When Audi unveiled the A7 in 2010, it wasn’t just adding a new model - it was making a statement. It entered the realm of four-door “coupes” with a shape that dripped with elegance and a promise of performance that was yet to come. It didn’t take long. Just a year later, at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, the curtain lifted on the S7 Sportback, and Audi proved once again that style and substance could coexist without compromise.
The S7 was never loud about its intentions. It didn’t need to be. It whispered confidence through its low-slung profile, its coupe-like roofline, and the precise, uninterrupted flow of its silhouette - from the sharp nose to the tucked tail. But look closer, and the differences were unmistakable. The grille gained satin silver double slats and wore the S7 badge like a seal of intent. Subtle aerodynamic elements - larger air inlets, a bolder lower front lip, and signature silver side mirrors - hinted at the latent firepower. Around back, quad exhaust tips peeked from beneath a redesigned rear diffuser, signaling that this wasn’t just a dressy hatchback - it was a fastback with fangs.
Under that sleek hood, Audi placed a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 capable of turning grace into pace in an instant. Paired with quattro all-wheel drive and a lightning-quick dual-clutch transmission, the S7 didn’t just look the part - it backed it up with real bite. But unlike the more raw RS variants, the S7 kept one foot in the executive lounge, with a ride tuned to cruise effortlessly on the autobahn yet eager enough to chase apexes on demand.
And that duality is something we understand at SherlockLock. We appreciate design that hides complexity, systems that look simple but act smart - just like the S7.
By the time the second-generation A7 Sportback debuted in 2018, Audi had refined its formula further. Sharper creases, tighter lines, and a new interpretation of the singleframe grille brought the S7 into a more digital age - while maintaining its analog heart. The sportier S7 followed soon after in 2019, and depending on your side of the Atlantic, it arrived with different personalities under the hood. In North America, a turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 with electric compressor assistance - shared with the RS5 - delivered strong performance and improved efficiency. Meanwhile, Europe received a torque-rich 3.0-liter V6 diesel with hybrid assistance, designed to conquer long stretches of autobahn without sacrificing urgency.
Regardless of engine, the S7 was never just about numbers. It was about feeling. The way the frameless windows sealed with a solid click. The way the active rear spoiler gracefully deployed at speed. The way the digital cockpit cocooned the driver in a blend of function and futurism. It was a car for those who wanted subtle power, not showy bravado.
From the side, the S7’s proportions remained intoxicating: low, wide, and always ready to pounce. Massive 20-inch wheels filled the arches, while the silver mirror caps and side sills gave just enough flash to distinguish the predator from the commuter. In back, the trademark swooping hatch hid generous cargo space, while the quad oval tailpipes continued the tradition: refined, yes - but ready.
The S7 has always been about balance. Between art and engineering. Between daily drive and weekend thrill. Between being seen - and being felt. And for those of us who value quiet confidence, meticulous execution, and high capability beneath the surface, the S7 delivers in spades.