Weekender Alicante North Issue 108

Facebook: @TheWeekenderSpain
FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2019 39
Motoring
Beauty and a beast
THE normally urbane Audi
A7 Sportback is about to
bare fangs again as the
successor to the original
RS 7 brings 600PS and
800Nm to bear on the 2019
Frankfurt Motor Show.
More power meets greater
practicality and improved efficiency
in the new second
generation model, which
for the first time houses five
seats and a mild hybrid drivetrain
within its significantly
broadened body.
The exterior
Although unmistakably descended
from the A7 Sportback,
with which it in fact
shares only its bonnet, roof,
front doors and tailgate, the
new RS 7 Sportback looks
perpetually ready to wield its
sledgehammer performance
– its sinewy body virtually
hugs the road surface, and its
sizeable wheels are shrouded
by boldly flared arches that
leave no margin for doubt
about the mettle of this latest
Audi Sport offering.
To accentuate the
1,951-millimetre width even
further, the front of the new
RS 7 Sportback features a
broad, flat Singleframe with
no contrasting border. The
radiator protective grille
with its gloss black RSspecific
three-dimensional
honeycomb structure and
the large front air inlets and
vertical fins also contribute
to the dramatic stance, as do
the horizontal blade marking
a distinctive downward
edge to the front end and the
RS matrix LED laser headlights
with their dark bezels
and dynamic indicators.
Along with the rear LED
lights, these ultra-sophisticated
units also run through
RS-specific ‘animation’ sequences
when the vehicle is
locked and unlocked.
The interior
Much like the exterior design,
the architecture inside the
new RS 7 Sportback combines
taut surfacing with
clearly defined contours, and
seamlessly integrates the futuristic
user interface. The
upper MMI touch response
display is embedded in the
predominantly black architecture
in a way that renders
it almost impossible to see
where the display ends and
the surroundings begin. The
driver can use the upper RS
monitor display to call up an
overview of drive system component
temperatures, maximum
g-forces and information
regarding tyre pressures
and temperatures.
Special RS displays use
the Audi virtual cockpit to
provide details of tyre pressure,
torque, performance, oil
temperature, boost pressure,
lap times, acceleration, and g-
forces. The shift light display
prompts the driver to upshift
when the rev limit is reached.
RS sport seats upholstered
with perforated Valcona
leather featuring a
honeycomb pattern and RS
embossing are standard, positioning
the driver perfectly
behind the flat-bottomed,
fully perforated RS sport
leather steering wheel with
new large RS aluminium
shift paddles and multifunction
buttons, including the
RS MODE button, which
the driver can use to enable
the new Audi drive select
RS1 and RS2 modes. This
automatically opens the RSspecific
displays in the Audi
virtual cockpit. The RS and
RS 7 logos adorn the steering
wheel, seats, and illuminated
front door sill trims.
Logo projectors on the front
and rear doors beam the
Audi Sport emblem onto
the ground when the doors
are open.
For the first time, Audi
Sport is offering the fivedoor
RS 7 Sportback with
a three-seater rear bench
in the interest of maximum
versatility. When its split
The off-roader of the future
AUDI is completing its
quartet of visionary vehicles
by showcasing a
forward-looking electric
off-roader at the 2019
Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Audi AI:TRAIL quattro,
a comprehensive concept
for sustainable mobility
off the beaten track, is
one of four use case vehicles
projecting Vorsprung durch
Technik into the future
— the Audi Aicon, AI:ME,
AI:RACE and AI:TRAIL.
The four-seater Audi
AI:TRAIL quattro combines
the capacity for automated
driving with superb off-road
capabilities. The glass surrounding
the cabin extends
all the way to ground level,
seat backs are folded down
up to 1,390 litres of luggage
space are made available,
and when five adults are on
board 535 litres remain at
their disposal. The long tailgate
opens and closes electrically
as standard, with
an optional convenience key
allowing it to be operated by
foot gesture control.
Wheels
In standard form the new
providing unrivalled allround
visibility. The ample
battery capacity ensures
sufficient range even away
from dense networks of
charging stations.
The “Trail” part of the
name evokes the idea of exploring
nature. That is why
there are no big screens on
board for streaming TV series
or videoconferencing;
instead, broad glass surfaces
provide a clear view of
the surroundings.
In the future, customers
will be able to order any of
the specialist Audi models
from an Audi on demand
vehicle pool to suit their
personal preferences and
requirements and to lease
them for a limited
period. In the process,
they will not
have to miss out
on the high level of
customisation that
is taken for granted
in the premium segment
nowadays.
That is because it
will be possible for
all the user’s avail-
RS 7 Sportback is fitted as
standard with 21-inch cast
aluminium wheels with a
10-spoke star design and
275/35 tyres. A 22-inch 5-Vspoke
design with 285/30
tyres is reserved for the
Vorsprung version. Within
them, the powerful RS brake
system features internally
ventilated and perforated
discs measuring 420 millimetres
upfront and 370 millimetres
at the rear.
able data and preferences
to be taken into account in
the process of configuring
and equipping the vehicle
for lease.
Customers who book a
vehicle will then not only
get their desired vehicle but
also can have it configured
to suit their personal preferences
as far as possible.
The colour, interiors, and
technical options can be
pre-configured online with
the app or via the driver
Colours and
materials
The range of colours for
the new Audi RS 7 Sportback
encompasses thirteen
standard exterior
paint finishes.
These include the two
RS-specific shades of Nardo
grey and Sebring black,
crystal effect, as well as
five available matt effect
paint finishes.
details stored in the my-
Audi system. Even drivers’
preferred interior temperature,
the perfect ergonomic
seat adjustment, and their
personal music library will
already be activated when
they get into the car.
This offer is accessible
and easy to use via a simple
app that connects the vehicle
order, personal preferences
of the user, and numerous
options that can be
used while on the road.