Test Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Quattro S tronic

First test Audi A7: The intruder

Price: $63,800
Engine: 3.0L Supercharged V6
Fuel Type: Gas, Compare Gas Autos
Drive Type: AWD / 4x4
Transmission: 8-speed Automatic (with manual mode)
Seating Capacity: 4-Door 4 passengers
Features: Interior Features (A/C with Climate Control, Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, Bluetooth, Hands-free Calling, HD Radio, Heated Front Seats
, Keyless Ignition, Leather Upholstery, Navigation System, Parking Assistance, Power Exterior Mirror Control, Power Seat(s), Rearview Camera, Satellite Radio, USB / iPod Connection, Video Display). Exterior Features (All-season Tires, Alloy Wheels, Power Glass Sunroof). Safety Features (Active Head Restraints, Brake Assist, Child Seat Anchors (LATCH), Daytime Running Lights, Driver and Passenger Seat Airbags, Engine Immobilizer, Post-collision Safety System, Rain-sensing Windshield Wipers, Rear Door Child Safety Locks, Side/Curtain Airbags, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring, Traction Control).

Test and Review..
Jealous the success of the Mercedes CLS, Audi presents a competing model, the format and spirit are very close. This does not mean that the A7 lacks personality.

Very high quality finish, clear driving pleasure, comfort only matched ...

The tapered shape of the A7 probably rather reflect in the windows of the great couturiers than in supermarkets. With 4.97 m long, one engine range consisting solely of V6 and a price that starts at € 53,900 (in September 2010 prices), this big Audi's wrong with the back of the spoon. That said, it offers hardware to match its price: leather upholstery, electrically adjustable, park assist front and rear, electric locking tailgate, xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control with emergency brake, Audi Drive Select ( choice between driving comfort, dynamic or automatic) ... Only the absence of metallic paint series and GPS are rough. As for options, Audi requires a list as long as your arm, in addition to different levels of finish. Sure in this game, a mega-arch-A7 has become super-top expensive.

Benefits
    Behavior agile and balanced
    Comfort Royal suspensions
    Efficient diesel

Pitfalls of
    GPS and optional metallic paint
    Too slow downshifts in manual mode
    Sound undeniable oil

Leather upholstery with electrically adjustable, is original, and the rad ...

All A7 available on this test were equipped with air suspension, our Quattro version also offers an active rear differential. Hence our inability to tell you what is a standard model. However, with these optional equipment, the Audi is a joy, comfort and rigor of behavior. Apart firmness too sensitive at low speed, probably due to the 20-inch wheels available to us, our A7 was indeed a treat to take on the road. Easy, accurate, stable, perfectly placed, the large Audi even demonstrated an interesting agility. We take pleasure in the wheel, the transmission Quattro bringing a beautiful sense of balance and security. As for the suspension comfort, there is royal plush, without sinking into the soft or impose rolling curve.
This large five-door comes with tapered profile move wisely ...

In short, the A7 is born. Especially as the V6 diesel 245 hp does not mar. The TDI provides good acceleration, excellent times and if it displays a sound oil undeniable, especially at idle, it shows little noisy. In addition, it is served by a box S tronic 7-speed dual clutch well calibrated. A bit too slow to downshift in manual mode, it turns out perfect contrast in automatic mode, where it easily adapts to your driving, and quick in sport mode, where it holds gears longer in the system. In the range of 50-60 € 000, this large five-door should have the necessary weapons to fight peacefully against the second generation Mercedes CLS.
Find a detailed review of the Audi A7 in our number 773, on sale Sept. 21 trial.

Test Porsche Panamera GTS

Panamera GTS is more in the aesthetic discretion

Price: $111,000
Type: 4-Door Sedan
Engine: 4.8L V8
Fuel Type: Gas, Compare Gas Autos
Drive Type: AWD / 4x4
Transmission: 7-speed Automatic (with manual mode)
Features: Interior (A/C with Climate Control, Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, Bluetooth
, Built-in Hard Drive, Hands-free Calling, Heated Front Seats, Leather Upholstery, Navigation System, Parking Assistance, Power Exterior Mirror Control, Power Seat(s), USB / iPod Connection, Video Display). Exterior Features (All-season Tires, Alloy Wheels, Moonroof). Safety Features (Brake Assist, Child Seat Anchors (LATCH), Cornering Lights, Daytime Running Lights, Driver and Passenger Seat Airbags, Engine Immobilizer, Front Fog Lights, Post-collision Safety System, Rain-sensing Windshield Wipers, Rear Center 3-point Belt, Rear Door Child Safety Locks, Side/Curtain Airbags, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring, Traction Control).

Review..
Close to 5 m, about 2 t, and yet this Panamera GTS spins with ease from one curve to another supernatural speeds. While playing on the road precious opera.

The front of the Porsche Panamera GTS ¨ has an incredible grip.

At Porsche, they have a special talent to derive the infinite variations of the same model. This is obviously the case of the 911, but not only. In the Panamera family, take a 4S with its full-successful-transmission and PDK dual-clutch seven-speed. Add to 4.8 V8 a pair of camshafts "sport", a second air intake and maximum speed increased from 6700 to 7100 rev / min, short circuit will gain 30 hp and 20 Nm of torque ( 430 hp and 520 Nm). Graft also the sports chassis lowered by 10 mm, the adaptive air suspension combined with the damping control, a wider rear track width of 5 mm and larger brakes of the Panamera Turbo.

Benefits
    Efficiency and agility
    V8 angry and very musical
    Driveability
    Can do anything

Pitfalls of
    Assisted steering too
    Paddle unusable
    Therefore overhead

The name "GTS" also appears on the front bucket seats.

Finally, to spice up the recipe, and everyone around in profits, add a particularly voluble exhaust, especially when the Sport button is pressed. You then get the GTS, although not as good as the Turbo, but certainly the sportiest of the range. Still charged € 12,500 more than the 4S (March 2012), the Panamera and rigged knows everything. You silently take on the big torque at a fancy dinner in the city, as defeat the nastiest GTI on the secondary network. Because the amazing "grip" of the front axle, combined with impeccable stability, traction and his imperial typical Porsche braking, so inexhaustible even circuit encourages use and abuse of 430 hp.

This limousine is almost forget it is nearly 5 ¨ m and weighs two ...

Impossible, therefore, to imagine being in command of a limo about 5 m and 2 t. Especially since the V8 roars furiously in, and more outside, where the gurgling gives way, beyond 3500 r / min, with a hoarse scream. To be seduced to 100%, but it lacks a consistent and communicative direction when the rate increases. A weakness that even Servotronic option (variable assistance) does not compensate. And these palettes shift, too short and mostly fixed on the steering wheel, so inaccessible in turn, are horrifying!
Despite its weight of two tons, the Porsche Panamera GTS ¨ do not hesitate to ...