The 2019 Audi A7 finally broke cover Thursday in Germany,
the second generation for the sleek luxury sedan that set the world on fire
with its daring silhouette.
The 4-door fastback likely goes on sale in the U.S. sometime
late next year, although details about the sedan's availability were few and
far between.
The second-generation A7 has a long road ahead of it before
it goes on sale in the U.S., but its initial powertrain offering will be a
3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 that makes 340 horsepower and will use a 48-volt,
mild-hybrid system, according to Audi. The duo should result in a 34 mpg
combined average, on the European cycle (EPA-rated figures tend to be lower). A
plug-in hybrid A7 will appear later, according to Audi, although those
specifics weren't announced.
A higher performance turbo-6 may make an appearance in a
higher-spec S7 model that will surely follow. An RS 7 is almost certain at some
point soon, which may sport a high-output V-8 or a performance-focused hybrid
powertrain.
The newest A7 was penned by Audi's design boss Marc Lichte,
but based heavily on Stefan Sielaff's design from 2010. The new look features
the same proportions as the outgoing version—long hood, tapering roof line, and
kammback tail—although the newest model diverges with a lower nose with a
hexagonal grille, and chiseled surfaces.
The new A7's wheelbase is roughly half an inch longer, even
though the overall length is half an inch shorter than the outgoing model.
Large, 21-inch wheels are available to fill out the wheel arches, but the
overall height has stayed the same.
The most expressive exterior feature may be the solid strip
of LED taillights at the rear that, at least in European markets, cascade
toward the corners.
Inside, the A7 takes a larger departure from the outgoing
model with a utilitarian horizontal dash layout with touchscreen controls for
nearly every function, including climate control. Eschewing the
last-generation's screen on top of the dash and rotary controller, the new
infotainment system is a touchscreen-only affair highlighted by a 10.1-inch top
screen. Underneath the infotainment system is a secondary 8.6-inch touchscreen
that controls climate functions, seat settings, and Audi's Drive Select
controller.
The A7 rides on parent-company Volkswagen's MLB platform
that has been modified in recent models. The same platform underpins the
current Q7, Q5, and A8, although the A7 will be most closely related to the
next-generation A6, which is also due next year. The lighter weight platform
should be a boon to fuel economy and performance with stiffer, higher strength
steel used throughout and aluminum components to shed weight.
Audi integrated rear-wheel steering into the A7 that can
dial in up to 5 degrees of steering to counter-steer at slow speeds to
virtually shorten its wheelbase and turning circle, or at high speeds can steer
in concert with the front wheels for better stability at higher speeds.
The next-gen platform likely will mean that the A7 will
likely sport the latest in self-driving hardware, which made its debut in the
A8. Audi's self-driving system, dubbed Traffic Jam Pilot, is Level-3 capable at
speeds lower than 37 mph. Audi says that a Level-3-enabled version of the A7
will eventually hit the road, but a date hasn't yet been set.
source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1113363_2019-audi-a7-preview
by Aaron Cole
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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