2012 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI quattro (pictures)

One year later, we take a second look at the 2011 Tech Car of the Year winner, the 2012 Audi A7.

Antuan Goodwin

July 25, 2012 9:45 p.m. PT

1 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Return of the King

The 2011 Tech Car of the Year returns to the CNET Car Tech garage. This time, the 2012 Audi A7 is coated in Gamut Red Pearl paint. View Local Inventory

2 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

3.0 TFSI quattro

Under the hood is a 310 horsepower, supercharged V-6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that splits power between all four wheels. View Local Inventory

3 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

8-speed transmission

The eight-speed gearbox features a manual shift program that's activated by pushing the lever to the right and a Sport driving program that is toggled by pulling the shifter past the Drive position momentarily. View Local Inventory

4 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Understated style

The Audi didn't garner as many "oohs" and "aahs" as some of its competitors, but I think its more understated style will age a bit more gracefully than, for example, BMW's more organic corporate face. View Local Inventory

5 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

LED daytime running lights

You can usually recognize an Audi from a mile away by its LED accented headlamps. View Local Inventory

6 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Slippery profile

The wide and long A7 is an imposing vehicle in the flesh. However, it wears its weight well with proportions that just work. View Local Inventory

7 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Sport package

Optional 20-inch wheels shod in summer performance tires come as part of a $1,500 Sport Package that also adds paddle shifters and a (non-adjustable) sport suspension. View Local Inventory

8 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Wide body

With an overall width of 84.2 inches, the A7 hunkers down over a wide track that helps with lateral grip. However, it was a bit difficult lining the big sedan up in San Francisco's narrow parking spaces. View Local Inventory

9 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

The $60k+ hatchback

The liftback form factor offers easier loading and access to the storage space than a comparable trunk. The A7's hatch features motorized opening and closing. View Local Inventory

10 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Rear-biased power-train

Although the A7 features an all-wheel-drive system, its power delivery is biased toward the rear wheels for a more sporty drive. View Local Inventory

11 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Motorized rear spoiler

A motorized spoiler raises at 80 mph to improve vehicle stability, but you can manually raise it with the touch of a button. View Local Inventory

12 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Spacious cabin

The wide chassis width also means that there's plenty of shoulder and elbow room in the A7's well-appointed cabin. View Local Inventory

13 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Seating for four

Although there's space for five, Audi has limited the A7's seating capacity to four adults by placing a plastic tray in the center of the rear bench seat. View Local Inventory

14 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Interior design

Like the exterior, the A7's interior features an understated aesthetic featuring black leather punctuated by satin metallic and matte wood trim. View Local Inventory

15 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Cabin technology

A motorized 7-inch LCD rises out of the dashboard, providing visual feedback of the Audi's sophisticated infotainment system. View Local Inventory

16 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Multiple controllers

That screen is not touch sensitive. The Audi infotainment system is controlled with a combination of the MMI control knob, the Audi touch pad, steering-wheel controls, and voice commands. View Local Inventory

17 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Three-spoke steering wheel

This minimalist three-spoke steering wheel is also part of the Sport package and features surprisingly few buttons and switches. View Local Inventory

18 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Instruments and information

Between the speedometer and tachometer is an LCD that displays trip computer, navigation, audio source, and address book information. View Local Inventory

19 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Customizable button

The button marked with the "*" icon is a user customizable button. View Local Inventory

20 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Vehicle settings

From the main display, users can adjust the functions of the steering-wheel button, the lighting and locking systems, and the driver aid systems. View Local Inventory

21 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Google Maps

The MMI navigation system can overlay Google Maps satellite imagery on its maps via the Audi Connect system. The effect is very cool-looking and can provide landmark info for those who navigate visually. View Local Inventory

22 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Connected services

I found the satellite imagery distracting and turned it off almost immediately. However, I did appreciate Audi Connect's ability to search the Web for destinations and to receive live traffic data. Audi Connect also allows the driver to turn the car into a hot spot, providing Internet connectivity to passengers' Wi-Fi devices. View Local Inventory

23 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

3G connection

The Audi's link to the Internet is provided by a 3G data connection that is built into the vehicle. The SIM card for that system is located between two SD card slots, low on the dashboard. View Local Inventory

24 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Touch input

I was able to use the touch pad on the console to draw letters and numbers during destination entry. Audible confirmation of each number allowed me to keep my eyes on the road during this process. View Local Inventory

25 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Address book search

I was also able to quickly search my synced address book with the touch-pad inputs. Voice control, however, is likely the most distraction-free method. View Local Inventory

26 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Audio sources

When playing media from a Bluetooth-connected phone, USB-connected iPod, or mass storage device, or from the system's internal media storage system, the 7-inch screen is able to display metadata. View Local Inventory

27 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

CD changer

A six-disc CD changer hides in the glove compartment for those drivers who still prefer physical media. View Local Inventory

28 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Audio options

The top-of-the-line Audi A7 Prestige is available with either a Bose premium audio system or Bang & Olufsen ultra-premium rig, but our Premium Plus trim level featured neither. However, even the standard A7 stereo sounded remarkably good for most genres of music tested. View Local Inventory

29 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Rear camera

A rearview camera works in tandem with front and rear proximity detection systems and features dynamic trajectory overlays. View Local Inventory

30 of 30

Josh Miller/CNET

Drive select

The Audi Drive Select system allows drivers to customize the steering response, throttle response, and transmission shift program. Adaptive suspension is missing from this version of Drive Select. View Local Inventory

2021 Toyota Sienna Platinum is a surprisingly lux family cruiser

2012 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI quattro (pictures)

Return of the King

3.0 TFSI quattro

8-speed transmission

Understated style

LED daytime running lights

Slippery profile

Sport package

Wide body

The $60k+ hatchback

Rear-biased power-train

Motorized rear spoiler

Spacious cabin

Seating for four

Interior design

Cabin technology

Multiple controllers

Three-spoke steering wheel

Instruments and information

Customizable button

Vehicle settings

Google Maps

Connected services

3G connection

Touch input

Address book search

Audio sources

CD changer

Audio options

Rear camera

Drive select

Discuss: 2012 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI quattro (pictures)

2021 Toyota Sienna Platinum is a surprisingly lux family cruiser

Nissan Z Proto is a four-wheeled love letter to driving purists

Honda Accord and CR-V at 25: Golden era goodness

2021 Toyota Corolla Cross is a new compact SUV with an optional hybrid engine

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is sporty and spacious

2020 Subaru Legacy: Sleepy styling, but filled with substance

2020 Toyota GR Supra 2.0: A strong performer that needs some soul