[Taboleo] The New Audi A7... 'Ahyeong' Returns with Elegance and Wildness

#Original Fastback #Gentleman-like Appearance #Sprinter DNA #Light Acceleration #Smooth Cornering #Sedan Charm

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The 'original fastback (a shape where the roof and trunk are connected by a gentle slope)' Audi A7 has returned. Continuing the legacy of the first generation, which gained popularity with its elegant rear resembling a tuxedo and dynamic driving performance, the second generation 'The New Audi A7 55 TFSI Quattro Premium' boasts new charm with more powerful performance and convenience features. I experienced The New Audi A7 55 TFSI Quattro Premium firsthand by driving approximately 120 km from Gangnam, Seoul to Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

- Is the sophisticated exterior design still the same?

▲ The recent trend in mid-size sedans is undoubtedly the fastback. It can be seen as a survival strategy for sedans amid the global surge in popularity of sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Compared to SUVs, which emphasize high cargo capacity and comfortable visibility, sedans pursue driving stability and comfort as their strengths. Adding a touch of sporty design as a flavor enhancer increases consumers' desire to purchase.

In fact, the fastback design began with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 4-door CLS. However, it became widely known in Korea through the Audi A7 released in 2010. Since then, as fastback design spread even to mass-market cars, it has become the mainstream for sedans.

The New Audi A7 55 TFSI Quattro Premium clearly shows its identity as 'the original fastback.' The rear, where the cabin and trunk blend smoothly with a blurred distinction, is not only stylish in shape but also has advantages in dynamic performance. It pursues sportiness both functionally and design-wise but is never light or flimsy. In a way, the emphasized rear design reminds one of the back of a gentleman wearing a tuxedo.

- Is the driving performance as impressive as the design?

▲ The first impression when gripping the steering wheel and pressing the accelerator was 'lightness.' The brisk acceleration, light handling, and smooth cornering provided a comfortable driving experience throughout the test drive.

In the city, the quiet driving sensation stood out. This is a unique strength of sedans. It is stable enough that shocks are not felt even on somewhat bumpy roads. In stop-and-go traffic, the adaptive cruise assist function helped reduce driving fatigue. It worked well in maintaining lane position and distance from other vehicles, and notably, it recognized vehicles cutting sharply in front of my car effectively.

While it showed a gentlemanly demeanor in the city, it revealed a sprinter’s character during high-speed driving. The powertrain, equipped with a 3.0L V6 gasoline direct injection turbocharger (TFSI) engine and a 7-speed S tronic transmission, makes driving enjoyable. It takes just 5.8 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h. When the speed exceeds a certain level, the 'rear spoiler' hidden in the trunk activates, providing more stable driving performance. Thanks to the laminated glass, the characteristic quietness is well maintained even at high speeds.

Another feature reflecting the sprinter DNA is the side mirrors. Typically, side assist warning lights that alert when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot are located on the outer edge of the side mirror glass. However, in The New Audi A7 55 TFSI Quattro Premium, the warning light is positioned beyond the mirror glass, close to the A-pillar (the body between the front windshield and side window). The light is stronger than expected, and the blinking speed changes according to the speed of the vehicle in the blind spot. This allows the driver to be fully aware of vehicles in adjacent lanes while keeping eyes on the road ahead. Additionally, there is an exit warning system that temporarily prevents the door from opening if a vehicle approaches in the blind spot, enhancing driving safety.

At a usual driving speed of 60 km/h, fuel efficiency was 12.1 km/L, and during a performance test with somewhat aggressive driving in dynamic mode at 60 km/h, it was 10.8 km/L. Both figures exceed the official fuel efficiency of 9.5 km/L (combined fuel economy standard).

- How is the interior layout?

▲ Upon entering the driver's seat, the first thing that catches the eye is the three displays. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster provides a wealth of information. I was particularly satisfied with the feature that displays the entire navigation on the instrument cluster. The center fascia consists of two displays, upper and lower. Initially, this setup was quite confusing. I wondered, 'Why do I have to use the upper display to select navigation and the lower display to input the destination?' But after starting to drive, I quickly understood the reason.

When changing the navigation destination while driving, the mode switches from a traditional keyboard to one where you write letters directly on the display with your finger. The recognition rate was better than expected, and the somewhat low position of the gear lever did not interfere with operation. There was no need to stretch the hand high. I felt this method was much safer than pressing keys one by one on a keyboard displayed on a high-positioned screen while driving. The price of the new A7 is 95.5 million KRW (including VAT).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.