2013 Audi S7 Quattro front

THAT WHICH WE LIKE AND JUST WHY: We enjoy the stunning Audi S7's slick wrapper, allweather rate and handling, comfy cottage, and technological bragging rights. There Is also minimum potential for crossing paths with still another among these sport hatches in your daily commute.

THAT WHICH WE DO NOT ENJOY AND WHY: While this twin turbo V8 supposedly runs on four-cylinders occasionally, there is no signs when or if that comes to pass, and also the 4459-pound curb pounds may seem like a lot to get a moderate-size auto with aluminum skin. While filling the tank with superior petrol yields minimal differ from a Benjamin, fuel economy simply over 20 mpg is border-line satisfactory. The almost $90,000 cost can also be frightful.

Since our last report, Mi's voracious pot holes ate one tire but it is unjust to attribute the vehicle for it. (The motorist is identified and provided for remedial injury-avoidance instruction.)

While our Michigan plates are unwanted in many of Ohio, we have also guessed there. As it is quite a popular trip for long-weekend excursions, it is clear to see in what way the S7 has racked up over 33,000 miles in significantly less than the usual twelvemonth.

We jumped the pricey $5600 adaptive cruise-control and $2500 driver-support bundles, confident we're professionals at rate and lane disciplines.

No Further Tears

Even sans these additional adornments, the S7 is the high performance sedan of the time to come prowling our routes nowadays. Unique motor mounts transfer hydraulic liquid through inner passages to keep smoothness no matter the using cylinder count. We'll want to find if all of us could restrict our accelerator feet to keep our 2 1-mpg common, one greater in relation to the combined standing Audi scored in EPA assessment.

What Audi calls s-tronic is a dual clutch automatic transmission that prevents the inefficiency of a torque-converter and also the interrupted electricity flow of a stick shift. The leading differential features an electronically-controlled limited-slip; a corner Sport differential mechanically overdrives the outer wheel in a move to supply a torsion-vectoring result. This Activity diff is controlled through a digital control that tracks steering wheel angle, wheel speeds, and also the automobile's yaw speed.

The S7's unitized physique is aluminum skin over metal bones, to conserve weight. The electronically-controlled suspension has varying dampers and air springs. The push-choose display offers a range of four different styles with varying steering attempt and rate, throttle reaction, suspension damping, and transmission functioning. The air springs mechanically drop the car height by 0.4 inch at rate.

The S7's most distinguishing layout characteristic is a far-reaching roofline incorporated having a hatch entrance to the cargo deck and split up-folding backseat. Hatchbacks are shunned by most automobile buyers, but we locate them an useful approach to carry the occasional bit of bulky cargo. In cases like this, but, the sloping roofline and also the cumbersome driveline tunnel snitch interior space. The interior decoration is a spectacular example of good German craftsmanship with cross-stitched upholstery, alloy stresses, and carbon fiber trim plates.

2013 Audi S7 Quattro back

Uplifting Performance

Even though lead is, as you could envision, grip is not ever a problem. This automobile's hefty nose, 4459-pound curb weight, and chassis-tuning small cornering traction to your small 0.88 grams. The vehicle was stopped by powerful brakes in 171 feet with no trace of fade during recurrent stops. The properly-sealed windows and also the slick surface aerodynamics given a soothing 67 dBA sound level in a constant 70 miles per hour.

Part & parcel of using a high performance European automobile are rather exorbitant care expenses, plus our long term S7 has been no exception, together with the tablature for 5000-, 15,000-, and 25,000-mile support sessions topping $941. Early to the evaluation, a sound was noticed by motorists on difficult turns; the supplier reported this state to be standard with all the S7's Activity differential and activity tires. While in our attention, the S7 has been called straight back to the seller twice for upgrades, once to change the coolant thermostat and update the power steering module and afterwards to perform a fuel line recall. These were completed at no-charge.

2013 Audi S7 Quattro interior

The Laptop Computer Talks

Mi's pock-marked tarmac exacted its price to the S7's underpinnings also. With all the air suspension warning lamp on along with the automobile apparently put in Sport way, a dealer technology replaced a broken left-entrance leveling detector and re-calibrated the method ($516). Only a couple of days afterwards, a pothole promised the right-front tire, together with the resultant tire replacing and four wheel alignment jogging us $494.

Its uncanny spirit-elevating skill means you feel a lot better in the finish of the trip than at the start. The typical consensus so far is the S7 is stylish, swift, and cozy --formalwear paired having a collection of Nike running shoe. The engine's restrained manner has been valued by most motorists, but a few would favor faster low-rate throttle response and much more exhaust existence.

Yet, others noted the S7's extreme road noise, tire smack, and wind sound detracted from its extravagance nature. And also the low-rate binding of the Quattro program with reasonable directing lock in the total hefty directing feel and parking garages arrived in for criticism. One nice surprise was the S7's roomy cargo-hold, which readily consumed two paragliders as well as their motors through the suitable hatchback opening.

2013 Audi A7 TDI Quattro - Exterior and Interior Walkaround - 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show