Audi A7 3.0 V6 TDI BiTurbo 313 CV, road test (Equipment, prices and assessment)

We have reached the final part of the road test of the Audi A7. Over the past week we have told you how this coupé-style saloon performs with its powerful and capable 3.0 V6 TDI BiTurbo engine producing 313 CV. The first part of the test, in particular, covers everything related to the engine, performance, handling and consumption.

In the second part we analysed the exterior design, which is sporty and eye-catching, as well as the interior design and the space it offers its occupants. We have not overlooked its boot, which exceeds 500 litres of capacity, or the quality of the materials, which is in line with the segment.

Now it is time to talk about the equipment, where the comprehensive range of safety systems available on the Audi A7 stands out. Technology is also present in the headlights, all of them LED, and in the interior, where no detail is missing. We will also cover prices and the car’s overall assessment.

Equipment

When we start this section we always review first the safety equipment that a car comes with as standard, in this case the Audi A7. From the base trim it includes: front, front side, rear side, front and rear head airbags, the SAFE braking assistant, forward collision warning, stability control, ABS, tyre pressure monitoring, among other features.

We do not have the EuroNCAP crash test results because it was never submitted for testing, but it is certain that it would achieve the maximum five-star rating.

When it comes to safety, it does not skimp on equipment, and the specification can be extended further with extras such as blind-spot warning with mirror-mounted indicators, lane change assist, full LED headlights, among others.

The blind-spot warning with mirror-mounted indicators alerts us to a vehicle in the blind spot when we activate the indicator; the LEDs integrated in the mirror then flash several times to warn us.

Meanwhile, the lane departure assist not only warns us when we change lane unintentionally, but also turns the steering wheel, provided the bend is not too pronounced (the car provides 20% of the force and the driver the rest). As soon as we stop touching the wheel, the system switches off for safety.

The optional equipment list on our unit continues, as it was fitted with the camera package, six cameras in total covering the car’s entire perimeter (two rear side, one central rear, one front and two front side). Although if parking is not your thing, you can always rely on the parking assistance system, which takes care of steering the car completely automatically.

For those who drive a lot at night or simply want good night-time illumination, the front headlights with LED technology for all lighting functions are an interesting extra and offer superb lighting.

Prices

• Audi A7 Sportback 2.8 FSI multitronic 8-speed €59,460
• Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 204 CV multitronic 8-speed €60,630
• Audi A7 Sportback 2.8 FSI quattro S tronic 7-speed €62,720
• Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro 204 CV S tronic 7-speed €63,730
• Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro 245 CV S tronic 7-speed €67,460
• Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro 245 CV clean diesel S tronic 7-speed €68,810
• Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 7-speed €69,540
• Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 BiTDI 313 CV quattro tiptronic 8-speed €71,490
• Audi S7 Sportback 4.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 7-speed €96,110

Overall Assessment

Having tested this combination of the Audi A7 with the new BiTDI twin-turbo engine producing 313 CV, the experience has been very good. Audi shows that it is possible to build a car that is both economical and sporty. With this engine you get it all: power, traction and good consumption, with dynamic response that lives up to expectations.

As for its image, the Audi A7 plays in the territory of exclusivity. The eye-catching S-Line exterior in particular leaves no pedestrian indifferent and is the centre of attention wherever it goes. Inside there is enough room for five adults, a differentiating point compared with the CLS, which only offers four seats, although the A7’s centre rear seat is small.

The dashboard has the typical sobriety of Audi, although the finish is up to the premium label. The same applies to the equipment, where by going through the list of extras we can have an Audi A7 with everything imaginable and more.

Compared with the Mercedes CLS, the A7 takes a different path, offering a more sporty image. Although both models have powerful and capable diesel engines, in the case of the CLS the most powerful diesel is “only” 265 CV, although this is offset by the 525 CV CLS AMG. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé has a powerful 313 CV diesel, a direct rival to this BiTurbo A7.

The ability to select different driving modes is a point in the A7’s favour, as it offers greater versatility. In short, it is a worthy rival to the Mercedes CLS or the newly arrived BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé.

Photos | Test team: Rubén R., Sergio R., Diego G. Moreira