Motoring journalists recently visited South Africa, and more specifically Cape Town, for the media launch of the 2019 Audi A7.
Underpinned by a new platform, which is shared with the Q5 and Q7 SUVs, the brand’s challenger against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS sports a few interesting features, such as four-wheel steering.
It also gets a new styling inspired by the Prologue Concept, and maintains its sloping roofline that gives it a sporty flair.
Inside, things are very similar to the new-gen Audi A8, from which it adopts the new MMI infotainment system. The technology trades buttons for touch control and voice commands, but this makes it somewhat harder to use on the move than the old one, according to the reviews that follow.
Its cockpit is big enough for four adults, and with the air suspension, the 2019 A7 can absorb most undulations quite nicely. However, there is a big ‘but’ here, because once the road gets really bumpy, the ride becomes quite harsh, and that’s disappointing for a car in this class.
The all-new Audi A7 is also very quiet, as there are hardly any tire and wind noise intruding in the cabin, and its handling is responsive, but not sporty. One hopes that the upcoming S7 and RS7 versions will rectify that.
Level 3 autonomous technology is available, along with the laser high beam headlights and two automatic parking systems, so users should consult that options list carefully, after deciding if the 48V mild hybrid powertrain is indeed the one to go for.