Audi ’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz CLS – the Audi A7 – will hit the market in late 2010 as a 2011 model, a new report finds. Audi first previewed the forthcoming A7 with the Sportback concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Europe’s Auto Motor und Sport has learned that the Audi A7 will officially enter production late next year at Audi’s Neckarsulm plant. The first A7s should hit the European market at the tail end of 2010, with U.S. sales likely to kick off in early 2011.
The Euro-spec base model A7 will likely do with a 204 horsepower 2.8L, but look for the United States to receive no less than a 300 horsepower supercharged 3.0L V6. An up-scale S7 model is expected to bow shortly after the A7 – featuring a 394 horsepower V8 – with the range-topping RS7 slated to hit the market in 2012. The RS7 is tipped to be powered by a 600 horsepower twin-turbo V10.
A7 models will initially be offered with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic but Audi will reportedly add a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox to the mix later on. U.S. models will likely come standard with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.
Audi will employ an air suspension system on all A7 models – nixing the usual spring setup – giving the four-door coupe equal footing with Mercedes’ CLS.
Pricing has yet to be revealed for the A7, but Audi expects annual sales of about 40,000 units.
