The 2020 Audi S7 is a German technological tour de power. Its taillights and headlights greet the proprietor with a welcoming mild present upon urgent the unlock button. Electric, soft-close doorways whir shut luxuriously. An array of three spectacular HD screens stare again on the driver awaiting instruction. The distinctive electrical compressor makes delicate whining noises upon stomping the throttle pedal. It’s a mild-hybrid with a 48-volt electrical system, sometimes, shutting off the engine whereas coasting at excessive pace or because it trundles as much as a purple mild. All of it actually makes you surprise: How will this automotive be getting alongside 25 years from now? A scary thought, given all of the stereotypes of complicated, used German automobiles. Let’s not concern for the longer term, although. This tech is spectacular, so that you may as effectively take pleasure in it.
Since that is the S7, along with it having all of the A7’s tech doo-dads, it’s additionally sporty. The most notable addition is the two.9-liter twin-turbo V6 underneath the lengthy hood. It produces 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque (109 and 74 greater than the A7 respectively), sending the S7 to 60 mph in simply 4.5 seconds through the automotive’s launch management mode. This mannequin and the S6 are the primary two Audis bought within the U.S. to make the most of Audi’s electrical turbocharging expertise. The electrical compressor is run off the automotive’s 48-volt electrical system and features as a torque filler whereas the normal turbos construct increase. Ultimately, the purpose is to remove what we regularly confer with as turbo lag, giving the motive force a extra related really feel to the powertrain and rising throttle response. All this energy is routed via an eight-speed automated transmission and doled out through Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.
The last-gen S7 had a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 underneath hood that made 6 horsepower extra and 37 pound-feet of torque lower than the brand new S7. It additionally sprinted to 60 mph in the identical 4.5 seconds, a shock contemplating that vehicles hardly ever keep the course on pace in a brand new technology. In virtually each circumstance, the producer makes the brand new automotive extra highly effective and quicker than the previous. That’s merely not the case with the 2020 S7. However, there may be one silver lining to the downsized engine. This new S7 achieves barely higher gasoline economic system than the outgoing automotive, ticking up one mpg in each class. Still, it’s a little bit of a drinker coming in at 22 mpg mixed.
Similar to the earlier S7, this one has an non-compulsory S sport bundle ($4,000) to show the wick up a bit extra. It provides a sport quattro differential, sport exhaust, all-wheel steering and red-painted brakes. Audi upgrades the brakes as customary for the S7, and it additionally comes with an “S-tuned” adaptive air suspension. Our tester has the even higher S Sport adaptive metal suspension ($350) that provides probably the most dynamic of experiences. The huge bundle is costly, however well worth the coin if you happen to intend to take full benefit of the “S” in S7.
The results of Audi’s fiddling is a fast (however not too quick) luxurious boat that responds kindly to being tossed round. Holding the throttle to the ground leads to hurried acceleration from the graceful V6, however it’s the noise that’s much more spectacular. Each shift is capped off by a riiiiiiiip that’s quite un-Audi-like in nature, echoing off buildings and inflicting a common ruckus wherever you go. That sport exhaust is a bit infantile for such a black-tie and suspenders form of automotive, and for that, we are saying amen.
Hopping on the big clampers is reassuring. This huge (4,597 kilos) Audi can scrub pace in a rush, and it does so with out inducing clenching. Despite the burden and huge footprint, the S7 is remarkably straightforward to hustle spherical corners. The automotive stays flat and managed with the adaptive dampers in Dynamic mode, however the chassis’ flexibility and forgiveness make it splendid to push on imperfect pavement, too.
There’s an simple digital feeling to the entire endeavor, however it’s at all times obvious whenever you’re approaching the bounds via a nook. The weight switch to the entrance tires and tendency to understeer makes driving it quick very approachable for many, however it might get boring if you happen to’re the kind who desires a automotive to really feel alive. If that’s the case, allow us to introduce you to this automotive’s traction management off change. One press of this turns TCS off and places stability management in a extra relaxed state of being. After a jab of the enjoyable pedal in a good left-hander despatched the rear sliding out, we knew we’d discovered the suitable button to make this automotive particularly enjoyable to drive. The beforehand tame and severe chassis turns right into a tail-wagging, smile-inducing toy. It’s a lot deserving of the S badge.
Audi vegetation quite a lot of of these S badges all through the automotive’s exterior and inside, too. The S mannequin can also be distinguished through silvery-gray trim all through and S-specific bumpers. It’s not overtly sporty, however the S7 has a slight edge that’s lacking in the usual A7. This automotive’s form at all times has been and nonetheless is seductive. Those preferring a cleaner design will just like the earlier S7, as the brand new one appeals to somebody with flashier style. It’s extra brash and angrier regardless of sharing the sloping sportback roofline of earlier than that’s develop into so influential in sedan designs.
That form remains to be serving to it out in a sensible sense, too. The S7 has 24.9 cubic-feet of house behind the rear seats, whereas the S6 (its sedan counterpart) makes do with simply 13.7 cubic-feet. If most house is the aim in a automotive this dimension, nothing beats the brand new A6 Allroad’s 30 cubic-feet of house. Still, the compromise in baggage capability within the S7 isn’t unhealthy contemplating the wagon simply edges it out.
Compared to an AMG or M Sport mannequin, the S7 is tempered, coming off as a stately, luxurious mannequin in most circumstances. Even the metal suspension rides effectively over pavement. A wisping of wind noise from the mirrors enters the cabin at freeway speeds, however twist the dial on the Bang and Olufsen audio system and the whole lot disappears. It’s one of the vital fulfilling listening experiences in any five-figure luxurious automotive bought right now. Everything you work together with and contact has a sense of heft and high quality, together with correct damping. This all contributes to creating the automotive really feel its asking value.
As you’d anticipate, the S7 is dear, coming in at $84,495. Our pretty loaded tester skyrocketed the worth as much as $101,340. Audi makes each bundle so tempting that we’d wrestle to say no to any of them. If pressed for money, the $5,600 Prestige bundle might go, however we nonetheless need the S Sport bundle and Bang and Olufsen sound.
The greatest deterrent to going S7 is the large low cost you get for going with an S6. Most of the vitals are equal among the many two, however the S6 is $10,000 cheaper. You have to like this physique form and plan on benefiting from the additional boot house to pay that form of premium. And though the S7 seems to be spectacular, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class are putting in their very own methods. That stated, no person else makes a automotive similar to the S7 with its expansive cargo house; each the Mercedes and BMW have smaller trunks. Since it’s in a league of its personal there, the S7 may simply be the area of interest possibility for you. An AMG GT 53 4-Door Coupe and Panamera might make the ultimate minimize listing, however they’re considerably dearer than the S7 from the outset.
Swapping from the V8 to the V6 engine hasn’t ruined the S7 both. If you desire a really racy model of this automotive, the RS 7 is alive and effectively with 591 horsepower ready within the wings. This center floor is a candy one which merely punches up the beautiful and sedate A7 with a shot of character.