What is practicality, which indicator is the most important for this characteristic and how it is generally determined? We discuss the example of the new Audi A7
There are practical cars designed for some specific purpose. For example, strictly in order to overcome the most severe off-road. And there are just incredibly beautiful cars, and the Audi A7 is definitely one of them.
You might think that the practicality of a car costing almost One Million Rand. I don’t have to say, but this is probably just a mistake. We figured this out on the example of a model. This is a machine equipped with a 340 liter engine. pp., with a price of about R1.5 Million.
Nikolay, 37 years old, drives a Mazda CX-5
I sincerely admire what has been happening with Audi design in recent years. I remember very well those times when at first this brand was not treated as a serious representative of the premium class, then they recognized the status, but they began to scold for the fact that all the cars look like 33 heroes led by Chernomor. Now, it seems to me, this is not in sight. There is something refreshingly new in every next Audi model, and the A7 is definitely no exception.
I always liked unusual cars. Such that after them turn around on the road. For example, I had a Mazda RX-8. Can you imagine a more impractical car? A rotary engine, rear doors that open against the direction of travel, a critically small amount of free space on the second row. But I was in love with this car for its originality.
The same thing happened with the A7. Outwardly, it seems to me that it resembles the fantastic Prologue concept – a car that could be shot without any make-up in any of the films about the super-technological future. These narrow headlights are simply a work of art. And still the body with the name liftback for me is still something mysterious and new.
In general, it’s not difficult to understand why I fell in love with this car at first sight (yes, even if this is not my only love). Yes, he probably would not have suited my brother, because he has four children, and putting six people in the A7 is a possible, but painful task. And to go in such a composition further than the nearest supermarket is a wild idea.
But in other cases … And why did anyone put this car into the category of impractical? The boot volume of 535 liters is not a shame at all. The S-class, for example, has 25 liters less usable space, and no one complains about it. Moreover, Audi has a comfortable height, and because it is extremely convenient to fold luggage here, thanks to the type of body that has a fifth door.
Maybe the thing is helplessness on the road? Of course, I’m not talking about dynamic characteristics. A car that accelerates to 100 km / h in 5.3 s will be inferior to few in a straight line. Yes, jumping onto a high curb will be problematic. I said that this car is very beautiful, and this also applies to the body kit, which is easy to tear off, performing similar exercises.
But the rest is no problem. The ground clearance, especially in the case of the car that I drove, is regulated thanks to air suspension. Well, do not forget about the all-wheel drive quattro – a special pride of Audi. So the only argument in favor of impracticality is the price, but even this, in general, can be called into question.
David, 30 years old, drives a VW Polo
Are you seriously? Can anyone really seriously talk about practicality in relation to a car with a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine with a capacity of 340 horsepower? About dynamic characteristics – please. And here the A7 is simply up to the mark: a bunch of powertrain, S-tronic and finely tuned suspension – it’s just fantastic. This car seems to have a place on the track. At least I would love to ride it on the ring. Sorry, did not have time.
Practicality? Suppose I earned, saved, won the lottery. And I bought myself this car. I spend about two to three hours a day in traffic jams, where power, as you know, is far from the main thing. But fuel consumption is an indicator that excites me. According to the documents, everything is fine – 9.3 liters per 100 km of the way around the city. In fact, of course, the situation is somewhat different.
In a busy metropolis in the mode of torn morning and evening driving along congestion, the actual consumption is about 14-15 liters. It is clear that earlier for a 340-horsepower car it was an extremely cool indicator, and now it is very good. However, my car is 110 liters. from. consumes 9 liters in traffic jams.
However, I must admit that I did not have any problems with installing and removing a child seat. As well as in order to put a child in it. And this is a serious argument for me, because I have to carry out such a procedure quite often.
But even if I forget about the expense and the permanent fingerprints on the touchscreen, I still never recognize the practicality of the machine, the price of which starts from 4,065,000 rubles. (versions with a 340-horsepower engine – from 4,565,000 rubles). For example, in 2013, the A7, which at that time was the top novelty, could be bought for 2,705,500 rubles. And in this case, I would really think that this car is practical. Even for me.
Roman, 29 years old, drives a BMW X1
It seems that it was yesterday. Old Leningradka, 2010, one of the network gas stations and Audi A7. This was my first business trip, and I remembered it in great detail. The task was simple: we refueled to the cut-off, sealed the gas tank hatches and went to for a drive. It was necessary to get to the Northern capital, saving as much fuel as possible.
Of course, nine years ago, the road looked like it was not a federal highway, but an obstacle course, but all my attention was focused on the incomparable Audi A7. After the personal Alfa Romeo 156, this German liftback seemed a mockery of the global auto industry: silhouette, power, workmanship and space dynamics (1.8 TwinSpark, I’m sorry!). The three-liter A7 with a capacity of 310 forces gained a hundred in 5.6 s, so my task of saving fuel periodically crashed.
Over the past nine years, much has changed: we refuel not at 25, but almost at 50 rubles, drive on a toll road, and it is almost impossible to park in Pretoria for free. Audi A7 has also become different: even more stylish, fast and comfortable. But there is a problem: after the generation change in 2017, a breakthrough did not happen. She still has the same unique silhouette, the same proportions, and on the back sofa is still cramped (by the standards of the class, of course).
Audi A7 reminds about technological progress inside: easy-to-use monitors instead of the usual buttons and switches, a huge screen instead of the classic tidy, gearbox joystick and all the same fantastic feeling of ease on the go. A7 is like a continuation of you: it feels what you want from it, and adjusts itself with lightning speed.
Under the hood – a mighty supercharged “six”, now already 340 forces. “A-Seventh” has become even faster, more accurate and more understandable. She was not averse to misbehaving on the Pretoria Ring Road at night, so that the next morning she could impressively sail over the clogged Warsaw. At the same time, frameless glass, a falling roof, a predatory squint of optics and giant 21-inch wheels clearly make it clear that comfort is not enough for the owner.
Charisma is expensive, and the Audi A7 is no exception: for nine years in rands, it has risen exactly twice.
Steve's Blog On Audi Vehicles 