2012 Audi A7

Talk about being "linked in." While I'm finding my way with the Audi A7's intuitive Google Earth navigation and Google Local search (who asks for directions anymore?), the guys in the back seat are surfing the Internet and checking their email.

It's called Audi Connect, and Audi says much of it marks an industry first. Truth is, Audi is breaking new ground with a number of innovative features these days; they're first to market with standard Wi-Fi connectivity, too.

But forgive me, I've buried the lead: The 2012 Audi A7 has exceptional looks, sporty lines and it's a heckuva fun ride, too. A supercharged ride. One that will spring from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds and up to 100 mph in just over 13 seconds.

The A7 is a different sort of animal. With its sloping roofline, it could fool you into thinking it's a sport coupe. But it is a four-door luxury sedan with the practicality of a large, rear hatchback for easy access to the golf clubs.

The next-generation A6 shares much of the underpinnings here, but the A7 is longer and wider.

Flying up the ramp and onto the interstate is a brisk run with its 3.0-liter V-6 fitted with a belt-driven supercharger and direct fuel injection. It's the same engine as the current A6 and it's good for 295 horses and 325 pound-feet of torque. Top speed is factory-limited at 130 mph.

Regulating the speed is a smooth-shifting eight-speed transmission that gets some credit for the estimated 28 mpg on the highway - if you behave. The Tiptronic tranny also lets you select any of those eight gears manually.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of its acceleration is in the midrange torque. Fifty-to-70 mph can be had in 3.4 seconds.

Riding the uneven roads is better than in most Audi models, in spite of its rather stiff suspension. Handling is clean and predictable, and it can be pushed on the corners in spite of its size.