Audi A7 Bests BMW 640i Gran Coupe in Car and Driver Comparison

Nashua, United States, 08/30/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

Audi and BMW have both come out with sleekly designed variants of their midsize sedans during the past year or so, and Car and Driver was anxious to get the two executive-class vehicles head-to-head on the road. The auto publication recently matched up the 2012 Audi A7 3.0T Quattro against the 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe, favoring the Audi over its fellow Bavarian competitor because of its tidy handling, sophisticated styling and abundant cargo space.

The Audi A7 arrived last year as a coupe-styled, hatchback take on the A6 sedan, and the BMW 640i Gran Coupe, a combination of the two-door 6 Series and 5 Series sedan, went on sale this past June. Car and Driver was impressed with both models' curves, but the Audi had a clear advantage when it came to spaciousness, offering 25 cubic-feet through its hatch versus the BMW's 13 cubic-feet of trunk space, as well as more rear legroom. Car and Driver editors also noted that, despite its space advantage, the Audi felt smaller and more nimble on the road, praising the car's refined handling and engaging acceleration.

"For a while, the Mercedes-Benz CLS was the only option if you wanted a sleeker, coupe-like version of an executive-class midsize sedan, but the A7 beat out that model as well last year in another Car and Driver comparison," said Larry Bedell, general manager of Audi of Nashua, an Audi dealer in New Hampshire. "The Audi A7 has quickly proven its superior performance on the road, but with its rear cargo space, you also have plenty of room for luggage, golf bags or skis, making it a great vehicle for a weekend getaway."

Car and Driver editors weren't the only industry experts to recently find evidence of Audi's premium quality. The German automaker earned top marks in the AutoPacific and Autobytel 2012 Ideal Vehicle Awards, taking the gold in the Premium Brand category. When it came to individual vehicles, the 2012 Audi A4 was named Most Ideal Aspirational Luxury Car, while the 2012 Audi A5 and A6 followed closely behind to sweep the category.

The Ideal Vehicle Awards are determined based on survey results from more than 75,000 car and light-truck owners that have been with their new 2012-model-year vehicle for 90 days. Survey questions cover 15 key vehicle attributes that range from exterior styling and size to power, acceleration and safety features. The awards recognize vehicles whose owners desire the least amount of changes, showing that Audi is providing the right mix of attributes to its customers.

While the 2012 Audi A4 may already be the ideal vehicle for many, the new 2013 A4 features a number of revisions that improve the sedan's handling and style, as well as new available technology that keeps owners wired in on the road. Audi connect, the automaker's navigation and infotainment system, is able to use Google Earth maps to show real aerial views of the driving route, and it can also provide local weather forecasts, fuel prices, news and travel information. The system even offers Google Search using voice commands.

"Audi is unrelenting when it comes to improving its products, and the result is highly satisfied drivers," Bedell noted. "The 2013 Audi A4 offers an incredible amount of technology and performance in a sophisticated body, and that leaves the competition looking very dated."

About Audi of Nashua:
A five-time winner of Audi’s prestigious Magna Society award, Audi of Nashua invites those in search of the world’s finest vehicles to explore its inventory of new and used Audi cars for sale. New Hampshire
Audi owners will also find a complete selection of Audi parts and accessories, as well as expert Audi service from factory-trained technicians. Discover the quality, performance and engineering that make every Audi special by checking their inventory at www.audinashua.com, liking them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/audiofnashua, or calling their dealership, located at 170 Main Dunstable Road in Nashua, N.H., at 888-475-5701.