Audi’s latest version of the A7 Sportback is on its way to showrooms, and as the flagship coupe in the German brand’s line-up, it comes with some of the latest tech.
The second-generation model is crammed full of features to aid your driving and make navigating the multimedia and interior accessories much easier.
So, what has Audi done to make this model so interesting? We went to South Africa to drive the A7 and find out…
It has semi-autonomous features
In an attempt to make cars easier to drive, autonomous systems are being fitted to vehicles more frequently – and with the A7 it is no different. The features included on the Sportback are designed to make long-distance driving that little bit less trying. The headline piece is the adaptive cruise control, which as well as tracking the car in front so you keep a suitable distance, it also reads the road markings either side so you stay in your lane. What it isn’t is fully driverless, so it does mean you have to keep your hands on the wheel – but it will help reduce fatigue.
Parking should be a breeze
With parking pilot and garage pilot, the A7 can drive itself out of spaces – and you don’t even have to be behind the wheel. With a smartphone app, the driver can guide the car to where they are, instead of having to squeeze in through a tight space. It would prevent the car getting knocked on garage walls and other cars for sure, and will make getting on your way that little bit easier.
The LED headlights can be changed out for laser ones
LED lights are seen more often than not on vehicles now, but Audi’s LED lights are somewhat of a party piece. When turning on or off, the A7’s rear light bar scrolls from side-to-side. The top-spec HD Matrix LED headlights can stay switched on full beam at all times, and detect oncoming vehicles as to not shine too brightly. But optional laser lights are available, which according to Audi are twice as bright as the LED alternatives on high beam.
It’s nimble thanks to all-wheel steering
The previous A7 was known for being an excellent cruiser on the open road, but wasn’t quite as comfortable on the twistier sections of tarmac. With the new model, however, it is all change and it now comes all-wheel steering. That means when the car is turning at slow speeds, the rear wheels move in the opposite direction to effectively shorten the wheelbase and offer a smaller turning circle, while at higher speeds, all the wheels turn the same way for improved stability.
The mild-hybrid setup helps efficiency and performance
With full electrification on the way for the motoring industry, car companies are incorporating the technology into their powertrains. The A7 follows the way made by the A8 last year and incorporates an electric motor that is paired to either the petrol or diesel engine. The electrical system helps run the car allowing the engine to switch off and save fuel, while also aiding acceleration when the car gets underway and the engine is running at its best. It will help save fuel in the long run and also runs many of the internal electrical systems, too.
Dual touchscreens are the centre-piece of the interior
To reduce clutter and make the interior truly modern, Audi has done away with the vast majority of the buttons found on most dashboards and replaced them with two central touchscreens. Coming with haptic touch and sound feedback, the screens control pretty much every feature of the car, such as the satellite navigation, multimedia system and climate control. It will take time to get used to however, as it can be quite difficult to navigate without looking at it while driving.
