Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Prestige quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)
Audi has fitted the S7 with a 4.0L V8 powertrain belting out 450 hp and 406 lb-ft torque. The performance figures of this luxury sports sedan can put even hardcore sports cars to shame. It's a car that brings the fun element of a sports car in the practicality of a sedan without compromising on either of those aspects. With a starting price of $81,200, it's reserved for the few well-heeled folks who truly know what spending that type of money brings.
Do you fantasize about owning a sports coupe that is startlingly fast but still practical enough to become your daily driver?Audi has got it covered for you with something tailor-made to your specifications. In comes the 2018 Audi S7, with its captivating and ageless design, extravagant interiors and brute power. The folks at Ingolstadt have created a gorgeous, beast of a car which is sure turning heads from the moment it rolls out on the tarmac.
Audi has fitted the S7 with a 4.0L V8 powertrain belting out 450 hp and 406 lb-ft torque. The performance figures of this luxury sports sedan can put even hardcore sports cars to shame. There is just endless power available on tap at all times no matter what gear the car is on. All this at a MSRP of around $81,000 with even more performance and features packages to add on top of each trim.
The 2018 Audi S7 comes in a total of 2 trims, premium plus, and prestige. The $81,200 premium plus trim comes packed with a long list of features. The standard list includes LED exterior lighting, Audi adaptive air suspension with S model-specific tuning, valcona leather seats and a HUD amongst other features. Safety measures such as Audi side assist with pre sense rear and stability control come standard as well. Notably, the emergency braking system is optional.
If that doesn’t do the trick, for a premium of $1950, the higher prestige trim sweetens the deal even further as it adds features like 20-inch wheels in place of the standard 19 inch, high-performance summer tires, power soft closing doors and LED cabin lights.
Trims | Premium Plus | Prestige |
---|---|---|
MSRP | $81,200 | $83,150 |
Key Features | Audi adaptive air suspension (with S model-specific tuning) | All features of Premium Plus, and: |
Valcona leather seats with contrast diamond stitching (with S7 model designation) | High-performance summer tires | |
BOSE Surround Sound System with 14 speakers | Power soft-closing doors | |
AudioPilot noise compensation | Corner view camera system | |
Audi side assist with pre sense rear | LED cabin lighting | |
LED exterior lighting | 20-inch wheels | |
Sunroof | ||
Power liftgate | ||
Rearview camera | ||
Blind-spot monitoring system | ||
Heated auto-dimming mirrors | ||
Head-up display and Audi's MMI electronics interface (8-inch display, knob controller, touchpad) | ||
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration |
We Recommend
The Premium Plus trim is what we think should be the pick of the lot. It is packed with all the tech and finesse, from leather seats to adaptive air suspension, all that you would ever expect from a luxury hatchback. The higher prestige trims add features like 20-inch wheels, LED interior lighting etc which one can easily live without and save 2 grand in the process.
After giving up the naturally aspirated V10 in its older generations, the 2018 Audi S7 now features a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 producing a menacing 450 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a 7 speed S Tronic dual clutch automatic transmission which provides razor-sharp shifts at most times. However, press the pedal a little hard and the gearbox is caught gasping for the right gear. Drive it in a slightly relaxed manner and the shifts are quick and the car manages to perform exceptionally well.
Models | Audi S7 | BMW 650i xDrive | Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 | Porsche Panamera 4S |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP | $81,200 | $96,000 | $75,150 | $103,000 |
Engine | 4.0L, Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 | 4.4L, Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 | 4.7L, Bi-Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 | 2.9L, Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 |
Transmission | 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic | 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with automatic Sport and Manual shift modes | 9-speed 9G-Tronic | 8-speed Porsche (PDK) |
Horsepower | 450 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 445 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 402 hp @ 5,000 rpm | 440 hp @ 5,650 rpm |
Torque | 406 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm | 480 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm | 443 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | 405 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
The Audi S7 generates the highest amount of power while the BMW 650i has the highest torque output in this comparison. The Mercedes CLS 550 although has lower power output but has a healthy torque figure and is also the cheapest car here. The Panamera 4S is clearly the most overpriced car here as it a smaller V6 engine and the comparitively cheaper BMW 650i produces more power and torque. The Audi and the Mercedes both offer more value for money than the other two.
Although the gearbox tends to hesitate when the pedal is floored, the acceleration on the Audi S7 is reasonably spirited off the line. The 0-60 mph sprint comes up in 4.5 sec while a quarter of a mile takes in 12.2 sec.
The engine delivers astoundingly linear performance. The S7 just demonstrates its prowess in every aspect of driving and is entertaining to drive in all practical driving conditions.
Models | Audi S7 | BMW 650i xDrive | Mercedes-Benz CLS-550 | Porsche Panamera 4S |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH | 4.5 sec | 4.3 sec | 4.9 sec | 4.2 sec |
Quarter mile | 12.2 sec | 12.8 sec | 12.8 sec | 12.3 sec |
Engine | 4.0L, Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 | 4.4L, Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 | 4.7L, Bi-Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 | 2.9L, Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 |
Top Speed (mph) |
190 | 155 | 155 | 179 |
The Porche Panamera 4S is the fastest to reach 60 mph from standstill but it is the Audi S7 that is the fastest to cross the finish line of the qaurter mile. The Panamera 4S is just one-tenth of slower than the Audi here while the other two are half a second slower. The Mercedes CLS 550 is the slowest one in this comparison in every aspect. The S7 has the highest top speed followed by the Porsche Panemra 4S while the other two Germans have the lowest top speed.
In order to ensure maximum safety, not only has Audi installed massive brakes on all four wheels but has also included a host of active braking features. The brake pedals themselves act as a weak point sometimes as a long pedal travel takes away the sensitivity. But the braking performance of this rather heavy car is not that bad as the large brakes manages to halt the car from 60 mph in a matter of 123 ft, which is not that bad for car its size but is underwhelming socnsidering that its an Audi.
Model | Audi S7 | BMW 650i xDrive | Mercedes-Benz CLS-550 | Porsche Panamera 4S |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front(in) | 15.7 | 14.7 | 14.2 | 14.2 |
Brake Rear(in) | 14.0 | 13.6 | 12.6 | 13.0 |
Curb Weight(lbs) | 4486 | 4570 | 4233 | 4123 |
60-0 MPH (ft) | 123 | 107 | 107 | 101 |
All rivals of the S7 fare better as they are able to do a 60-0 mp halt at least in under 15 ft less of Audi’s 123 ft. The Panamera has the shortest braking distance in this comparison as it is also the lightest car here. The BMW 650i is the heaviest car but halts in just 107 ft and manages to match the distance of the CLS 550 which itself is led down by its smaller set of rear brake rotors.
When driving the S7, you will never for a moment forget that you’re driving a 4,500 lbs vehicle, but the car still behaves well if not pushed to the absolute limit. It is infectiously comfortable and one wouldn’t mind riding in it for long hours and in fact would love the experience. The suspension setup does a fair job absorbing the road undulations even with the larger alloy rims. The charming rumble that comes from the quad exhausts further enhances the experience, while the electric steering wheel does its job most of the time but one can’t rule away it's limp and poor like feedback and is something that Audi could’ve done better.
When one shells out over $80,000 on a luxury sedan, fuel economy mostly doesn't hold much importance as such cars usually focus on premium features and perfromance. The EPA rates this sporty engine for 16 mpg in the city, 24 mpg out on the highways while getting an overall fuel economy of 20 mpg. The almost 20 gallon gas tank only manages to achieve roughly around 350 miles of combined driving in the real world scenarios and is only weak link in this drivetrain.
Model | Audi S7 | BMW 650i xDrive | Mercedes-Benz CLS-550 | Porsche Panamera 4S |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) | 16 | 17 | 18 | 21 |
MPG (highway) | 24 | 25 | 26 | 28 |
MPG (combined) | 20 | 20 | 21 | 24 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) | 19.8 | 18.5 | 21.1 | 23.7 |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) | 317 / 475 / 396 | 315 / 463 / 370 | 380 / 549 / 443 | 498 / 664 / 569 |
The Porsche Panamera 4S with its smaller engine is the most efficient engine in this comparison which also makes use of the largest fuel tank and hence has the best driving range here. The Audi and the BMW are on the exactly opposite end of the spectrum, as both have similar fuel economies which is way below that of the Porsche, and also have small gas tanks and hence frequent trips to the gas station. The Mercedes has a slight superior fuel economy than the Audi but has a larger fuel tank for a better driving range.
The Audi S7 maintains a gentleman-ish aura on the inside. At first glance, the interior feels much richer than it actually is. The quality, fit and finish on the interior are top-notch and ticks all the right boxes. The seats in this Audi S7 soaks you in from the moment you sit.
The bolstering level is optimum as it holds you snug into place even during some spirited driving. An optional comfort package is also on offer which adds massage function and cooled seats in place of the regular heated only ones. Audi has marketed the S7 as a genuine four seat car to maintain the luxe factor it.Â
Model | Audi S7 | BMW 650i xDrive | Mercedes-Benz CLS-550 | Porsche Panamera 4S |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Front (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (In) |
36.9 / 57.2 / 41.3 | 40.6 / 56.7 / 42.1 | 36.9 / 57.1 / 42.1 | --/--/-- |
Second (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (In) |
36.6 / 55.9 / 37.0 | 37.0 / 54.6 / 35.3 | 36.1 / 56.5 / 35.0 | --/--/-- |
The BMW 650i is the only car here with seating for 5 as all others are rated to seat only 4 occupants with only two passengers at the back. BMW also has the best headroom alongside providing ample amount of legroom at the front. Although, it is the Audi S7 that offers the best all-round space throughout the cabin without much compromise on any aspect.Â
Being a large sedan, the S7 enjoys a favorably large cargo volume as it can easily fit 2-4 medium sized suitcases. Airport runs would be nothing to worry about if you own this vehicle with its large 24.5 cu-ft of cargo space in the trunk. But being a 4-seat car, the rear seats do no fold down for additional storage space when needs and the 24.5 cu-ft of space is maximum of what you get. Any which way, who would want to haul goods inside the cabin of their precious $80,000 luxury sedan.
Model | Audi S7 | BMW 650i xDrive | Mercedes-Benz CLS-550 | Porsche Panamera 4S |
---|---|---|---|---|
Volume behind rear row (cu-ft) | 24.5 | 16.2 | 15.3 | 17.4 |
Rear row folded (cu-ft) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 46 |
The Audi S7 has the largest trunk in this comparison and that too by a large margin. All the other three have a trunk capacity around the same ballpark and have the capacity lower by roughly 8-10 cu-ft. Only the Panamera has folding rear seats to offer more space and hence has the highest cargo carrying capacity overall. Â
The Audi S7 features a 8.0-inch touchscreen with signature Audi MMI interface which although quickly reacts to inputs and is overall user-friendly, is not one of the latest ones on offer. It features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality as standard alongside a premium Bose 14-speaker audio system to make your daily commute or long trips more enjoyabel.Â
The A7 now also features 4G connectivity with an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and also has built-in naviagtion. The Audi S7, unfortunately, misses out on the latest Audi virtual cockpit system which plays as a spoilsport in an overall high-tech car.
Considering the fact that the S7 is a luxury car in itself, the interior gets a lot of features to justify the high price and uplift the overall feel of the cabin. The list is pretty extensive and rivals cars above its segment since Audi believes a lot in providing with as many technology as possible. The highlights of those prominent features as listed below.
The Audi S7 is a large car and has to be as well and hence feels like one due to its bulk, nothing worth complaining about though. The S7 is long and low car with decent width to offer great space on the inside.
The ground clearance is on the lower side and could be better as there are high chances of the car bottoming out on sharp bumps due to the lenghth of the car.
Model | Audi S7 | BMW 650i xDrive | Mercedes-Benz CLS-550 | Porsche Panamera 4S |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs) | 4,486 | 4,570 | 4,233 | 4,123 |
Length (in) | 196.3 | 197.2 | 194.5 | 198.8 |
Width (in) | 75.2 | 74.6 | 81.7 | 76.3 |
Height (in) | 55.0 | 54.8 | 55.8 | 56.0 |
Ground clearance (in) | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
Wheelbase (in) | 114.8 | 116.9 | 113.2 | 116.1 |
Track width F/R (in) | 64.6 / 64.3 | 63.2 / 65.8 | 62.9 / 64.1 | 65.8 / 65.0 |
The Panamera is the longest car here which translates to a long wheelbase as well, but Porsche engineers have done a great job at keeping the weight low and is in fact also the lightest car in this comparison. The BMW 650i is the second longest car in length with a longest wheelbase and is also the heaviest car here, but it also has superior ground clarance as compared to others. The Mercedes on the other hand is the shortest and has most cramped cabin here due to a shorter wheelbase.
Cars like the Audi S7 are premium cars with high a price tag and low sales volume as they are targetted at a niche market of wealthy business persons or people of similar stature. Thus it becomes difficult to justify crash testing such expensive cars for crash test ratings. Thus, there are no crash tests rating available for it as none of the authorities have tested it yet. However, being an $80,000 vehicle, you can expect it to be fitted with advanced safety features that ensure the well being of the passengers. The list of the safety features includes an array of airbags for the occupants alongside other safety technology and driver assistance features, the highlight of which is listed below.
The 650i is a very capable vehicle in itself. Like most of its rivals, it also features a big V8. The interiors are chic and the car, after being such a heavy vehicle, will corner at unbelievable speeds. It’s got all the ingredients almost correctly.
But, the styling is where the S7 really takes it away. The engine on the S7 is more powerful, while the interior finish is slightly better as well. So, If you aren’t a BMW fanboy, you can take our word for the S7 and go for It.
The Mercedes Benz CLS 550 looks better in its current generation than any of the earlier ones. But, It still doesn’t come close to the Audi in terms of styling. The engine produces almost 50 hp less than the one on the Audi and the interiors though are almost at par, the Audi takes it away by less than what you’d think.
However, a well kitted out version of the S7 is well more expensive than a high-end version of the CLS 550. For the kind of money it goes for, the CLS 550 might be preferred but if you have the money in your pocket, S7 is definitely the better choice.
Take a drive in the Panamera 4S and it wouldn’t take you long to realize that it's actually a 911 in 4 door guise. The drive dynamics is one of the strongest points of the Panemera as the stability of this car around a corner is truly awe-inspiring.
However, when it comes to styling, S7 scores much better than the bizarre looking Porsche. The interior fit is better in the S7 too. Finally, If you want a strong driver-centric car, the Porsche is what you're looking for but if you want to cruise in comfort and style, Audi S7 should make a stronger case.
There are very few cars that can switch from being performance oriented to a luxury sedan as and when desired. The Audi S7 is one such car that has all the potential to be a potent daily driver for the modern day professional and once you realize how big the cargo space is, it will become a beneficial as a shopping car too. The steering wheel might be a disappointment for hardcore enthusiasts but this car was never aimed towards them. This car is aimed at the executive buyer who wants the ultimate luxurious and sporty daily driver, which it does exceptionally well.