The Gentleman Magazine Issue 7 | February 2018 | Page 34

Besides the Audi AI systems, the new A7 Sportback features a
total of 39 driver assistance systems to make things easier for
the driver. They are split up into three packages: the Audi AI
parking package (gradual introduction beginning 2018), the
City assist package with the new crossing assist, and the Tour
assist package. The latter includes such things as the efficiency
assistant, which facilitates a driving style conducive to reducing
consumption, and the adaptive driving assistant (ADA),
which supplements the adaptive cruise control (ACC) with
helpful steering interventions to maintain the lane. All driver
assistance systems feature improved control mechanisms.
Handling and long-distance comfort: the chassis
The new A7 further extends its synthesis of sportiness and
comfort. The optional dynamic-all- wheel steering, the new
electronic chassis program (ECP) – the central controller for
the chassis – and the updated air suspension make it even
more agile, nimble and comfortable. The A7 is thus the perfect
Gran Turismo: dynamic and agile on twisty country roads, yet
comfortable on long highway stretches.
Many aspects of the front and rear axles have been developed
from scratch. The standard progressive steering, whose
generally sporty ratio becomes even more direct the further the
steering wheel is turned, features a new concept for intensive
road feedback. Mounted behind large wheels – up to 21 inches
and 255/35 – with improved rolling comfort are aluminum
fixed- caliper brakes with discs up to 400 millimeters (15.7 in)
in diameter. Customers can choose between four suspension
setups: a conventional steel spring suspension, the sport
suspension that lowers ride height by 10 millimeters (0.4
in), electronically controlled damping and the self-leveling
adaptive air suspension.
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The top chassis-related innovation is dynamic-all-wheel
steering. It combines direct, sporty steering response with
unshakable stability, resolving the conflict of aims between
agility and comfort. The steering ratio varies as a function of
speed between 9.5:1 and 16.5:1 by means of active steering
interventions at the front and rear axle. At the front axle, strain
wave gearing is used to superimpose these in response to the
driver’s steering input. At the rear axle, a spindle drive turns
the wheels by as much as 5 degrees. At low speed, they steer
counter to the front wheels to further increase the agility of
the big coupe when parking or driving in urban traffic, for
example. This reduces the turning circle at full lock by 1.1
meters (3.6 ft). At 60 km/h (37.3 mph) and above, the rear axle
steers in the same direction to increase straight-line stability
and facilitate lane changes.
The optional sport differential improves handing even further.
It actively distributes drive torque between the rear wheels,
complementing quattro all-wheel drive. Like dynamic-all-
wheel steering, controlled damping and the adaptive air
suspension, the sport differential is integrated into the control
function of the electronic chassis platform (ECP). These
systems are closely networked for maximum precision. The
driver can use the Audi drive select system to activate different
ride profiles featuring a more pronounced difference between
comfort and sportiness than in the previous model.
Broad-based electrification: mild hybrid system for greater
comfort and efficiency
All engines used in the A7 Sportback come standard with a
new mild hybrid system (MHEV) for greater comfort and
efficiency. With the two V6 engines, this uses a 48-volt primary
electrical system.
, Security in Motion”