Auto News – Daily Last Auto News

The all-new 2012 Audi A7 goes on auction after this month, and the automaker has just arise appraisement information. The A7 will alpha at $59,250 for the abject model, the 3.0T Quattro Tiptronic. This amount does not cover the $875 destination charge.

The abject A7 will acquire a 3.0-liter TSFI V6 supercharged engine that’s commutual with an eight-speed Tiptronic automated transmission. This powertrain will accomplish 310 horsepower. The EPA hasn’t arise ammunition abridgement abstracts yet, but Audi says the A7 should boilerplate 18/28 mpg city/highway.

If you’re accustomed with Audi, you apperceive traveling up a trim usually gives you added appearance and a added able engine. With the A7, there are added appearance available, but you’ll still acquire the 3.0-liter turbocharged engine that comes with the abject model. The next footfall up is the $62,870 Premium Plus trim, which adds Audi Connect, a rearview camera and navigation. The top-of-the-line Prestige trim starts at $65,580 and includes a ability angle and scope council wheel, a Bose complete arrangement and 12-way ability adjustable foreground seats.

So far, the automotive industry is searching advanced to the A7’s debut, and thinks it’s a acceptable deal. “There’s no catechism that the A7 offers a appropriate amount for its segments—so abundant as any car at about 60 ample can be a acceptable value—but were we in the market, we’d be captivation out for the hotter S7 version, which we apprehend will action a turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, authoritative able-bodied over 400 hp,” says Car and Driver.

The industry isn’t sure, however, about area the A7 belongs in the affluence auto lineup. According to Inside Line, Audi says the A7’s abutting adversary is the Mercedes-Benz CLS550, which starts at $74,000 — $14,750 added than the A7. But, the A7 and CLS550 “aren’t head-to-head competitors,” says Inside Line, “especially from a abstruse blueprint standpoint. The A7 is able with a 310-horsepower supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine affiliated to an eight-speed automated transmission. The CLS550 is able with a 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 engine affiliated to a seven-speed automated transmission.”

If the CLS550 is too pricey, accede the BMW 5-Series and the Jaguar XF. Both of these models are beneath big-ticket than the A7. The 5-Series starts at $45,050, and the XF starts $52,500. In agreement of horsepower, the XF makes added than the A7 and 5-Series – 385 application with a 5.0-liter V8 engine. The 5-Series makes the least: 240 application with a 3.0-liter V6 engine.

The Audi A7 goes on auction after this month.

Shopping for a new car? Check out the U.S. Account rankings of this year’s best cars. Then, attending for a abundant accord on a new car by blockage out this month’s best car deals. Also, be abiding to chase us on Twitter.