I think it’s funny how car makers sometimes skirt the issue on exactly what kind of model their vehicle is.

No car maker ever wants to say it has created a new wagon – it’s always a “crossover.”

Or, in the case of my Audi A7, it’s officially called a five-door coupe.

But it’s a hatchback.

And, may I add, it’s the nicest, fanciest, fastest hatchback I’ve ever driven.

Every 2012 Audi A7 comes standard with all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission and a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 310 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.

It was a dream to drive.

Sporty: Check.

Smooth and quiet: Check.

Precision handling and responsive feel to the road: Check and check.

It’s rare you get a sports-tuned car that can still rival a Lexus or Caddy in quietness and smoothness, but the A7 has it all.

I will admit, despite having four doors and a hatchback rear, it has all the attributes of a luxury coupe, as well as the silhouette.

I loved the look of the A7.

Based on the A6 sedan, the A7 sports the typical Audi front fascia, but it’s lower and wider, like Audi’s uber-sporty A5 coupe.

The roof line dramatically slopes toward the rear, a lot like other luxury coupes, especially the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The A7’s style seemed a little radical at first, but by the end of the week I was in love with it.

Another way the A7 is similar to the CLS – the A7 has two rear bucket seats that offer a lot of legroom, but practically no headroom. I had 12-year-olds in the rear and even they complained. (I told them to stuff it – we were riding in an Audi A7.)

The hatchback door offers a more versatile cargo area than what you find in a sedan and the cargo space was quite impressive.

The good news is there is a lot of technology in this car including a large 7-inch screen that rises above the center stack. And all the buttons become moot when you use voice commands for all manner of GPS navigation, including Google Earth images in 2D or 3D birds eye view, telephone, radio and HVAC controls.

All A7s start at $59,250.

My test model had the Premium and 20” Sports packages added on bringing the price to $66,220. The premium package added on a lot, including navigation, the 7” screen, front and rear parking sensors, HD radio, auto-dimming and heated mirrors and roadside service.