Ultra’s the intelligent Audi choice

ROAD TEST

Long, lean and packed with techno wizardry, the Audi A7 Sportback is a car that catches the eye from every angle.

As a spacious four-seater with plenty of room for luggage it’s realistically more of a grand tourer than anything else – and an exclusive one at that.

The A7 oozes quality from every pore, whether it be the power of the engines, development of the technology, appointment of the cabin or precision of the engineering. It cuts a dash in every department.

While all bar two of the dozen 3.0-litre engines are diesels, the most economical are the Ultra versions which combine efficiency with six cylinder power and the German brand’s seven-speed twin clutch S tronic transmission.

You can blast from 0-62mph in a handy 7.3 seconds en route to a top speed of 149mph yet still have the potential to return 60.1 miles per gallon.

Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Ultra

At least that’s when conservatively driven, though this isn’t the sort of car you drive too conservatively.

Refined and well balanced, the A7 shows terrific poise through bends, possesses a huge amount of grip and feels superbly engineered, while the car’s sound insulation is also of high order.

For those who want to vary the driving experience there’s the Audi Drive Select system with its Auto, Comfort and Dynamic modes, the latter of which substantially firms everything up.

From a practicality viewpoint there’s ample rear head and legroom for two tall passengers plus a long but shallow boot that can cope with plenty of clobber. Fold the rear seats down and the flat floor can cope with a couple of golf bags and trolleys.

The only downside is a wide transmission tunnel which makes travel for a centre rear passenger uncomfortable.

Classy multi-spoke alloys on the Audi A7 Sportback Ultra

Upmarket gadgetry is everywhere, from a bright head-up display and internet on the go to parallel parking and Matrix LED headlights. Problem is, the gizmos don’t come cheap.

Even though the high end S line trim grade provides a wealth of kit, you still have to shell out £1,000 for a Bose sound system, £3,995 for a Technology pack and £990 for a tilt and slide sunroof.

That said, 20-inch wheels and perforated leather and alcantara upholstery are part of the standard offering.

Audi A7 Sportback Ultra