Audi S7 Sportback quattro 5dr Car Review - July 2012

The Audi S7 Sportback is fitted with the same 4.0 TFSI engine used in the S6, developing 414bhp and 405lb-ft of torque. 62mph arrives in 4.9 seconds and the S7 runs into the electronic buffers at 155mph. For such a large car, the S7 feels surprisingly light and agile to drive too. Audi's de rigeur Quattro four-wheel drive system ensures that there's plenty of grip on offer and the S7 is also fitted with a torque vectoring system which brakes the inside wheels during a turn to sharpen up the steering.

There is something inherently odd about the S7's proportions; however, it's a fantastic looking car nevertheless. It has an imposing on-the-road presence while remaining discreet and subtle, and it makes its rivals from Stuttgart and Munich look positively ostentatious in comparison. The quality of the A7's interior is exemplary as well.

Standard equipment includes alloy wheels, climate control, electric windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors, leather seats, CD player with MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth, sat-nav and electric door mirrors. An electric sunroof will set you back a further £1185, metallic paint is priced at £750 and a rear seat entertainment system will cost you £1050.

Although not as practical as the S6, the S7 does boast enough room in the back for a couple of tall passengers and, with 535-litres of space on offer with the rear seats up and 1390-litres with the rear seats down, there is plenty of luggage space despite the car's coupe-like proportions.

The S7 has not been tested by Euro NCAP but it is fitted with front, side and passenger airbags and will undoubtedly achieve top marks when it is tested.

Reliability shouldn't be an issue either -- Audi builds its car extremely well indeed and the S7 comes with a three-year/60,000 mile warranty.

Compared to its two major rivals, the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG and the BMW 650i Gran Coupe, the Audi is excellent value for money, undercutting the BMW by around £13k and the Mercedes by nearly £20k. However, when compared to the rest of the A7 range, the S7 doesn't stack up so well.

For nearly £8k less than the S7, you could buy arguably the pick of the range: the A7 3.0 BiTDI. Not only is this model cheaper, it is also more economical and, realistically, just as fast in the real world.

The S7 won't be cheap to run either, returning a combined 29.4mpg and emitting 225g/km of CO2. This means pricey tax under VED band K and insurance won't be cheap either.