Not only can the S7 please enthusiast drivers with its fluid responses and beastly power, it also hides hatchback versatility under its swept-back design. A 450-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 powers all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic; an adjustable suspension offers settings to suit every mood. To top it off, the S7’s chic interior and a long list of available tech and infotainment options can make the cabin a comfortable, luxurious place to be while eating up the miles.

Even a quick glance tells you the 2014 Audi S7 is not your ordinary Audi. As one of the first two models in Audi's new environmentally friendly "S" sub-brand, the S7 is free from the packaging constraints automakers typically encounter when placing electric components in a vehicle that was never intended to have them. It is also free from the historic expectations of what people expect a BMW to look like, drive like and be powered by.