The Audi A7 is such a machine.
It starts at about $60,000, and the test car was about $69,000. It seats only four to give what Audi says is a sense of exclusivity. It pretty much demands premium gas. Clearly not a car for everyone.
But those not put off by the price would do well not to buy some other sport sedan until they have a little time in an A7.
Based on the brand's A6 sedan, the A7 has a remarkably inviting silhouette. It's a hatchback, which is handier than a conventional sedan. Audi says it might appeal to people who were headed for a car-styled crossover SUV, such as the BMW X6 or Acura ZDX.
To our eyes, the A7 is so gorgeous we'd put up with a lot wrong. As it happens, there isn't much wrong. The short gripe list:
•Audi's incorrigible dedication to its ridiculous, needlessly confusing MMI (multimedia interface) control system. Only thing that seemed easy to do was synchronize a cellphone to the car's Bluetooth system for hands-free calling. But actually using the phone took a bit of maze-following, like most other tasks.
•It-must-be-a-joke pop-up navigation and control screen. It hides inside the dashboard when not used. Fine. Nice, smooth appearance. But when it's triggered, it motors straight out, then tips straight up to rest at about 90 degrees. Looks like a cheesy add-on. Has Audi checked out the clever and attractive way Cadillac does it? Screen rises from dashboard and is styled, positioned to look as if it actually belongs.
•Abrupt brakes. Audi's usually tops, but the A7's binders feel too touchy, even for lovers of right-by-gosh-now braking. It's too easy to end every stop with a jerk instead of a smooth shedding of momentum.
On the plus side, in addition to the breathtaking appearance, there is the breathtaking power. First, the bib, because there's going be some drooling here.
The 3-liter V-6 is supercharged, not turbocharged. Audi says the supercharger actually gives better mileage than a turbo would and makes more power.
We wonder about the mpg claim. A supercharger is driven by a belt turned by the engine, creating drag. A turbo is spun by "free" power — otherwise-wasted exhaust gas. Superchargers usually deliver a power boost instantly, while turbos lag an instant for the exhaust gas to get the turbine spinning fast enough. Both systems compress air and fill the cylinders tightly, triggering a bigger spray of fuel. When not needed, the systems can idle and not demand that extra fuel.
The A7 got what we consider agreeable mileage for the yee-hah driving it encourages (about 16 mpg in our suburban dash-about). And, wow, does it lay down the power in an extraordinary way.
The 310 hp and 325 pounds-feet of torque are plenty, but not overwhelming. Your average minivan has 280 hp or so. Yet a heavy foot in the A7 makes you feel you must be in some special machine, tuned to the nth degree.
The only reason not to drive wide-open (other than police and traffic, of course) is because rolling on the oomph in measured fashion allows you to savor it as you would a juicy steak or an exotic dark chocolate.
Perhaps the extraordinary power delivery is related to the eight-speed automatic transmission. It has the requisite overdrive gears for mileage purposes, but it also has acceleration-oriented lower ratios that are well matched to the engine's output. And it shifts through them with dispatch and elan.
Eight-speed automatics are hard to get right, but the Audi's only stumble is hunting for the right gear at very low speed — a few mph.
Standard "drive select" lets you choose among settings ranging from comfort through hey-let's-pretend-we're-in-a-race-car. Separate settings adjust steering, transmission, engine response and suspension. You can mix and match: comfort suspension, boy-racer engine response if you want. It could be a tyranny of choices, but "automatic" mode worked just fine, cushioning sufficiently on crummy roads and instantly morphing into game-faced grrrrr on those tight "S" corners that are the best part of the Test Drive route.
Other joys: Seats are comfy, interior design is elegant, hatchback is power operated, Google Earth augments the navigation system.
Of course, a $60,000 car should satisfy. But the A7 does it extraordinarily well. Better, even, than some higher-price cars.
2012 AUDI A7
What? Sleek four-door, four-passenger, all-wheel-drive, high-performance hatchback derived from the A6 sedan.
When? On sale since late April.
Where? Made at Neckarsulm, Germany.
How much? Starts at $60,125 including $875 shipping. Test car: $68,630.
Why? To appeal to those not quite ready to pony up $79,000-up for the big A8 flagship sedan — and to those looking for a hint of SUV attributes in a sedan, which Audi says are satisfied by the A7's Quattro all-wheel drive and hatchback configuration.
How powerful? 3-liter, supercharged V-6 rated 310 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, 325 pounds-feet of torque at 2,900 rpm, mated to eight-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode and AWD.
How big? On the trim side of full size: 195.6 inches long, 75.2 in. wide, 55.9 in. tall on a 114.7-in. wheelbase. Weighs 4,210 lbs.
Turning circle diameter, 39 ft.
How thirsty? Rated 18 miles per gallon in town, 28 highway, 22 combined. Trip computer in test car showed 16.1 mpg (6.21 gallons per 100 miles) in enthusiastic suburban driving. Burns premium. Holds 19.8 gallons.
Overall: A paragon, except for the ridiculous, complicated control system.
source : USA Today
