Audi S7 Review

The Smoking Tire takes the new Audi S7 with its 420 horsepower twin turbo 4.0L V8 for a run in the Malibu canyons.

[@Chris-ny5eb]

I have a 2015 S7. I have had one for 2 years, once you get to know it, and how well it can be two cars at once. Going to the store, 4cyl mode, better fuel eco, and no major stress on your engine. When you want to have a little fun shift it to all 8. Love the body and how it feels, cut off the muffs and resonator and get better sound, add an oil screen relocation kit.

[@NikoBell12]

I love it when I see A7's in my city, they're such an awesome sight and those LED's are the bomb.

[@TheSmokingTire]

We do many car reviews here at The Smoking Tire. Some of them are on video, and some of them are written, on our web site. Generally, if we're going to go to the trouble of making a video, it's going to be a new, popular car (which usually means faster and pricier, though not always). I have no desire to make a video with an $18,000 Hyundai Accent. And the companies that give us cars don't like it very much when we do new vs. old, and it's more work for us finding them from owners.

[@TheSmokingTire]

It's twofold: shorter plumbing from the heads to the turbo's is part of it. When they are top-mounted, it's literally inches away. Secondly, the turbos stay warmer by using the heat off the engine block to spool up faster.

[@TheSmokingTire]

no, they are always matte finish like that. They are the best sunglasses I've ever used, hands down, which is why we're so happy to have them as a sponsor. I spent full retail for two pairs of Dillons, and only after wearing them so much on the show did the company offer to sponsor us. Money very well spent, those glasses.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I love how people are so closed minded that they can boil a car's entire value down to a horsepower figure and nothing more.

[@TheSmokingTire]

We had exactly two hours to make this film, from the time we left Audi's starting point until the time we returned. I had exactly one cameraman with me. We made three of them in a single day. They are short, but cover the basics well and give you a good idea of some features and whether or not I like the car. And sliding? It's an all-wheel-drive luxury sedan. It's not supposed to slide. And I don't slide cars on public roads, it's a terrible example to set.

[@TheSmokingTire]

The S8 is a much bigger car than the S7, something just looking at a wheelbase can't tell you. The back seat is much bigger in the S8, there's more technology, more power, and more luxury all around. The S7 is a midsize sedan (at least in the US) and the S8 is the full size sedan.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I mean that the Sport Differential does a great job of sending power to the outside rear wheel to make the rear end rotate around the corner. It won't slide unless you are very agressive with the steering and throttle, but it doesn't have Audi's trademark understeer.

[@metadynamics4066]

Greetings from 2020, Picked up a CPO 2015 (preface) S7 last year, have to love deprecation. Love this car,

[@wezeyp6362]

Still have it today? How’s it treating you?

[@TheSmokingTire]

Our primary camera for in-car and most drive-by shots is the Panasonic HPX170. For our mounted shots we use two Canon 5D Mark II's on "Cardellini" triangulation kits. They consist of a primary 6" suction cup and three secondary 4" suction cups which triangulate the camera against other points on the car, which completely eliminates shakes. Filmtools has them.

[@tyrawshingto56]

My boyfriend just brought me the Audi S7 and I can say it ride smooth and fast I LOVE IT

[@TheSmokingTire]

It's limited by the S-Tronic transmission. The engine is more capable, but dual-clutch transmission limits how much torque you can reliably put down. The S8, which has the 520 HP version of the engine, uses a Tiptronic transmission with a torque converter.

[@TheSmokingTire]

No, it's a completely new engine, unrelated to the 4.2 V8. (which is still the base engine in the A8)

[@TheSmokingTire]

Yes, for the most part a German car will be a much nicer place to be and will feel more expensive than the American equivalent. If you're looking for performance-per-dollar, nothing beats an American sports car, but none of those cars will kid you into thinking you're in a real luxury car, even the CTS-V, which has an interior like a rental car compared to an M5 or E63. It's all about your priorities.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Please look up a photo of the S7's engine bay. I don't know the exact layout of the differential, but the engine is not in front of the front axle in that car.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Our test car was fully loaded with the innovation package, cold weather package, carbon dash, bang and olufsen stereo, and 20" wheels. Get ready to be horrified: $95,720

[@TheSmokingTire]

It annoys me that they do that too, but remember, just because the model has an "S" on it doesn't mean it's supposed to be a supercar. There will almost certainly be an RS6 and RS7 in the next couple years that will use the S8's version of the V8.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Even if there will be an RS8 (which I highly doubt), the RS6/RS7 won't be out for at least 2 more years. So I could say, "Sure, we have plans to test that." but it's not like I plan this shit 2 years out.

[@TheSmokingTire]

normally we do, but in this particular case these three videos had to be filmed in just 2 hours each, compared to our normal 8-10 hours of production time. Also, given that it was an Audi press launch based from a particular site (which we were shuttled to and from), a chase vehicle wasn't available.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Ferrari's and Lambo's are very specialized cars that are so expensive new, most of them are sold used. For a car like that, I get it. They don't see as many miles, and people tend to know what they are getting into maintenance-wise. But if you're prepared to spend $90,000 on a "daily driver" type car like the S7, only a moron who wants to show off would buy a 5-year old Bentley Flying Spur vs a new Audi S7 with the same money.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I don't understand your question when you say "sport the 8?" The A7 uses a supercharged V6 and the S7 uses a twin-turbo V8, but the "7" is a body style, not a designation for number of cylinders.

[@TheSmokingTire]

you should open the hood of the S7 and try to make that statement about where the engine is mounted again. Anyone standing around will point and laugh at you.

[@TheDriver458]

IMO this is better looking than the S6. Probably the best looking Audi ever seen.

[@TheSmokingTire]

neither, we've completely abandoned minicams because they look like shit. We use triangulated Canon 5D Mark 2's for our exterior mounted shots.

[@IamKINDRED]

Bro... you shot THREE videos, for THREE cars, in TWO hours, and that's INCLUDING travel time to and from th' dealership?! TheSmokingTire with TheSmokingProductionSchedule! Nice job, bro. Lookin' forward to the third in the series. Be blessed, Me

[@boyhash1]

Have to say the Audi A7, Jaguar XJ and the Aston Martin Rapide are by far the best looking 4-door cars on the road today. Just love that sloping roof.

[@TheSmokingTire]

yes Dillon does ship to Europe.

[@TheSmokingTire]

If you're buying a second hand car for $90,000, it had better have an incredible warranty (hint: it won't.) because you don't want to pay to fix it when it breaks.

[@TheSmokingTire]

not really. Get an M5 with any options and you're looking at $110,000. The M6 we tested was $126,000

[@TheSmokingTire]

we did the S4 back in 2010 when it came out. We're filming the RS5 this week.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I'm 6'3" but i was saying if passengers are over 6 foot they should be careful in the back.

[@MrJonathan72593]

matt, you do an awesome job at what you do. i dont consider any of your reviews bias at all. Thanks for all the great videos.Also i liked you on the super speeders series. i think you have one of the best jobs in the world!

[@Kav3h]

Sitting in a A7 and seeing so many new ones here in Utah the last year I am really digging the car. Having a S version just sounds like the perfect all around for road trips and you an keep out the relatives from the backseat now.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Tuned returns the first week in January.

[@MikeFinnley]

Rationally speaking, of course the S7 is always the way to go. There are not a lot of cars being so fast, so spacious AND so reliable than an S7. Hence, the rational choice would be an S7, certainly compared to the Flying Spur you mentioned. But, especially in hypothetical car choices, I tend to go for the less rational pick. I'll take the Flying Spur 'cause the little kid inside me would drool over it more.

[@digitale88]

it's nice to have you doing a regular review again - thanks.

[@TheSmokingTire]

They are called Dillon Optics, and you can buy them from The Smoking Tire web site.

[@TheSmokingTire]

In terns of quality and craftsmanship, you need to buy the middle-to-upper tier of german cars to get that over american cars. The base, stripper A4 or C250 mercedes is not any nicer inside than a loaded up Mustang GT

[@crashwall]

thank you for acknowledging that the s7 doesn't compete with the cls63 or 650. i hate it when people say the s7 has less horsepower than amg and m, when it doesn't even compete against them. it's the rs7 that compete with those cars. and i hope you guys do a review of it.

[@TheSmokingTire]

it's a parallel turbo system.

[@G55STEYR]

Thanks for participating to the discussion. I was comparing the layout, with the engine being mounted in front of front axle in all Audi limousines and Q5 too. No matter it's longitudinal or transversal, it's in the same position. Even the W12 engine in A8, VW Phaeton and Bentley Continental GT is in front of front wheels. You can clearly see this here at sec 0:41 watch?v=MjaCbpw84kw&feature=endscreen&NR=1

[@TheSmokingTire]

We're getting an RS5 in November. There will be video.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I can't fit on a monster, they are meant for tiny little thin people.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Weekdays dude... that place is empty as can be at 10 am on a Tuesday.

[@XxHeavyChevyxX]

You might think the car is ugly in the back But take it from me, this car is so wide in person it looks absolutely fantastic in person with the LEDs and all

[@TheSmokingTire]

We posted the S8 video last week dude. There isn't an RS7 or an RS8 so I don't even know what you're talking about there. And the S5 and S7 do have low rooflines, but the S8 and S6 have "normal" ones.

[@TomNyon]

The s8 or A8 is a car CEO, and presidents in europe travel in normally and is a full size luxury sedan. The A7 is a executive 4 door coupe, and comes with many engine options that the US does not recieve eg. the 313hp diesel version, the 2.8 V6 petrol, or the other diesel engines.

[@NikoBell12]

Audi, this is the SEXIEST car you've ever made! :O

[@odoylerulz3476]

If you talking about the German cars, then yes, I will say Mercedes is better than BMW and specially Audi when it comes to reliability. All these cars have so many sensors and so much technology in them that something is always going bad. And literally every mechanical part of the car talks to other parts. So when you fix one thing, it messes up something else. If you know any service guys that work just on German cars, just talk to them and you'll know what I'm talking about.

[@noahs.1306]

MB are pieces of shit, always in the shop.

[@TheSmokingTire]

love the Diavel, what a nasty bitch of a bike. I'm done smoking weed though, honestly I'm just over it. Love me some Grey Goose and Fresca though!

[@TheSmokingTire]

should have one coming in November.

[@steamedturtle]

It is outrageously quiet inside that car. That might be its most impressive feature.

[@TheSmokingTire]

in Scottsdale, Arizona.

[@BadDFWDrivers]

I love that your respond to everyone, Matt. Question for your production crew. Can you give me the name for the camera mounts for the hood and what you use in the car for the SLR cameras? I really need to find one that almost eliminates all shakes! Thanks so much.

[@MikeFinnley]

I wouldn't want to spend 90k on a car for starters, and of course, anything over an Audi S7 is always going to cost hands full of money to keep it running. In that perspective no one would ever even consider buying a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. But people do.

[@mattdemaniac1993]

The S8 is technically classed as a limousine rather than a sedan and it puts out 100 more ps (BHP) than the s6 and s7! So thus gives 520 BHP and much faster, the interior is also in another league!

[@TheSmokingTire]

probably not, they are too hard to find and not worth the effort compared to press cars. Too much work for too small and specialized an audience.

[@CO_EVO_8]

Awesome, thanks for getting back to me.

[@jake_teki]

@parksbeast I do believe he said it loses two cylinders on each bank. Which then would be four total, therefore making it a four cylinder under cruising.

[@MikeFinnley]

I think the S7 is a really good looking car. I'm sure it will age very well. If I had the money, which I obviously don't, I'd pick it over an S8. On the other hand, there's a lot of extremely good second hand cars you can pick up for that kind of money.

[@Skawrr]

A review video that's actually a review...+1

[@SSSandhu13]

Lucky woman, thinking of getting it myself soon

[@JHatch65]

No, he's right. The Audi A7 has a supercharged V6, but this model, the Audi S7, has a twin-turbo V8.

[@morganbagert]

Still think I would pick the Jaguar XJ over the Audi S7 its a close call but I think you can get the XJ R with 500BHP and the fact Clarkson said that if you are a keen driver the XJ is the only big car you can buy.

[@neirdo]

any chance you could do a test of late 60s early 70s Mustangs? like a kind of second hand buyer's guide thing? perhaps expanded into tuned Mustangs with stiffer suspension and other handling improvements... like what to spend your money on to improve old US muscle... great video as always - oh, and I realize you already did a Tuned episode with a similar theme, but still... love Mustangs...

[@TheSmokingTire]

I don't have any tattoos on my wrist, don't know what you're talking about.

[@G55STEYR]

Yes I can It's the very heavy nose that causes that, and not only this model, almost all Audi. That's why they try to compensate with big tires, asymmetrical rear biased center diff and tq vectoring, but with all the software in the world you can only lock at the most the rear diff which will not do wonders. The first 4x4 models had mechanical lockable center and rear and still understeer until throw extremely fast in corners by genius drivers like Walter Rohrl Improve ok but no character change

[@Mustang46liters]

It's kinda shocking how 420 HP isn't much anymore that's a lot of power and its now considered a cruiser

[@PasDeMD]

First thing that hit me, much better intro, the animation was cool, but the sound clip was sooo loud/grating. The new one is great.

[@krystleobrien7000]

Ok so I have the car (Audi S7). I also had the cadillac escalade and the lexus. The Audi can run! it is awesome. I love it. But there is always room for improvement specially with the electronics, it is not very user friendly like the escalade (FYI). For the price , I feel it should be. Audi should be looking into implementing the on-star system and navigation assistance.

[@nHeroGo]

Thank you for your super good reviews, S6, S7, S8 (and everything else). Consistent and preferable to competing productions. Would be nice to have some chaser cars along with on-board cameras.

[@ZHud3]

So im a little confused. Matt said that having the turbos mounted on top of the engine makes for a more compact design( I get that ) and better efficiency. Could someone explain how the location of the turbocharger effects engine efficiency? is it from the shorter exhaust manifold/turbo piping?

[@TheSmokingTire]

yeah, probably.

[@sspope]

It may lack torque, but the way it revs is awesome if you can afford the fuel.

[@thegr8schlotzky]

If I wanted to stare at the driver during an entire review, I would sooner listen to a review on the radio. I watched this entire video and I barely even know what this car looks like inside or out. It's a great looking car; SHOW IT!

[@MrUpgraydde]

Matt, in your opinion, do you feel that the price of European performance cars is justifiable in comparison to the value for dollar that is available in domestic models (Boss 302, GT500, ZL1, Corvette GS, CTS-V... etc)? Seems to me that at the same performance point domestics are around $30k less... does that money really show up in fit and finish? Or is the price tag just a measure of exclusivity and taxes?

[@toh3211]

Dude the S class was never meant to compete with the 500+hp cars; that's reserved more for the RS models.

[@MrBsquared13]

it looks like this car has a roof spoiler on top of the back window that activates, similar to the WRX STi last gen but using a static spoiler?

[@toh3211]

Definitely hoping and waiting for the RS model upgrade to come out hopefully; no point in upgrading from an A7 to a S7 in my opinion

[@TheSmokingTire]

the RS6 uses a completely different engine, so you can't even compare them.

[@davidradz]

Tuners have gotten the CLS550 into the 500hp range do you think tuners like giac/ apr/ revo will be able to achieve the similar numbers?

[@Boogsbunny13]

*BOOM!!!!* What was that? Matt dropping some knowledge on you.

[@ikeaaron]

Because Mercedes Benz has the S-Class and the CLS and Audi wants to remain competitive. Simple as that. For any car, look at the other cars in the segment and you can figure out why they exist.

[@TheSmokingTire]

50th anniversary Submariner.

[@bottomlayer]

Matt is awesome as always!

[@antdean1906]

Do you think you'll get your hands on a RS5 any time soon? I know they have a limited production run but that thing is AWESOME and combined with your cool commentary would make for an excellent review.

[@Forgoten214]

Headroom looks low on these new Audis. I know my head was barely touching the roof in the RS5. I didn't like that. I was hoping that the larger models will offer me more comfort room honestly. RS5, kept hitting my head on entry and exit. Any plans to test S8 or RS7/RS8 in the future?

[@feralc]

Did you happen to test the A7 as well, because I have read the difference in performance is not that huge, and that a tuned A7 could easily take a S7

[@PorscheSweden]

For under 79,000$ this is a pretty cool car?!?!? In Sweden you have to pay 179,000$ for this beauty :( I wish i lived in the US, than i would have picked up this car...

[@EatmyDust1311]

The difference is the Mustang is a value sports car while the S7 is a luxury sedan car with zero compromises. Thankfully, people as one dimensional as you are not old enough to drive or rich enough to buy a car. Bro.

[@G55STEYR]

The front diff is exactly between the front wheels, so the engine and clutch/ tq converter are in front of them, hence the saying it's in the front bumper or between the headlights. Why are you so surprized? It's the same layout in all Audi's except R8 and Q7 since the 60's

[@Shortay1325]

You do have somewhat of a point there. Although, I would like to point out a lot of auto journalists are biased in some ways when reviewing other brand cars. Just saying.

[@TheSmokingTire]

that's next week.

[@FELiPES101]

Audi S7: 420hp TT 4.0L $78,000 Ford Mustang GT: 420hp (not TT) 5.0L $30,000 This audi is my favorite look, even over the r8, but the value of the mustang is rediculous

[@focoquachy]

He's done fantastic reviews on the Civic SI and GTI before.

[@sspope]

The funny thing is that the S8 does compete with the S63 AMG. So it's not a rule like you're making it to be.

[@savagejoego]

Matt, Thanks for another well-balanced review. Good work.

[@ImTheSlyDevil]

ahhh im glad i subbed to the smoking tire. i didnt know you guys put stuff here and on the drive channel.

[@theonetfg]

How can you call it ugly from the back? It's the best looking rear end I've seen on an audi. It's almost like a fastback of the good old days.