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2016 Audi S7 hatchback sedan boasts the soul of a sports car (pictures)

With excellent handling technology under its curvacious body, the new S7 performs exceedingly well in the twists, but also makes for a luxury everyday ride.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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The Audi S7 is the sport-equipped version of the A7, featuring more power and better handling technologies.

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The model uses the same body as the A7, with four doors and a rear hatch, making for capacious cargo capacity.

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The 2016 S7 features some minor styling updates over the previous model year, plus 30 more horsepower and updated cabin electronics.

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LED headlights come standard on the S7, and include a new running light design for the 2016 model year.

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What really sets the S7 apart from the A7 is this 4-liter V-8 with twin turbos nestled between the cylinder banks. For the 2016 model year, this engine produces 450 horsepower.

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An adaptive air suspension can be set to Comfort or Dynamic, the latter mode helping the car remain flat in the turns.

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Quattro all-wheel-drive has been a standard with Audi for many years, a technology that improves sport handling and helps the car handle slippery road conditions.

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Audi makes its Sport Differential optional on the S7, but it's a must-have feature because of how it helps the car's handling.

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Carbon-fiber trim in the cabin includes red thread in the weave -- a unique look.

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Audi updated the S7's cabin electronics with a new processor, software and a 4G data connection, making these Google Earth maps load more quickly.

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You can customize the S7's performance profile extensively, or just use the Dynamic and Comfort presets.

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