Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe. Click for more photos

Audi A7 Sportback

Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
  • Audi's new A7 Sportback four-door coupe.
Audi claims its new A7 Sportback combines the "functionality of an Avant (wagon), emotion of a coupe and the prestige of a sedan."
It's a bold claim and one that piles the weight of expectation on a car that already has a formidable challenge on its hands.
The A7 Sportback is Audi's answer to the class-defining Mercedes-Benz CLS "four-door coupe" that has been around since 2005. Since the CLS arrived the BMW 5-Series GT, Jaguar XJ and Porsche Panamera have emerged, so if Audi is coming last to the party it better make a big entrance.
Rocketing across the Tasmanian countryside, the A7 Sportback certainly feels like an Audi. There are some unique touches but by-and-large the A7 looks, sounds and drives with a four-ringed familiarity.
As the name suggests, it sits between the A6 and A8 sedans, but shares more in common with the new generation A6 range due out later this year.
There are tried and tested engines, a good dual-clutch gearbox and, of course, the company's trademark quattro all-wheel drive system.
What that means is the A7 Sportback will live or die on its styling.
Externally the car has all the familiar cues, including the imposing, single-frame grille, and the sloping roofline of the A5 Sportback.
Inside, though, Audi has given the A7 some unique styling touches that add a bit of flair. There's a large curving line that runs from the doors all the way across the top of the dashboard; similar to what you find in the Jaguar XJ.
There are swooping lines across the dashboard and a high centre console that give you a comfortable, cosseted feeling without cramping you for space.
Pride of place on the dashboard is reserved for an eight-inch full colour screen that displays all the cars settings as well as navigation.
Overall the materials are good, and what you expect to find in the rest of the Audi range, with soft-touch plastics, leather upholstery and the choice of either wood or metal inlays. Disappointingly, the section of the centre console that sits between the gearshift and glovebox is made of hard plastic that feels cheap to the touch.
Another let down on the interior design front is the integration of the optional heads-up display. The large plastic box that houses the digital display doesn't look properly finished.
But the real question is just how that dramatic coupe-like profile impinges on interior space. Audi claims the A7 boasts more rear headroom than the current generation A6 (but not the new model). That might be true by the measuring tape, but rear headroom is still compromised for even moderately tall individuals. Shoulder room is, not surprising for a four-seater, good, and legroom is reasonable, although there's no danger you'll mistake it for an A8.
It is, however competitive in its class when lined up alongside the likes of the CLS and Panamera.
Boot space is above average though, with the automatic hatchback opening up to reveal a respectable 535 litres, and that number grows to 1390 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Under the bonnet you get the choice of either the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel or the 3.0-litre supercharged V6.
The diesel, officially called 3.0 TDI, packs 180kW of power but 500Nm, which means plenty of pulling power when you plant your right foot. Driven carefully it will sip only 6.0L/100km on a mix of highway and city driving.
The supercharged petrol, known as 3.0 TFSI, produces more power, 220kW, but less torque (440Nm) than the oil-burner. While it lacks the punchy pulling power of the TDI, the extra power makes up for the deficit.
Both engines employ Audi's stop-start fuel-saving technology. During a brief sample in Hobart traffic, it did its job but could be smoother when re-starting the engine.
Another shared element on both engines is the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive.
The gearbox shifts seamlessly at speed but can be jerky at low speed, and hesitates on take-off.
Despite its coupe-styling, the A7 fails to excite on the open road. It is a competent car but at almost five-metres along and weighing in at nearly two tonnes it certainly doesn't feel like an agile, sporty coupe.
The combination of 18 or 19-inch wheels with stiff, high-profile tyres and soft, comfort-orientated suspension meant a less than pleasurable ride on the open road.
The optional air suspension improved ride somewhat but the A7 is better suited to urban environs or chewing up highway distances, instead of spirited drives in the countryside.
One of the biggest advantage coming so late to the party is Audi has been able to price the A7 underneath its most obvious rivals.
The 3.0 TDI is priced from $142,750 (plus on road and dealer charges) and the 3.0 TFSI starts at $147,800.
The A7 Sportback is a good car, but it can't quite live up to Audi's grandiose expectations. Yes, it's functional with a sizable boot, but nowhere near as practical as a wagon. Yes, its styling has coupe elements, but it is simply too big and too soft to feel truly sporty. And yes, it looks more stylish than a sedan, but without the five-seat benefits.
But marketing spin aside, the A7 Sportback will prove a competitive rival to the Mercedes CLS and the rest of the "four-door coupe" brigade.