Audi launched the sportier version of the A7, known as S7, for the 2013 model year in the U.S., giving the quirky four-door a 420-horsepower V-8 to play with after just one year on the market. In 2014, the S7 received mild updates that included blind-spot warning, power folding mirrors and a stunning Black Optics package. Heading into the 2015 model year, the S7 is set for even more updates, as Audi is giving the model a facelift that includes new bumpers, tailpipes, headlights, and a revised Singleframe grille. Also included is an extra 30 horsepower over the 2014 model.

Audi->ke14 introduced the A7 four-door coupe after realizing the success of the Mercedes-Benz->ke187 CLS-Class->ke539 in this niche segment. BMW followed Audi with its 6 Series Gran Coupe in 2013.

With Audi->ke14 and BMW locked in a see-saw battle for the lead in luxury car sales in 2014, the German brand is doing all it can to end the year at No. 1. This includes a revamp of its low-volume A7 lineup, which includes the S7. U.S. sales of the entire A7 line were up 7.1 percent at the end of April 2014, and this redesign should help keep that pattern.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Audi S7 Sportback.

2015 Audi S7

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Audi S7
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 450
  • Torque: 420
  • Transmission: Seven-Speed Dual-Clutch Auto
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The already brilliant-looking S7 receives a nice tweak on the outside for 2015. The most obvious change is the reworked Singleframe grille, as Audi eliminates the soft, rounded corners and replaces them with harder angles. This change alone gives the S7 an aggressive look that gives the front end the same, sporty look as the rest of the sedan.

The front bumper also gets a blink-and-you'll miss it rework that includes reshaped air intakes on the outer edges and a one-piece lower lip. Nothing too awful over the top here, but but it is a nice change regardless.

The LED headlights get a nice refresh, with more tapered inner portions and the innermost angles reversed from last year's model. The cutting-edge Matrix LED headlamps and front dynamic turn signals are available as an option -- the Matrix LEDs are still in the approval phase for U.S. Not a huge change, but again, it's enough to give the front end a new look.

Around back, the changes are a little less obvious, but they are still present. The taillight graphics are all-new, and feature an LED band through the center instead of the U-shape from last year. These taillights also feature standard dynamic turn signals.

Audi changed up the bumper by adding in a new, and more stylish lower insert. The tailpipes are also new, but the only change I can see is that the tailpipes are black instead of chrome.

Audi rounded out the updates with new, five-spoke wheels in place of the twin-five-spoke wheels from last year. These new wheels better match the sporty look of the S7, as the twin-five-spoke ones from 2014 just looked out of place.

2014 Audi S7 Vs. 2015 Audi S7

2015 Audi S7 Sportback - Exterior Dimensions

Length

4,980 MM (196.06 Inches)

Wheelbase

2,916 MM (114.80 Inches)

Height

1,408 MM (55.43 Inches)

Width

1,911 MM (75.23 Inches)

Width (incl. mirrors)

2,139 MM (84.21 Inches)


Interior

The interior received small changes to go along with the exterior refresh. The most obvious of the aesthetic changes include a new pistol-grip-style gearshift knob in place of last year's T-handle and a new horizontal-lined insert that runs the width of the dash, partway down the door panels and down the center console. Both of these changes feel like a step backward, in my opinion, but maybe Audi's research showed that these are good changes. A more subtle change is the silver upper section of the CD player.

The S7 also receives some option changes, including new optional materials like an aluminum and Beaufort walnut inlay, and Valcona leather. Audi also expanded the optional interior colors from three to five.

The trademark Audi MMI infotainment system gets a new lease on life, and now comes powered by Nvidia graphics processor and features Internet connectivity via LTE.

Audi also offers safety assistance systems including night vision, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, active lane assist, side assist, and Audi’s pre-sense safety system.

Audi made sure to let us that hauling luggage is no issue in the 2015 S7, as it can haul 535 liters (18.9 cubic feet) of cargo room with the rear seats upright and 1,390 liters (49.1 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded. These figures are not yet EPA certified, but stay tuned for the official U.S. specs.

2014 Audi S7 Vs. 2015 Audi S7

2015 Audi S7 - Interior Dimensions (Non-EPA Certified)

Headroom (Front/Rear)

1,028 MM (40.4 In.) / 944 MM (37.2 In.)

Shoulder Room (Front/Rear)

1,452 MM (57.2 In.) / 1,421 MM (55.9 In.)

Legroom (Front/Rear)

TBA / TBA

Cargo Room (Standard/Max)

535 Liters (18.9 Cu. Ft.) / 1,390 Liters (49.1 Cu. Ft.)


Drivetrain

The S7 carries the same 4.0-liter, TSFI, V-8 engine featuring Audi's trademarked cylinder on demand (COD) technology as it did last year. Though the engine is the same, Audi did tweak it to deliver some extra pop.

This 32-valve, DOHC, V-8 engine churns out 450 horsepower between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm -- a full 30 ponies more than the 2014 model. Audi is still sitting on the final torque output and the performance specs, but I suspect we'll see a 4.3-second run to 60 mph -- 0.2 seconds faster than 2014 -- and around 420 pound-feet of twist.

Audi also messed around with the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, which is now quicker through the shifts. This transmission delivers power to all four wheels via quattro AWD.

2015 Audi S7 Sportback - Drivetrain/Specifications

Type

4.0 TFSI V-8

Output (HP @ RPM)

450 @ 5,500-6,400

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

TBA

Fuel Economy (EU Combined Cycle

25.3 MPG

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

4.3 Sec, Est.

TopSpeed

155 MPH, Est.


Prices

The Audi S7 carries a base price of €82,300 ($111,993 as of 5/28/2014) in its home market, which is a slight increase from the previous price but with all the extra gadgets, the 2015 Audi S7 justifies the hike. Exchange rate be damned, I expect the Euro number to transfer almost unchanged over to the U.S., meaning we'll see an American price of around $90,000 -- a few hundred bucks more than the 2014 model.

Competition

BMW 650i xDrive Grancoupe

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe debuted in America in 2013 -- the same year as the S7 -- and joined the CLS-Class and the A7/S7 in this new half-coupe/half-sedan game. The direct competitor to the S7 within the 6 Series Gran Coupe lineup is the 650i xDrive.

This odd-looking sedan pumps 445 horsepower between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm and 480 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm from its 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8. This helps rocket the 650i xDrive Gran Coupe to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph.

This model bases at $92,200.

Mercedes CLS550 4MATIC

The CLS-Class has an S7 fighter all its own in the form of the CLS550. This beast is -- in my opinion -- the best-looking of the three, but that is like picking the sexiest ogre in a bikini contest; the winner is still ugly. But what is under the hood is not nearly as ugly, as this sedan in coupe garb comes with a biturbo, 4.6-liter, V-8 mill producing 402 horsepower at 5,000 rpm along with 443 pound-feet of torque between 1,800 and 4,750 rpm. Unfortunately, the CLS550 comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but you can add 4MATIC AWD for $2,500.

Despite being the prettiest of the ogres, the CLS550 is the slowest, taking 5.1 seconds to hit 60 mph. You can opt for the CLS63 AMG and get a 550-horse V-8 that launches the sedan to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, but at a massive $99,500 price tag.

The CLS550 4MATIC is the cheapest of the group at $73,600.

Conclusion

Audi is in the luxury-car fast lane, and is now playing leapfrog with Bimmer for the No. 1 luxury brand slot. Add in all of these recent facelifts and new generations -- the TT immediately comes to mind -- and you can tell that this one-time afterthought in the luxury market means business. The only issue is that the S7's price tag is way higher than the CLS550, and right on the heels of the 650i xDrive Gran Coupe, but with the steady increase of interest in the S7 as of late, the price tag must not be a big deal. Add in this new facelift and more power, and you can forget about buyers pinching pennies when heading to their local Audi dealerships.