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.
The A7 will become the automaker’s new flagship, though it’s not known if it will actually surpass the A8 in terms of price. The car will be a four seater, and will ride on a modified version of the next-generation A6 platform. Overall length is expected to be near 193 inches.
The design includes fewer body lines around the roof and shoulders, a more horizontal shoulder, a new single-frame grille and LED taillights.
S7 and RS7 variants are expected, though it’s not known what engines will provide motivation for the performance-oriented models. With the next-generation S6 slated to downsize from a V10 to a V8, we’re pretty certain eight cylinders will be the maximum configuration. On the other side of the spectrum, a hybrid A7 will combine V6 diesel or gasoline engines and lithium-ion batteries from Sanyo.
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.
The Audi A7 will officially enter production late next year at Audi’s Neckarsulm plant, with the first A7s hitting the European market at the tail end of 2010. U.S. sales are likely to kick off in early 2011.
Pricing has yet to be revealed for the A7, but Audi expects annual sales of about 40,000 units.
11/24, 3:20 PM
posted by:
gitcypher
Remember how the Panamera is ugly…
11/24, 3:22 PM
posted by:
beemerdude
Will someone please tell me what the point of this type of vehicle is?
Only four seats and still as large as a full-size (i.e., 5 – 6 passenger) sedan?
And all you’re getting over a similar vehicle is a swoopy roofline?
Sorry, but I’m not getting it.
11/24, 3:26 PM
posted by:
Borat
Panamera ugliness shows even with camo.
11/24, 3:31 PM
posted by:
bigjimid
beemerdude,
I think the idea now is to take the idea of the suv and sedanisize it. Like personal limos for everyone!!!!
11/24, 3:35 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Going by Porshe and Audi on this, the AMC Pacer was ahead of its time.
11/24, 3:38 PM
posted by:
wakeNbake
Audi needs to do something with the C pillar.
11/24, 3:46 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
If Hitler were here, someone might actually give a damn. Otherwise, go look at Cadillacs current lineup and tell me why Audi exists at all. Halfass German garbage for posuers and nancies. This car will spend more time on the back of a flatbed or a towtruck than in your own driveway. Go GM.
Buy American. Buy GM.
11/24, 4:12 PM
posted by:
beemerdude
Man, talk about the wrong type of vehicle for the times!!
Seating for only four… poor gas mileage … and at a startingly high price.
Other than THAT…
11/24, 4:14 PM
posted by:
jonmiles
I really hope the demensions are changed before production… that A4/A5 front does NOT look right on the car…
11/24, 5:14 PM
posted by:
NismoSentraKen
======>>[beemerdude] uhhh…..i can fill my ‘93 sentra up from empty to full with only $28 using 93octane. Took $42 less than a year ago. Sounds like the right times to me…..and they seat five. If anybody that has the money to shop in the 4door-coupe market, but is still looking at milage numbers then they should just opt for the V6 versions.
11/24, 6:17 PM
posted by:
carbonsigma
The rear half of this car better turn out right, unlike, say, the Panamera.
11/24, 6:48 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
It’s one thing to be car stupid, but why advertise that fact by driving an Audi?
11/24, 7:39 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
I agree with everybody on the rear half. It’s WAY too bulky and has taillights of a 99′ Volkswagen.
11/24, 7:44 PM
posted by:
bgco88
The car is completely cammoed…i wonder how you guys can say things about its style from those shots…maybe im missing something?From the official A7 sketches the car will look stunning…so im not worried about early stage test mules at all.
11/24, 7:53 PM
posted by:
alceuzito
bgco88,
“scalded cat fears cold water”… Did you check the Panamera looks?
11/24, 8:10 PM
posted by:
NismoSentraKen
=====>>yeah alceuzito, and the Panamera looks awesome!
11/24, 8:32 PM
posted by:
carbonsigma
NismoSentraKen, you’ve got to be the only one who likes the Panamera. But then again I’m willing to bet that we’ll all come around to it eventually..
11/24, 9:34 PM
posted by:
NismoSentraKen
=========>>when i first saw the Porsche 928 i thought it was ugly at the rear, until it grew on me like very fast….same with the Panamera, i think it will grow veryfast for like 90% of people hatin’ or bashing it….
11/24, 11:40 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
What happened to the “coupe” in Audi and Porsche’s 4-door coupes? Last time I looked, coupes had a swoopy roofline tapering into a noticeable trunk.. what these manufacturers are producing are modern-day Rover 3500s.. not exactly the pinnacle of style or class.
11/25, 10:24 AM
posted by:
PW
Last time I checked, coupes were two-door vehicles. F*ck this four-door coupe nonsense from the Germans. Mercedes is rubbish; Audi is not much better.
11/25, 10:40 AM
posted by:
cjblair
bcgo88:
Your absolutely right. There are some conclusions that can be drawn from these pics, but not many. This car is actually quite camoflouged. Seriously tyler_tt, do you think those are the final production taillights? They totally look like they’re off an old Jetta, theres NO WAY Audi will put those on its new sedan. BTW, how is it a flagship if its smaller, and less expensive than the A8?
11/25, 10:53 PM
posted by:
wideopenthrottle
PW is right. There is no such thing as a four door COUPE! By it’s very definition, a coupe has only 4 doors. If they say it a large sedan that has a coupe-inspired roofline, then yeah ok that is possible. The Mercedes CLS, Aston Rapide (even though I personally like it) Porsche Panamera, Lambo Estoque and Audi A7 are not coupes!
07/07, 8:33 AM
posted by:
snoogah
actually technically a coupe is any car that has less than a certain amount of cubic inches available in the back inside the car; thats how they get away with calling 4 door cars coupes. I agree that that definition is bs though, counting doors is much more relevant to market segmentation than the exact amount of cubic feet.