First drive review: Audi S7

[EXTRACT]#EANF# What‘s it? It’s the Audi S7 which, alongside the Audi S6 and Audi S8, is arriving inside the UK as I write. All three share a similar base engine : a twin-turbo V8 that replaces the V10 inside the old S6 and S8. The ‘7’ doesn’t possess a natural predecessor because it’s a brand new model but, as you’d expect given its architecture, it shares more using the S6 compared to the S8. Which means the 4. 0-litre engine under its nose develops 414bhp and drives via a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox inside a car that, upon the EU’s official group of scales, tips at just over two tonnes. A liberal dousing of interior carbonfibre makes no difference to anything but aesthetics. That’s lots of weight, then, despite some aluminium in one‘s body, but you’d expect that. The S7 carries lots of kit, I suppose ; quattro having a self-locking centre diff is standard, as is really a sports rear differential with torque vectoring, which we all know makes an enormous difference towards the RS5’s agility.   What‘s it like? Well, there’s no point kidding you : the S7 drives as you’d probably expect. Agility isn’t high on its attributes list, and nor is interaction or engagement, but rapid ground-covering pace It‘s in spades. It‘s lots of oomph for an open road, too, with many low-end torque and decent response (although the engine note is so muted you simply appear to hear it at full chat ), while getting near 30mpg,  thanks to occasional cylinder shutdown. I saw high 20s on the mixed route. The S7 is air sprung and, counting on the way you found out its dampers via the MMI system’s astonishingly comprehensive stages of tune (steering, engine / gearbox response, dampers and much more are adjustable ), the S7’s ride ranges from rubbish to acceptable.  There’s a small amount of tyre noise, too, but otherwise in its softest spring setting the S7 is really a capable car that’s simple to get together with. Our test example came with Dynamic Steering, an expensive option that quickens the rack at low speed (to less than two turns lock to lock with a standstill ). Lots of drivers find these counter-intuitive but, in all honesty, I don’t mind them such a lot. During this case, it’s not like you’re missing on loads using the standard rack. Should I buy one? Maybe. The Audi is really a small blunt instrument, fast and un-furious, however it was never likely going to be anything. Nor will it pretend to become. We’d always look to recommend something having a superior dynamic repertoire, but heck, when the S7 sounds like your thing, fill your boots. Audi S7Price £61, 995 ; 0-62mph 4. 7sec ; Top speed 155mph (limited ) ; Economy 29. 4mpg ; CO2 225g / km ; Kerb weight 2020kg ; Engine V8, 3993cc, twin-turbo, petrol ; Power 414bhp at 6400rpm ; Torque 406lb ft at 1400rpm ; Gearbox 7-spd dual-clutch automatic EXTRACT#EANF# First drive review : Audi S7