the redesigned 2019 audi a7 — which audi calls a "five-door coupe," but, c'mon, really? — will come with an upgraded powertrain, suspension and in-car technology along with a corresponding price increase. however, the return of the base-level premium trim gives it a lower starting price than the outgoing 2018 model: $68,995, including a $995 destination charge. that's $1,680 below the current lowest-trim 2018 model, a premium plus, at $70,675, including a $975 destination charge.
a 2019 premium plus model will start at $73,395 — $2,720 more than a 2018. premium plus models add a 10.1-inch upper multimedia display instead of the premium's 8.8-inch version. while a front collision prevention system is standard on all models, premium plus models add rear collision prevention, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and even a system that can detect and try to prevent incidents when opening a door. hd matrix led headlights replace the premium's regular leds.
prestige models will start at $77,295 including destination, an increase of $3,920. in addition to the safety features added to premium plus models, prestige models can be equipped with an optional 19-speaker bang & olufsen stereo instead of the standard 16-speaker b&o system. hd matrix led headlights with audi's new laser light technology are standard. all trim levels have standard led daytime running lights.
other upgrades to the a7 for 2019 include an all-new turbocharged 3.0-liter v-6 replacing the previously supercharged 3.0-liter v-6. the turbo used engine loses 5 horsepower at a rating of 335 hp, but it makes 369 pounds-feet of torque, an increase of 44 pounds-feet. all used engine are paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. audi claims the new used engine will hustle the a7 from zero-to-60 mph in 5.2 seconds.
additional safety features are available as part of a driver assistance package. also available at extra cost is audi's trick virtual cockpit system. premium plus and prestige models can add a sport suspension that lowers the car nearly eight-tenths of an inch.
direct competition for the a7 is sparse. bmw's, uh ... less attractive 6 series gran turismo is similarly priced, starting at $71,295. it also comes with standard all-wheel drive, and bmw claims it's a whole tenth of a second quicker to 60 mph than the a7. those looking for other alternatives will have to enter the world of luxury sedans and "four-door coupes" and their corresponding reductions in cargo space without a comparable reduction in price.
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