The 2011 Audi A7 Sportback is a five-door coupe with a sporty body and harmonious proportions. The latest large Audi model is 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) long and has a wheelbase of 2.91 meters (9.55 ft). 1.91 meters (6.27 ft) wide, it is only 1.42 meters (4.66 ft) tall.

Viewed from the side, the most important design element of the Audi A7 Sportback is the sharp tornado line. It stretches across the entire flank and defines the proportions, giving the body the powerful shoulders of a high-performance swimmer. The tornado line starts at the headlights and extends along the fenders, the doors and the rear side walls as it gently slopes toward the tail lights.

The tautly drawn wheel wells filled with wheels between 18 and 20 inches in diameter underscore the powerful, sinewy character of the A7 Sportback. As with a sports car, the exterior mirrors with the integrated LED turn signals are mounted on the doors.

Audi offers a choice of eleven paint finishes for the A7 Sportback. The two solid colors are called Ibis White and Brilliant Black. The six metallic colors are Dakota Gray, Ice Silver, Havanna Black, Moonlight Blue, Oolong Gray and Quartz Gray. Completing the palette are the three pearl-effect finishes Phantom Black, Garnet Red and Impala Beige. Audi also offers the A7 Sportback with a customized paint finish according to the personal wishes of the customer.

Audi will initially offer the A7 Sportback with a choice of four powerful and cultivated V6 engines: two gasoline and two TDI units. Their power output ranges from 150 kW (204 hp) to 220 kW (300 hp), and all of the engines feature direct fuel injection. The powerful 3.0 TFSI uses a mechanical supercharger for forced induction, the two TDI diesel units use a turbocharger.

The efficiency of the A7 Sportback sets impressive new standards in the vehicle class. The new 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) with multitronic and front-wheel drive multitronic consumes on average just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 US mpg) – corresponding to CO2 emissions of 139 g per km (223.70 g/mile) that no rival can match. All engines use Audi’s innovative thermal management system, a recuperation system and a start-stop system. Many aspects of the engines, particularly the internal friction, have been painstakingly optimized. The two 3.0 TDI diesel units are new developments.

Delivery of the 2011 Audi A7 Sportback is scheduled to begin this fall at a base price of €51,650.