The Audi A7 is an executive car produced by Audi since 2010. A five-door liftback, it features a sloping roofline with a steeply raked rear window and integrated boot lid (forming the so-called "Sportback"), and four frameless doors.

The Audi Sportback concept is a concept vehicle powered by a 3.0-litre V6 TDI clean diesel engine rated at 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp) and 550 N⋅m (406 lbf⋅ft) of torque. It features a 7-speed S tronic transmission, quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system, five-link front suspension, continuous damping control shock absorbers, electromechanical steering, ceramic brake discs (380 mm front and 356 mm rear), front 6-piston monobloc aluminum brake calipers, rear floating-caliper brakes and 21-inch wheels.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show.^[2][3][4]

The A7 is in essence, a four door fastback version of the C7-series Audi A6, based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform. The A7 was released before the more conventional A6 saloon/estate.^[6] Both cars share the same core structure, drivetrain, chassis, dashboard and interior, whilst the A7 has its own unique exterior panelwork. It also differs from the A6 in that it uses aluminium for much of its front body structure. The A7 was also the first fastback to appear within the Audi C-platform series since the Avant version of the C2 Audi 100, which was discontinued in 1982.

The vehicle was unveiled in Pinakothek der Moderne art museum in Munich on 26 July 2010,^[7] and later at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, 2011 New York Auto Show,^[8] Wörthersee Tour 2011 (in Misano Red)^[9]

The vehicles went on sale in fall 2010. Early models include 2.8 FSI (204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp)) with multitronic, 3.0 TFSI quattro (300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp)) with seven-speed S tronic, 3.0 TDI quattro (245 PS (180 kW; 242 hp)) with seven-speed S tronic; followed by 3.0 TDI (204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp)) with multitronic.^[10][11][12]

The 2011 model year A7 introduces FlexRay high speed databus that controls all the driver assistance systems from the A8, but it adds head-up display and active lane assist. Full LED headlamps with Automatic high beam switching or Audi adaptive light (Xenon) with variable headlight range control.

US models went on sale 2012 model year vehicles. Early models include 3.0 TFSI quattro (310 PS (228 kW; 306 hp)) with an 8-speed automatic transmission.^[13][14]

The S7 is a version of the A7 with a 4.0 litres (3,993 cc) biturbo TFSI V8 engine rated at 420 PS (309 kW; 414 hp) and 550 N⋅m (406 lbf⋅ft) of torque, as well as a quattro four wheel drive system and 7-speed S–tronic gearbox. The S7 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 4.7 seconds.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show,^[15] and later in 2012 Audi quattro Cup.^[16]

Delivery of the S7 began in spring 2012.^[17]

Reviewers have cited the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class as the inspiration to the Audi A7 in the four-door executive sedan market.^[18]

The following internal combustion engines are available,^[19] with variations dependent on market.

In the ICOTY Awards, the Audi A7 was named the International Car of the Year in 2012.^[20]

AutoWeek magazine named the Audi A7 as the Best of the Best/Car for 2012.^[21]

Esquire magazine named the Audi A7 as the 2011 Esquire Car of the Year.^[22]

Automobile Magazine named the Audi A7 "2012 Automobile of the Year".^[23]

As part of the A7 Sportback product launch, a launch campaign was created in collaboration with the London advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty. The birth story of the A7 Sportback became the inspiration of the Paper Liberation spot.^[24][25]

As part of the A7 launch in the US, a papercraft version of 2012 Audi A7 was produced.^[26]

As part of the S7 launch in the US, a Super Bowl commercial was produced.^[27]

A7 3.0 TDI quattro (313 PS (230 kW; 309 hp)) (as A7 3.0 BiTDI quattro) was added to the UK market.^[28]

The A7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro was unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.^[29]

US model of A7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro was set to go on sale in fall 2013 as 2014 model year vehicle.^[30]

The A7 Sportback Black Edition is a version of the A7 (excluding 3.0 TDI (204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp)), S7) for the UK market. It includes 21-inch rotor-design alloy wheels with a dark titanium finish with further lowered S line sports suspension, black grille and number plate surrounds and the window frame strips, and by privacy glass extending from the B-pillar rearwards; Piano Black inlays, sports seats upholstered in black Valcona leather, black headlining, BOSE audio system with DAB radio and AMI from SE specification and above, S line equipment package (satellite navigation, light and rain sensors, Xenon all-weather headlights and LED rear lights, Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, Audi parking system plus, keyless go), powered tailgate operation, electrically adjustable front seats and a powered retractable rear spoiler.

Sales began in November 2012, with deliveries began in early 2013.^[31]

The RS 7 has a 4.0 TFSI twin scroll twin turbo V8 engine rated at 412 kW (560 PS; 553 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lbf⋅ft) of torque, as well as cylinder on demand system deactivates intake and exhaust valves of 4 cylinders (2, 3, 5 and 8), eight-speed tiptronic transmission with D and S driving modes, quattro with torque vectoring with self-locking center differential with a high locking rate and oil cooler (optional quattro with sport differential with two superposition gears), polished 20-inch forged wheels in a seven twin-spoke design (optional 21-inch cast wheels in a choice of three designs), four internally vented diameter brake discs with 390 mm (15.4 in) diameter front discs and black (optional red) painted six-piston calipers (optional 420 mm (16.5 in) carbon fiber ceramic discs with anthracite gray calipers), electronic stabilization control with Sport and off modes, adaptive air suspension lowering body by 20 mm (0.79 in) (optional tauter sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control), optional Dynamic all-wheel steering with continuously variable steering boost and ratio, high-gloss black protective grille with honeycomb structure at the front of the car, add-on parts in matte aluminum, power extending spoiler, two elliptical tailpipe trims, a choice of 10 body colours (including Nardo gray, exclusive finish Daytona gray, matte effect), optional matte aluminum and carbon styling packages, footrest, pedals and soft keys in the standard MMI navigation plus terminal in an aluminum-look finish; decorative trim below the retractable monitor in piano finish, carbon inlays (four optional additional materials), headlining in black cloth (optional lunar silver or black Alcantara), RS sport seats with side bolsters and integrated head restraints and RS 7 logos upholstered in black Alcantara and leather with diamond quilting at center sections (optional honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar silver), optional power-adjustable comfort seats with memory function, contoured rear seats, xenon plus headlights, a tire pressure monitoring system, the parking system plus, three-zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control, Audi sound system, MMI navigation plus, adaptive cruise control with Start-stop system including Audi pre sense front.

The RS 7 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The optional dynamic package and dynamic package plus increase top speeds to 280 km/h (174 mph) and 305 km/h (190 mph) respectively.

Other options include the exterior mirrors with exposed carbon housings and the all-LED headlights, head-up display, a comfort package, the dynamic package, the dynamic package plus, Bluetooth online car phone, Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 NAIAS.^[32][33]

Audi announced the RS 7 Performance along with the RS 6 Performance on 22 October 2015.^[34] It is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine as the standard RS 7, but now with 605 PS (445 kW; 597 hp) at 6,100-6,800 rpm and 750 N⋅m (553 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 2,500-5,500 rpm.^[35] The top speed remains limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) as standard, and there are optional Dynamic and Dynamic Plus packages that raise the top speed to 280 km/h (174 mph) and 305 km/h (190 mph) respectively. The RS 7 Performance will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h (0 to 124 mph) in 12.1 seconds. Despite the improved performance, the fuel economy and CO2 are unchanged from the standard RS 6 Avant.

Audi unveiled the 2015 A7 facelift in May 2014.^[36] Changes include:

The second generation of the A7 was revealed in October 2017, officially launched in Germany in February 2018, and has been on sale in Europe since late 2017^[39] and made its debut for the North American market at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on 12 January 2018.^[40] Production started in February 2018 at Audi's Neckarsulm plant.^[41]

At launch, the A7 was powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine making 250 kW (340 PS; 335 hp) and 500 N⋅m (369 lbf⋅ft), an engine also used in the new Audi A8. Further engines will follow soon after the start of production.^[42]

All units will receive a 48-volt vehicle electrical system, which together with the belt alternator starter (BAS) comprises the MHEV system (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle).^[43]