Audi A7 review - stylish fastback provides A6 alternative - Audi A7 design

The looks are going to split opinion, because the elongated coupé isn’t the most comfortable shape in the world. At almost five metres long and with a three-metre wheelbase, the A7 is literally stretching the concept to the hilt. However, a mild facelift in 2014 and that thing stylists can’t buy – the passage of time – have mellowed the A7 into a handsome car. It’s certainly more appealing than the dowdy saloons in this segment, although we’d still pick a Mercedes CLS first on looks alone.

All models get the directional sweep LED indicators at the rear, the yellow lights moving from left-to-right or vice versa, rather than just blinking on and off, while the S line models and above get Matrix LED headlights; these bring the directional sweep indicators in at the front but more importantly have a function where specific parts of the main beam are dipped according to oncoming traffic, tail lights ahead and ambient lighting conditions (i.e., the beam dips in street-lit areas).

The A7’s colour palette is extremely monochrome, save for one or two reds and a solitary dark blue, although Audi exclusive (£2155) and Audi customised (£2655) allow you to finish it in brighter colours of your choosing.