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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.

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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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

LED daytime running lights

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

Spacious cabin

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

Interior design

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

Cabin technology

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

Three-spoke steering wheel

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

Instruments and information

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

Customizable button

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

CD changer

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

Rear camera

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

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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.

Updated: July 25, 2012 9:45 PM PDT

Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET / Caption by: Antuan Goodwin

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