The Audi A7 Sportback 50 TDI proves that diesels also serve to travel efficiently

Elegant, large, spacious and with a line similar to a coupe, with frameless doors.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
21 June 2023 Wednesday 22:56
11 Reads
The Audi A7 Sportback 50 TDI proves that diesels also serve to travel efficiently

Elegant, large, spacious and with a line similar to a coupe, with frameless doors. Almost five meters long, five doors and a 535-liter boot capacity.

Much has been written about the current A7 Sportback, always praising the impeccable design of a luxury saloon that is a benchmark. It maintains some recognizable lines, without inventions, with the typical front grill that is a hallmark.

With its generous 4.97 meters in length and a wheelbase that reaches 2.96 meters, habitability is more than guaranteed. This generation of the A7 Sportback also evolves in driving assistance systems, with a whole technological arsenal based on laser and ultrasound scanners and different cameras (normal and infrared) located around the car.

Everything imaginable, including active and predictive cruise control that works fully automatically in traffic jams or the night vision system with pedestrian detection. This version is also especially suitable for long trips in the most comfortable way imaginable. And it is so because of its V6 diesel engine with mild hybridization (mild hybrid).

In the automotive world everything is going very fast. Too much. The massive electrification of the market, in Europe, has prematurely and unfairly condemned the diesel engine. And we say unfairly because this technology had -or still has- a long way to go. And the A7 Sportback 50 TDI is magnificent evidence of this.

Traveling with this majestic Audi is not only a pleasure for its comfort; it is also economical. And, considering the current price of electricity, it is hard to believe that it is more expensive than doing it with a 100% electric sedan of this size.

On the other hand, smooth and highly refined, Audi's V6 diesel engine offers driving pleasure that is hard to match. It has it all: it's powerful, it's responsive, and it's completely reasonable in consumption. And with a 63-liter fuel tank capacity, autonomy is close to 1,000 km.

Under the hood of the A7 Sportback 50 TDI is an efficient 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with electrically adjustable turbo, paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. As we have said, it is an extraordinarily smooth and refined engine, and with an exemplary pushing capacity thanks to its powerful 620 Nm of torque.

And the performance is really brilliant: 5.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h and 250 km/h top speed. No more is needed. And all with a combined consumption of 6.7 liters.

Likewise, as a great technological contribution, it incorporates 48 volt technology (mild hybrid) as the main network. This technology allows the engine to circulate in inertia mode (between 55 and 160 km/h) for a time of up to 40 seconds. A lithium-ion battery and an alternator acting as a starter motor allow the engine to stop running when the accelerator is released, and when the starter motor is accelerated again, the internal combustion engine starts quickly and very smoothly. this stop

On the road, the insulation and general comfort is the best that we can currently find in cars of this luxurious category. And the touch of the car, much lighter than its weight and size makes us think a priori.

The steering wheel, with a sporty design (cut at the bottom) and adequate size, incorporates the eight-speed Tiptronic gearshift paddles and the buttons to control the digital instrument panel.

On the road it allows a smooth and pleasant ride thanks to the air suspension (of variable height and hardness) and also to the driving modes: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic and individual.

And we have the invaluable collaboration of the house brand quattro drive and dynamic four-wheel steering with rear axle steer to improve the car's maneuverability and agility in any situation.

The A7 Sportback's cabin is an impeccable exercise in good taste. Like the A8, it uses very high-quality materials (wood, leather or metal). The driver has up to three digital screens within his reach, with the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit as the protagonist, located in front.

The front seats are very comfortable, with all kinds of electrical adjustments and a massage function included. It incorporates all the connectivity currently necessary, with a Bang brand sound system