New Audi S7 (2102) revealed

Audi has revealed the 2012 Audi S7 – with a 420bhp V8 – ahead of its debut at Frankfurt in September. On sale Spring 2012.

Frankfurt 2011 is going to be very un-eco for Audi as they present to the world the latest generation of their powerful ‘S’ range. This one is the 2012 Audi S7 Sportback.

Just like the 2012 Audi S6 and Avant, the 2012 S7 gets the new Audi/Bentley V8 with 420bhp and a 0-62mph of 4.9 seconds. Which is actually 0.1 slower than the S6 even though the S7 is really just an S6 Coupe. Oh well, what’s a tenth between siblings?

Just like the S6 and Avant, the S7 comes with Audi’s cylinder shutoff attached which means you don’t need to use all the engine all the time. It’s another clever technology which does more for the official fuel consumption tests than it does in real life, but the headline figure is impressive at 29.1mpg (the same as the S6).

Power from the new V8 goes to all four wheels through Audi’s S-tronic seven-speed dual clutch ‘box via a self-locking sport diff and torque vectoring. If that’s not good enough for you, you can opt for a sports diff that sorts power to the rear wheels independently.

Just like the S6, the S7 comes with adaptive air suspension and a set of bigger brakes front and rear which can be optioned up to ceramics if your pockets are deep. But really, unless you want to take your S7 on track, the normal brakes are going to be more than adequate.

You also won’t be shocked to learn that Audi has performed the usual ‘S’ trick on the bodywork and deployed bigger grill and bumpers, butch sills and a diffuser out back which houses quad tailpipes. You don’t even need to see the photos of the S7 to know what they’ve done, do you?

And you’ll never guess what Audi has done to the interior of the S7? Nappa leather, a sports steering wheel and sports seats. And the odd ‘S7’ logo. I know, you’re shocked.

Just like the S6, the Audi S7 will arrive in the Spring of 2012.

Audi S7 (2012) Photo Gallery

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(12 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

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The Audi S7

The Audi S7 uses the same engine as the S6 and S6 Avant, the new 4.0 TFSI with 309 kW (420 hp) and 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque. The twin-turbo V8 accelerates the five-door coupe from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.9 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). The cultivated eight-cylinder, which uses Audi’s “cylinder on demand” technology under part load, consumes on average just 9.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (24.25 US mpg).

Much of this groundbreaking efficiency can be attributed to the lightweight body. A hybrid aluminum construction, it weighs roughly 15 percent less than a comparable all-steel body. Lightweight components include the long rear hatch that opens and closes electrically as standard. Beneath it is a luggage compartment with a volume of 535 liters (18.89 cu ft), which increases to 1,390 liters (49.09 cu ft) with the rear seat backs folded down.

Drivetrain and chassis

Power transmission in the Audi S7 is provided by the dynamic seven-speed S tronic and the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with a self-locking center differential and torque vectoring. The optional sport differential from Audi distributes the power in variable proportions between the rear wheels.

The S7 comes standard with the adaptive air suspension sport and the Audi drive select dynamics system. Mounted behind the 19-inch wheels are large, internally ventilated disc brakes front and rear. Their matt black calipers sport
S7 logos up front. Carbon fiber-ceramic discs are available as an option. Other chassis options include 19- and 20-inch wheels and dynamic steering, which varies its ratio as a function of speed.

Body and design

The design of the Audi S7 is seamless. The long engine hood, the long wheelbase and the short overhangs create perfect proportions. The low, dynamically tensioned roof line gives the five-door model the character of a coupe. At highway speeds, a rear spoiler extends from the rear hatch to improve stability.

Subtle yet eye-catching details signal the top position in the model series occupied by the 4,980-millimeter (16.34 ft) S7 Sportback. These can be found at the single-frame grille, the front bumper, the side mirrors, the sills, the rear bumper, the diffuser and the tailpipes. Nine exterior colors are available, including the exclusive shades Estoril Blue, crystal effect and Prism Silver, crystal effect. The body is decorated with S and V8 T badges.

Interior

The S7 shows its sporty character in the interior, too. This can be seen in numerous details – the S badges, the red ring on the start-stop button, the S7 logo in the illuminated door sill trims, the aluminum strip on the S tronic selector lever and the aluminum shift paddles. The footrest and the pedals are made of stainless steel, and the soft keys of the MMI operating system are in an aluminum-look finish.

Customers can choose decorative inlays in standard aluminum, carbon, natural fine grain ash and layered Beaufort oak. Black, lunar silver and goa beige (only for the seat upholstery) comprise the color palette for the headlining, instrument panel, carpet and seats. The standard seat upholstery is a combination of Pearl Nappa leather and Alcantara, with the leather grades Milano and Valcona available as options.
Audi equips the S7 with height-adjustable S sport seats with power lumbar supports as standard. Comfort seats and regular seats are available as options. The backrests of the S sport seats are embossed with S logos.

Equipment

Delivery of the S7 is scheduled to begin in spring 2012. Among the standard equipment highlights are the xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, the driver information system with color display and the versatile MMI radio plus audio and operating system. Both information hubs are easy to operate.

The S7 can be optionally equipped with all of the high-end extras of the model series. Moreover, all driver assistance and infotainment systems are available, including the Bluetooth online car phone that connects the S7 with the Internet.[/EXPAND]