Audi describes the A7 as aesthetically athletic, emotion-packed with a sporty character and innovative technology. It’s clear, then, that they’re appealing to potential buyers’ hearts as much as their heads.

They also claim that the A7, which was given a makeover last year, marries the strengths of a coupe with those of a saloon and an Avant. That, of course, raises the question of why offer those other models if, as Audi claim, the A7 is the best of everything?

Despite an ever increasing choice of what are, for the most part, niche models, people are still buying saloons and estates so, even though it’s selling in impressive numbers, what is it about the A7 that’s still driving people (pardon the pun) behind the wheel of an A6 instead?

If you ask me – you are, aren’t you – I would point towards the styling. Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with it. I would prefer a slightly higher boot lid to give the profile a more wedge-like appearance but, that aside, the big five-door coupe ticks all the right boxes in the looks department.

It’s curvaceous, sits low on its haunches and oozes class. The taut metalwork flows from the imposing single frame grille to the sharply cut off rear seamlessly, creating an impression of motion even when the A7 is stationary. The detailing, like the twin chrome exhausts and spoiler that rises from atop the boot lid are sublime and the build quality is, as ever, faultless.

The interior is elegantly subdued, and everywhere you look or touch you’re greeted with high grade materials. Like the exterior, the attention to detail is impeccable and everything, like the precision machined aluminium controls on the centre console, is beautifully put together.

The dashboard curves around the front seat occupants merging effortlessly with the door panels and, while it does impact on space, it cocoons rather than cramps. The seating position is low by necessity but that swooping headline is no friend to anyone over 6ft sat in the back. There’s drama, too, in the way the sat nav screen silently emerges from the dashboard.

Audi’s MMI infotainment system is, undoubtedly, one of my favourites and with its simple to use and intuitive interface, it’s easy to see why. The handwriting recognition, which you can use to programme the sat nav, is simply brilliant.

The surround sound system fitted to my test car was superb but, then, it should be. It’s a £1,000 option from Bose.

The sumptuous front seats are incredibly comfortable and the driving position nigh on perfect. Visibility is, understandably, a little restricted given the high waist and narrow windows but because the car wraps itself around you so tightly its size is diminished, making manoeuvring that much easier.

Beneath the bonnet of my test car was a 3.0-litre V6 diesel that, thankfully, provided the A7 with all the go it needed to justify the show.

With 215bhp and 295lbft of torque available Audi claims it’ll hit 62mph in 7.3 seconds and nothing during my time with the A7 suggested that time was unachievable in the real world.

Fuel consumption figures proved a little harder to corroborate however, and I never really got close to the manufacturer’s figure of 60.1mpg, even with a supernaturally gentle right foot.

It wasn’t as quiet as I was anticipating and there was an undeniable gruffness filtering into the cabin under hard acceleration but it’s muted enough not to become a source of irritation.

Engine aside, the cabin is very well insulated from wind and tyre noise so, on that all important scale of how easy is it to hear your other half telling you that you’re going the wrong way despite what the sat nav is saying, it scores well.

The dual-clutch gearbox is a sweet performer either in automatic mode or, if you prefer to take charge of the gear changes yourself, via the paddles mounted on the steering wheel.

My test car rode on steel springs rather than the optional air suspension. This means that Audi’s Drive select which lets you switch between Efficiency, Comfort, Auto and Dynamic modes, only impacts on the electromagnetic steering, throttle and transmission.

Even without the benefits of the adjustable suspension the A7 still provides its occupants with a comfortable and compliant ride. It creates very fuss over most uneven road surfaces and generally isolates the cabin with commendable consistency from the majority of imperfections.

As for the Drive select modes, I’d be inclined to avoid Efficiency, if you can afford to. Progress errs on the tedious side with tepid throttle response and vague steering. Comfort improves matters, but no so much that you’ll be winding down the window so you can punch the air with unbridled delight.

Auto will almost always be more than adequate for the majority of the time but, switch to Dynamic and you’ll notice the difference immediately, particularly the sharper throttle response and meatier steering.

The A7 livens up impressively and, despite its size, you’ll suddenly find yourself tempted by those tight and twisty country lanes and, why not, because the Audi won’t disappoint. There’s not a huge amount of feedback through the steering wheel but there’s more than enough grip to exploit and the A7 shifts its mass around with some aplomb.

The boot will eat up 535 litres of your luggage with the rear seats in place, and 1,390 with them folded flat. This compares to 530 and 995 for the A6 Avant although, of course, with a less rakish profile, that space is more practical.

So, can the A7 be everything to every man, or woman? There’s certainly no doubt that it has the credentials to usurp the saloon, if you can live with the limited headroom in the back but what about the Avant? Well, the only practical argument for buying an estate is, in fact, practicality and the A7 can easily convey four adults and their luggage with considerable ease.

I’ve certainly not encountered anything that disproves Audi’s claim that the A7 marries the best of both saloon and Avant in a coupe-like body so it’s certainly more than capable of seeing off the competition within its own stable.

So, is it the styling that’s turning people away from the A7, preferring instead the more traditional appeal of less niche models? Sales figures would suggest that those traditional buyers are realising the errors of their ways in increasing numbers and, considering the admirable qualities that the A7 possesses, it’s unsurprising.

Before I spent my week with the A7 I probably – in a world where journalists could afford to do so – would have opted for the A6, but those seven days have, quite simply, changed my mind.

Now, about that pay rise…

A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Ultra S line 218PS S tronic

Price: £48,020

As tested: 58,340

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 TDI

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch driving the front wheels

Power: 215bhp

Torque: 295lbft @ 1,250rpm

Maximum speed: 149mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 7.3sec

Urban: 51.4mpg

Extra urban: 65.7mpg

Combined: 60.1mpg

Emissions (CO2): 122g/km

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