I will openly admit that I’ve been very harsh toward the German brands – all of them – for following the “same sausage, different length” philosophy (Audi, this is you) or for simply changing very little when it comes to facelifts or generational shifts. Admittedly, I expected the same from Audi when it came to the A7. But, while there are a lot of similarities to the A8, the A7 still stands out as its own model thanks to Audi’s ambition to provide simple evolutionary enhancements to not only the exterior but the interior too. In comparison to the A8, the A7 gets additional body lines on the hood but lacks the strong line below the waist. Inside, the dash is more defined, while things like the center console and trim panels have been tweaked just enough to keep things comfortable. Sure, it’s a bit smaller, but everything is so well proportioned inside and out that it’s almost like it was meant to be this way.

And, even better is the fact that there are options-a-plenty. You get the MMI system by default, but to get the Virtual cockpit you have to go with the MMI Nav Plus. I don’t necessarily like that idea, but it is what it is. A total of four sound systems are for the taking, including a very powerful Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system. You can also opt for the Audi Ai Parking Pilot and Remote Garage Pilot, but those won’t be activated until later on in 2018. What I really want to know is what engines will be available once the A7 goes into production. Audi already has the base 3.0-liter (hybridized, of course) that delivers 340 ponies and 368 pound-feet, but what else will be on the docket? I would love to see a turbo V-8, but I doubt it will happen. An S7 and RS7 are almost mandatory, and with any luck, the RS7 may get the turbo V-8 – eh, a man can hope anyway, right?

At the end of the day, the A7 certainly doesn’t disappoint, but I am worried about one thing. Considering the fact that the A7 borrows heavily from the A8, will the rest of the lineup eventually end up looking just like the two range-topping models? History tells me yes, and that’s a bad thing, as Audi could really use some diversity in its lineup, but at the same time, the brand’s strategy seems to be working so perhaps I should be less critical. Is this the world we live in now? Where every automaker makes one design, then copy and pastes it onto a proportionately smaller canvas? I really hope not, but who could blame you if you were starting to think that way? I certainly won’t because it seems to me like I see a lot of the same designs popping up model after model, and that doesn’t say a lot for individuality at all.

What do you guys think? Is the A7 a hit or a dud? Are automakers being too eager and pushy with their design consistency between models, changing little outside of size and engine output? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments section below.

References

Audi A7

Read our full review on the new, 2019 Audi A7.

Read our full review on the previous 2017 Audi A7.

Audi S7

Read our speculative review on the 2019 Audi S7.