS and 550 Nm of torque, as well as a quattro four wheel drive system and 7-speed S–tronic gearbox. The S7 can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph 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
A7 3.0 TDI quattro (313 PS) (as A7 3.0 BiTDI quattro) was added to the UK market. The A7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro was unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. US model of A7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro was set to go on sale in fall 2013 as 2014 model year vehicle.

A7 Sportback Black Edition (2013–)
The A7 Sportback Black Edition is a version of the A7 (excluding 3.0 TDI (204 PS), 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.

RS 7 (2013–2019)
The RS 7 has a 4.0 TFSI twin scroll twin turbo V8 engine rated at 412 kW and 700 Nm of torque, as well as cylinder on demand system deactivates intake and exhaust valves of 4 cylinders (2, 3, 5 and 8), eight-speed tiptronic transmission with D and S driving modes, quattro with torque vectoring with self-locking center differential with a high locking rate and oil cooler (optional quattro with sport differential with two superposition gears), polished 20-inch forged wheels in a seven twin-spoke design (optional 21-inch cast wheels in a choice of three designs), four internally vented diameter brake discs with 390 mm diameter front discs and black (optional red) painted six-piston calipers (optional 420 mm carbon fiber ceramic discs with anthracite grey calipers), electronic stabilization control with Sport and off modes, adaptive air suspension lowering body by 20 mm (optional tauter sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control), optional dynamic all-wheel steering with continuously variable steering boost and ratio, high-gloss black protective grille with honeycomb structure at the front of the car, add-on parts in matte aluminium, power extending spoiler, two elliptical tailpipe trims, a choice of 10 body colours (including Nardo grey, exclusive finish Daytona grey, matte effect), optional matte aluminium and carbon styling packages, footrest, pedals and soft keys in the standard MMI navigation plus terminal in an aluminium-look finish; decorative trim below the retractable monitor in piano finish, carbon inlays (four optional additional materials), headlining in black cloth (optional lunar silver or black Alcantara), RS sport seats with side bolsters and integrated head restraints and RS 7 logos upholstered in black Alcantara and leather with diamond quilting at center sections (optional honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar silver), optional power-adjustable comfort seats with memory function, contoured rear seats, xenon plus headlights, a tyre pressure monitoring system, the parking system plus, three-zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control, Audi sound system, MMI navigation plus, adaptive cruise control with start-stop system including Audi pre sense front.

The RS 7 can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 3.9 seconds and is limited to 250 kph. The optional dynamic package and dynamic package plus increase top speeds to 280 kph and 305 kph, respectively. Other options include the exterior mirrors with exposed carbon housings and the all-LED headlights, head-up display, a comfort package, the dynamic package, the dynamic package plus, Bluetooth online car phone, Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 NAIAS. Audi announced the RS 7 Performance along with 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 605 PS at 6,100-6,800 rpm and 750 Nm of torque at 2,500-5,500 rpm. The top speed remains limited to 250 kph as standard, and there are optional Dynamic and Dynamic Plus packages that raise the top speed to 280 kph and 305 kph respectively. The RS 7 Performance will accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 3.7 seconds and 0 to 200 kph in 12.1 seconds. Despite the improved performance, the fuel economy and are unchanged from the standard RS 6 Avant.

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.

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 340 PS and 500 Nm of torque.

Engine
At launch, the A7 was powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine making 250 kW and 500 Nm, an engine also used in the new Audi A8. Further engines will follow soon after the start of production. All units will receive a 48-volt vehicle electrical system, which together with the belt alternator starter (BAS) comprises the MHEV system (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle).

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.