Audi has revealed the all-new 2011 Audi A7 Sportback at Germany's Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich today, arriving to take on BMW's 5 Series Gran Turismo and the new Mercedes-Benz CLS.
In ways a larger version of the recently-launched A5 Sportback, the styling of the A7 Sportback is closely tied to the concept version revealed at Detroit last year.
Measuring 1.4 metres tall, 4.97 metres long and 1.91 metres wide, the A7 Sportback rides on an exceptionally long 2.91 metre wheelbase, improving interior space and legroom.
Increasing its sporting look, the A7 Sportback will be available with wheels that begin at 18 inches, climbing to 20 inches for the more powerful models.
The local engine lineup is unknown at this point, however Audi has confirmed today that the A7 Sportback will launch internationally with two petrol V6 and two diesel V6 engines.
All four powertrains feature thermal engine management, designed to stop coolant circulating until the engines and transmissions reach the optimum temperature. There is also start-stop technology, regenerative braking and Audi’s new electro-mechanical power steering system.
The entry-level engine is a 2.8 litre FSI petrol engine, producing 152kW and 280Nm of torque, with a 0-100km/h time of 8.3 seconds, using Audi's S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive.
Fuel consumption is listed at 8.0 l/100km on the European combined cycle.
Next in the petrol range is a 3.0 litre supercharged TFSI V6, producing 224kW and 440Nm of toque, with a significantly quicker 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds. Fuel consumption is just 8.2 l/100km.
While the 2.8 litre petrol A7 will also be available with front-wheel-drive and a multitronic automatic transmission, the 3.0 litre petrol A7 will only be available with the S tronic transmission quattro AWD.
Moving into diesel territory, the 3.0 litre TDI V6 is offered in two versions. The first develops 152kW, available in a front-wheel-drive layout only and paired with Audi's multitronic automatic transmission.
The entry-level diesel gets to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds, and lists a miserly 5.3 l/100km fuel economy.
To see a video of the premiere of the new Audi A7 click on the following link
http://tv.audi.com/video/13540
