IN the executive car market it used to be a Henry Ford style choice of a saloon and not much else.

Sure there was the odd estate thrown in for good measure but hatchbacks were pretty much off the radar.

But recently Audi and BMW have both gone down the hatchback route, Audi with the A5 Sportback and BMW with the 5-Series GT.

Never content to stand still Audi has now added another hatchback in the shape of the even larger A7 Sportback to its range.

If the A5 Sportback sits somewhere between the A4 and the A6 then the A7 inhabits the as yet unexplored hinterland between the A6 and A8.

As well as offering hatchback practicality, with its sleek and sloping design lines it also fits the bill as a rival to the highly successful Mercedes CLS.

It's very similar to the A5 Sportback, indeed at first glance it's a little like a stretch limo or extended wheelbase version of it.

If anything the coupe-inspired profile has even more presence due to it being longer and it's certainly a look that's easy on the eye.

And cleverly, despite the low-slung and svelte stance it offers the kind of interior space one might expect to find in the finest executive saloon.

If those good looks aren't enough to woo potential buyers then soaking up the A7's truly sumptuous interior is likely to win people over.

Even compared to premium rivals Audi is setting new standards when it comes to cabin comfort, exemplary switchgear and all-round sophistication.

The whole package achieves a degree of excellence to the point where you start to feel it's all been designed to suit your own personal requirements.

Entertainment and information systems are simplicity personified and have a wonderfully intuitive character. A welcome addition is an i-Pod-style touch pad that helps give the control panel a slight space-age feel.

Of course it's possible to spec an Audi up to such a degree you'll be shedding tears over depreciation when the time comes to sell it on.

Going crazy with the add-ons could create an A7 that would cost just short of £100,000, but even more basic versions offer creature comforts and gizmos-a-plenty to make the whole business of motoring as stress free and enjoyable as could be imagined.

So, given you're in your own little comfort zone, a privilege shared by your front seat passenger and the two rear seat passengers - what's the A7 like once you actually get moving?

Reassuringly pleasant is perhaps the best summation. A wonderfully insulated cabin gives it a nice removed from the outside world feel.

There's little vibration or noise and it soaks up the worst of the lumps and bumps the British road network can throw at it with ease.

As far as engines go there are currently two 3.0-litre diesels to choose from offering 204 and 245bhp and  2.8-litre and 3.0-litre TFSI petrol models. The higher-powered diesel and all the petrol models offer four-wheel drive as standard.

Though the A7 might fall short of the handling capabilities of some of its rivals the quattro element gives it added sharpness and helps make for a drive that is more than up to the mark, cornering effortlessly at speed with a reassuringly flat and sure-footed feel.

Performance from the new diesel engines is impressive, though I confess I preferred the standard mode in the seven-speed automatic gearbox over the sharper and more extreme sport mode.

For all the added zip the sport mode feels just a little to stuttery and jerky for my liking.

As well as contributing to its appealing profile the hatchback element delivers in terms of practicality too. I'm an unavowed hatchback fan and when it comes to combining versatility with luxury the A7 offers an excellent combination.