2012 Audi A7 Future Car

The Audi A7 is an all-new model from Volkswagen's volume luxury brand, intended to compete with Mercedes-Benz's CLS. This new four-door coupe brings a new level of style to the segment that gives the pioneer a run for its money, and delivers in a way that BMW's 5-Series GT simply cannot.

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While the Mercedes and BMW counterparts bring a V8 to the fight, Audi instead is relying on a supercharged 3.0-liter V6, which it interestingly refers to as a 3.0T. This force-fed V6 is good for 310 horsepower, 325 lb-ft of torque and a zero-to-60 sprint of 5.4 seconds.

Of course, in the U.S. the A7 also has the latest generation quattro all-wheel drive with enhanced torque vectoring and an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The A7 also features Audi drive select, which is essentially computer tuning that takes into account the vehicle's transmission, power steering and engine output all at once to deliver optimal shift points, steering boost and throttle characteristics in four possible modes: comfort, auto, dynamic and individual.

While power and handling are certainly important aspects of the A7, it is the styling - inside and out - that defines the car. The exterior takes form of the currently very vogue "four-door coupe" format, sacrificing rear headroom for sex appeal. Because of the steep rearward slope, the trunk is also much shorter and smaller than a traditional sedan of the same size, but Audi makes up for it with a very unique to the segment rear crease that runs the width of the trunk.

While the rear of the A7 defines the vehicle from a style perspective, the front fascia and its incredibly aggressive design are not be forgotten, including the Xenon plus headlights and LED daytime running lights as standard - with optional full LED headlights with adaptive lighting. Also not to be forgotten are the standard 18-inch wheels or available 19- or 20-inch variations.

Inside, the A7 is packed with technology and luxury, ranging from the "wraparound" design that gives the driver and front passenger a feeling more akin to that of a cockpit or racecar. Materials arrive in forms that simply convey a look and feel of luxury, from the colors, to the wood veneers, to the supply and contrasting leather, to the subtle metallic accents throughout.

The Audi A7 is available with two types of leather – Milano or Valcona – which color-coordinate with the four-spoke steering wheel and transmission selector lever. Fine grain Ash wood veneers are standard, while Dark Brown Walnut and brushed aluminum trims are optional. The seat coverings are available in Black, Titanium Gray, Nougat Brown and Velvet Beige, while the headlining is available in Black, Lunar Silver and Silk Beige.

Being a modern Audi, the A7 is equipped with MMI, or multimedia interface, which includes an eight-inch pop-up display, a five-inch information LCD display and an optional heads-up display for the windshield. The MMI also boasts an industry first: the ability to recognize driver handwriting via the touch input pad, allowing for the input of both navigation and telephone information.

MMI also includes interfacing to control Google Earth for navigation, Google Local search and Wi-Fi connectivity for as many as eight different mobile devices.

Driver aid technologies include Audi's adaptive cruise control system, a color heads-up display, Night vision, Audi side assist and Audi pre sense plus. If technology-based safety systems don't tickle your fancy, Audi also offers a Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System that features 15 speakers and 1,300 watts of power to bring your music to life.

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Optional packaging

Adding the Premium Plus package will swap out the standard 18-inch wheels for 19-inch wheels, add Audi MMI Navigation plus with Audi MMI touch and Google Earth, Audi connect with a six-month trial period, front and rear parking sensors, a seven-inch color driver information system and an eight-inch Audi MMI screen, along with HD radio, CD changer and an MP3 jukebox.

The Prestige package builds upon the Premium Plus package by adding the S line exterior styling with new bumpers and grille, adds a Bose surround sound system, advanced key, four-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, adaptive and cornering lights, power adjustable steering column and LED ambient lighting for the interior.

The Innovation Package adds LED headlights, Audio pre sense plus, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, Audi side assist, head up display and Night vision assistant.

The Sport Packages include either 19- or 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and a three-spoke sport-themed steering wheel.

The Driver Assistance Package is essentially a limited version of the Innovation package aimed exclusively as safety tech, and as such adds just Audio pre sense plus, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and Audi side assist.

The final option is the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, which adds 15 speakers with a center channel and subwoofer, acoustic lens emerging tweets and speakers covers finished in an elegant aluminum.

A luxury car wouldn't be complete without a myriad of active and passive safety features to keep its precious occupants safe, as is the case with the A7. The A7 employs an adaptive restraint system that is integrated into the Audi pre sense safety system, which intelligently manages airbag deployment and seatbelt tensioners simultaneously in the event of a near of actual accident.