MOTORING
The dash lights up spectacularly, followed by the distant growl of something, somewhere coming alive...
can incorporate cooling and massaging functions, making sure you step out after a long journey feeling as fresh as when you climbed in. The cabin has plenty of presence, with beautifully knurled metal knobs
and brushed aluminium trim. This all creates a wonderful sense of theatre as does the starting process. The keyless system allows you to leave the fob in your pocket or lob it into one of the many cubby holes. Just being in the general vicinity is all the car needs to grant you the authority for ignition. Place your foot on the brake and touch a large, circular, silver button
to the left of the tunnel. For a moment nothing happens, then the dash lights up spectacularly, followed by the distant growl of something, somewhere coming alive. Then the Sat Nav makes its entrance, sliding out of a slot in the trim and positioning itself in the centre of the dash. Petrol engines are available, but the 3-litre V6 diesel is impressively
quiet and refined. Plus it will happily deliver more than 40mpg on a run if you keep the pedalling to a minimum, giving a range of more than 570 miles between fuel stops. That means around six and a half hours behind the wheel at the French legal limit without a break. If you get caught in stop-start traffic then all is not lost, as the engine automatically cuts out
every time you stop for any length of time and fires up again as you come off the brakes. On tight roads, the A7 feels nowhere as big as its true size and threads
through traffic with ease. But it really excels at speed, wafting along with its beautifully even ride, effortlessly consuming the miles. Precise steering ensures the minimum of concentration is required, backed up by a responsive throttle and impressive brakes to deal with situations at speed. Cruise control is the long distance driver’s friend, but it can quickly
become redundant on busy roads, spending more time off than on. However, come charging up behind a knot of tardy traffic in the A7 and it will detect the cars and slow down to their speed until the road is clear again. Then it will accelerate back to the cruising speed. The A7 even looks impressive on the move, its assertive front-end blending into a pretty coupé roofline that returns a very impressive drag coefficient of just 0.28, aiding speed and economy. This is a continental cruiser in the classic tradition with all the qualities which allow travellers to rediscover the pleasure of the journey for its own sake. The roads, the scenery, the hotels and the restaurants are all out there waiting for you. Why not take time out and enjoy the journey?
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GUARDS POLO CLUB OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2011
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