From outside, the new S7 Sportback can be distinguished by its dynamically styled front trim, wide sills and rear diffuser with four tailpipe trims. The model also has HD Matrix LED headlights with animated rear lights that are connected by a flat light strip and new standard 21” wheels.

On the inside, the Audi S7 Sportback boasts black colour schemes, sporty inlays and colour-contrasting stitching. The S7 Sportback comes with an extended range of standard accessories that include the virtual cockpit with 12.3” display, MMI navigation plus, four-zone automatic air conditioning, HD touch displays with haptic feedback, contour ambient lighting with up to 30 colours, Audi phone box and smartphone interface, a Bang and Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound and a panoramic glass sunroof. The full suite of Audi connect technology around connected infotainment, remote services, safety and convenience features are key standard specifications.

Specification options available include 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, night vision assistant, lane change warning and quattro with sports differential, among others.

The S7 is fitted with a performance-boosting mild-hybrid (MHEV) system. This system can recover up to 8 kW of power during deceleration, which it then stores in the lithium-ion battery. When the driver accelerates again, the system reacts instantly by restarting the engine.

The 3.0 TFSI engine produces 331 kW of power and torque is 600 Nm. Transmission is controlled via a Tiptronic gearbox. Top speed is governed at 250 km/h and acceleration is stated at 4.6 seconds.

As on every S model from Audi, quattro permanent all-wheel drive comes as standard on the Audi S7 Sportback. In normal driving conditions, its self-locking centre differential distributes torque between the front and rear axle in a 40:60 ratio. If one-wheel encounters slip, most of the drive torque goes to the axle with the better traction. In the extreme, 70 percent can flow to the front wheels and 85 percent to the rear wheels. For sports driving, wheel-selective torque control enhances sporty handling: It brakes the two wheels with reduced load on the inside of a bend slightly before they lose grip.

The standard-fit progressive steering already comes with sports ratios in its basic configuration; the greater the steering lock, the more direct the steering is.

As an option, dynamic all-wheel steering is available – this combines dynamic steering with a variable ratio of 9.5:1 and 16.5:1 at the front axle with separate rear-axle steering that is operated by spindle drive and track rods.

The S sport suspension on the Audi S7 Sportback comes with damping control as standard. Adaptive air suspension – the air suspension version with adjustable damping – makes its appearance on the vehicle and can be set to three modes and includes a “lift” position for poor roads and automatic levelling. In the “auto” mode the body is lowered by a further 10 millimetres (at speeds of 120 km/h) upwards, and in the “dynamic” mode the vehicle always remains at this low ride height.

Drivers can also configure the Audi drive select system to suit their driving preference. The system comes with an S-specific set-up and offers the diverse modes “comfort”, “auto”, “dynamic”, “efficiency” and “individual.”

The new Audi S7 TFSI Sportback quattro Tiptronic is priced at R1 500 500 (November 2020).

Competitors include Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG and the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.