Audi A7 3.0 V6 TDI BiTurbo 313 CV, test drive (Exterior design, space and finishes)

We have already had a first look at the Audi A7 that we at Highmotor have tested for you. In the first part of the test we explained how it performs and the performance of its powerful 313 CV BiTurbo diesel engine. With a diesel like this, who wants a petrol engine?

Another attraction of the Audi A7 is its striking exterior design: a four-door coupé with a clear sporty accent that leaves no one indifferent. This, its interior, the space it offers occupants and the size of its boot, is what we are going to talk about in this second part of the test.

Exterior design

The first thing that catches your attention about the car is its front, imposing and aggressive. Our unit had the S-Line trim, and the front headlights were LED for all lighting functions, creating a cutting-edge look.

At first glance it may seem it has no fog lights, but it does; they are simply integrated into the headlights. They work correctly. We had the chance to test them in fog, and they don’t illuminate as low as the typical ones located at the bottom of the bumper, but they provide adequate lighting.

The sporty bumpers and side skirts kept the sporty image typical of a vehicle that exceeds 300 CV. The rear honours the coupé philosophy with a pronounced slope, ending in large headlights, also with LED technology. Presiding over the lower part of the rear bumper are two exhaust outlets, and it has a spoiler that deploys electrically when exceeding 130 km/h or if we press the button inside.

On the sides, the large 20-inch wheels and the doors with frameless windows complete the picture. The tyres measured 265/35 R20, a profile that is too low on very uneven asphalt. The wide opening of the boot lid also stands out; you need to be careful if you open it inside garages that are not very high.

Interior design, space and comfort

Inside, the dashboard wraps around the driver, with a low driving position, sporty in character and with everything within reach. The S-Line seats offer good body support, ideal for driving more dynamically and providing good lateral support. The rear bench slides forward, something the front passenger will especially appreciate.

The dashboard’s design lines are very reminiscent of the Audi A6, since they share some elements. The quality is high, with practically the entire dashboard covered in soft, pleasant-to-the-touch plastics, as well as very precise fit and finish.

The large central screen is the focal point of the centre console. This screen is electric and retracts when we switch off the car. All the controls for the multimedia system are on the central tunnel, as is typical of all Audi models.
We were surprised by the huge instrument display, full colour and with plenty of information about the car: on-board computer, multimedia system, phone, navigation, among others.

In the rear seats there is room for three occupants. It is a five-seater (a distinguishing feature compared with a Mercedes CLS, which is only four-seat), but it is really designed for two people to travel in full comfort. The ceiling is low, however, and there is not much headroom. The rear-seat occupants, in addition to having comfortable seats, also have two air vents on the central tunnel and at the sides.

Storage and boot

In terms of storage spaces, the Audi A7 is very well equipped: it has a large main glovebox, storage in the regular doors, cup holders, a compartment in front of the gear lever, and a small compartment under the armrest.

The boot is spacious, but not very deep. As I mentioned earlier, you do need to be careful with the tailgate because it opens very wide, and in a low garage it can give you a scare. In total it has a capacity of 535 litres.

In the third part of the test we will discuss the equipment, the safety systems included on our Audi A7, the prices, and we will wrap up with our assessment of the car.

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