2013 Audi S7 first drive
Audi has just confirmed the S6 for India, the car will launch anytime in the next few months. However the car you're seeing here is the S7. Audi hasn't confirmed an India launch soon but are considering it. That's exactly why we drove the car in Munich.
The A7 is unique when it comes to design and the S7 retains it. Audi designers have added a hint of sportiness to the car. The front bumper is new and houses a different front grille with S7 badging and a new air dam with redesigned fog lamps. This gives the car a sporty look. The car uses the same body panels as the A7 so visually the car looks similar but rides lower and features large 20-inch wheels mounted to low profile tyres. The car is best viewed from the back, the menacing quad exhausts taking centre stage. Inside, the interiors get the S treatment with special single piece bucket seats covered with leather/alcantara or both. The car we drove featured a special carbon pack that's part of optional equipment.
No S is complete without a powerful engine. The S4 is supercharged but the S7 features a twin turbo V8 petrol (the same unit is used in the S6). The TFSI motor puts out a phenomenal 420PS at 6400rpm and 550Nm torque from as low as 1400rpm. The direct fuel injection engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. We drove the car around the Munich airport and on the Autobahn. The twin turbocharger means there is no turbo lag at all. Power delivery is instant and the revs climb up quickly. The car propels to 100kmph in a claimed 4.7 seconds and on roads like the autobahn the car effortlessly cruises at speeds over 200kmph and max out at 250kmph. The engine features cylinder-on demand technology so when not needed the car utilizes only four cylinders making it more fuel efficient and at the same time less audible inside the cabin.
In terms of dynamics, adaptive air suspension, all-wheel drive and a servotronic speed sensitive steering ensures the car handles well in both demanding and regular driving situations. In terms of features the S7 carries forward every feature of the A7 and in addition is offered with a specially engineered BOSE sound system as standard fitment. The Audi S6 is expected to launch by end of April or early May and we expect Audi to launch the S7 this year.
