The five-door Audi A7 Sportback coupé has been selected the winner of the “Auto Build” Design Summit. According to Audi, a distinguished jury panel evaluated the design of a total of ten new cars in which the Audi A7 Sportback was voted number one by a wide margin for its outstanding design.
Audi noted that recognised design experts such as James Kelly, who heads the Transportation Design Department at Pforzheim University, expressed high praise for the large coupé. “The design of the Audi A7 Sportback was the best in the group by far. The low tail section is especially impressive! I’d buy it immediately,” Kelly had said.
Similarly, Othmar Wickenheiser, Professor of Transportation Design at Munich University of Applied Sciences, also praised the car’s styling: “An absolutely harmonious design concept, unembellished flanks, sinewy shoulders, streamlined sides – perfect.”
Audi said well-known architect and design critic Hans-Ulrich von Mende and Prof. Paolo Tumminelli of the International School of Design in Cologne also selected the Audi A7 Sportback as the winner in a list of categories including proportions, styling, innovation, haptics and quality.
“We are extremely pleased with this achievement – to be selected by a jury of such experts in the field of design. The award confirms the outstanding position of the Audi A7 Sportback within the competitive field, and the excellent response from our customers confirms the appeal of this car,” said Stefan Sielaff, Head of Audi Design, noting that with aesthetic athletics and elegance on a grand scale, Audi again emphasises design with the A7 Sportback.
He explained that the five-door coupé measures 4.97 metres (16.31 ft) long and 1.91 metres (6.27 ft) wide, but just 1.42 metres (4.66 ft) high, adding that its long hood, sporty, flowing C-pillars and the steep drop of the rear section present a dynamic overall image.
The interior, he said, is also a testament to the meticulous attention to detail that Audi puts into building cars, noting that the quality of the craftsmanship is on a par with fine handcrafted goods. He said the senses are pampered with high quality new materials, including veneers made with a laminated-wood technique, options, he noted, include ambient lighting that highlights the interior, adding that options available for the front seat include ventilation and massage features, while another option allows the contours of the lateral support in the seat and backrest to be individually adjusted.
He explained that Audi delivers the A7 Sportback with one of four powerful and cultivated V6 engines – two petrol-powered and two diesel-powered, and have a capacity of between 150 kW (204 hp) and 220 kW (300 hp), and their efficiency sets the standard in this class of vehicle.
He said the new 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp), which would be available for order at a later date, has a multitronic transmission, which uses an average of just 5.3 litres of fuel per 100 km (44.38 mpg) – the CO2 emissions of just 139 grams per km (223.70 g/mile) is groundbreaking, adding that all engines work with a recuperation system, thermal management and a start-stop system.
