Updated Audi A7 fills a very nice niche

All-new car boasts masses of tech

THERE are plenty of niches in the car world that are a bit unnecessary. Cars built just because they can be. Like SUVs that are trying to be coupes – such as BMW’s X6.

But one niche that I do like is the four-door coupe/saloon cross that was pioneered by MercedesBenz and copied by BMW with its 6-Series Gran Coupe and Audi with the A7 Sportback.

The latter has just been updated by Audi with a totally new version that we’re testing today. It’s the sort of car that I can imagine buying in a dozen years’ time after it’s depreciated down to my level (we’ve just bought a Saab 9-3 convertible for under three grand and I’m in love with the thing already).

That said, there’s a vast amount of technology in the new A7 Sportback that could either be very expensive to fix if it ever went wrong, or perhaps impossible to repair.

For example, the car is now fitted as standard with a 48-volt electrical system that is part of a mild hybrid powertrain. At speeds from 34mph to 99mph the engine can be deactivated and the car can coast or freewheel, saving up to 0.7 litres of fuel per 62 miles.

The combined alternator/ starter then fires up the engine again; as it does when the start/ stop system, which is now active up to 13mph, is functioning.

This Sportback is 5mm shorter than before but has had an extra 21mm added to its wheelbase.

Passengers get more knee room in the back and more headroom.

Three rear seats are standard and, bearing in mind the swooping roofline, there’s generous headroom back there.

The boot is impressive, holding 535 litres with the rear seat backs in place and 1,390 litres with them down.

On the dashboard there’s more technology, with a pair of screens pinched from the A8 luxury saloon, the top one 10.1in wide which deals with a vast array of functions, and a smaller 8.6in

This is one of the most eye-catching motors that Audi makes

screen that’s mainly used for the heating and ventilation.

The instruments behind the steering wheel are all digital and there’s plenty of scope for changing the display with multiple formats. It’s all impressive and relatively easy to operate.

Behind the big mesh grille, which is even larger than the previous model’s radiator grille, sits the choice of petrol or diesel V6 engines. Our test car has the latter, a 3.0-litre unit that produces 286bhp and has a combined fuel consumption of 50.4mpg.

The coasting function, especially when driving on our trafficclogged stop/start motorways, is very effective and it’s likely that you will actually achieve 50mpg.

The diesel engine comes with a conventional torque converter automatic transmission, whereas the petrol comes with a double clutch auto. Both are connected to a Quattro system which means it has four-wheel drive.

The engine is very quiet at speed and there’s barely any noise from the suspension or the wind. Unfortunately the tranquillity is broken by tyre roar on poor surfaces. Our test car was fitted with standard 19in wheels but 20in and 21in are also available.

Small wheels are lighter which means less unsprung weight. But the ride over bumps at lower speeds isn’t brilliant on the 19in wheels and I suspect it would be even worse on the bigger ones.

The new A7 Sportback is one of the most eye-catching cars Audi makes; only the A5 coupe is more svelte and desirable. At £55,940 it’s expensive but could be a great used car if they stay reliable.