Damienr8
June 13th, 2008, 15:15
Taken from MotorAuthority.com
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedans/spy-shots-first-2011-audi-a7-prototypes/
Audi is determined to eclipse its main rivals in the luxury segment and will be releasing an onslaught of new models over the next seven years to nearly double its offerings to 40 models. We recently saw the introduction of the new Q5 SUV as well as confirmed plans for a new entry-level A1 minicar, and now we have spy shots of a vehicle that fits in at the other end of the spectrum. These latest spy shots reveal a prototype for the upcoming A7, which is set to do battle in the fast-emerging luxury four-door coupe market when it’s launched in mid 2010.
Though the heavy camouflage hides most of the details, we can clearly see the car will feature a generous wheelbase but relatively short overhangs joined by flat front end. The outline of the grille also appears to feature a new tapered look not seen on Audi’s current range.
The Audi A7 will initially be offered as a hard-top but will be joined by a soft-top four-door convertible towards the end of 2010. Positioned between the A6 and A8 flagship, the new A7 will have to compete with the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera four-door coupes but will be unique in the market due to its convertible option.
A very wide range of powertrains will be offered in the A7 and its S7 and RS7 sport-focused variants, including diesel-electric hybrids to 600hp (450kW) V10s. The hybrid drive is expected to show up first in the company’s Q5 soft-roader, making its A7 appearance later next year, according to documents obtained by AutoWeek. The new hybrid models, which will be available with either diesel or petrol V6 engines, will also feature new lithium-ion batteries developed in a joint-venture between parent company Volkswagen and Sanyo.
The more ordinary A7 variants will be powered by a pair of petrol V6s. The first, a 204hp (152kW) 2.8L engine in the base model, while a 3.0L supercharged engine making 300hp (225kW) will be the first step up. An upgrade to S7 trim will bring with it another 94hp (70kW) in the form of a 4.0L V8. The RS7 range topper will get the same 5.2L V10 from the RS6 but power will be boosted to 600hp (450kW).
A six-speed manual gearbox and eight-speed automatic will be available in the lower-spec models, while a seven-speed dual-clutch unit is also expected to be offered in the higher-performance variants. U.S. models are also expected to get Audi’s quattro AWD standard, though it’s not known if European market variants will have a FWD option. Audi’s new torque-vectoring system will also be part of the package.
Air suspension will replace the standard spring-based system found in other Audis. The change is designed to help the car compete with the progenitor of the four-door coupe genre, the Mercedes CLS. Sales of the car are only expected to reach the 40,000 mark, but the image boost it will offer with its high-tech features and glamorous look - especially in the soft-top variant - are important for Audi’s development as a brand.
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Audi/A7/spy/1/2010_Audi_A7_first_spy_shots_MotorAuthority_002.jp g
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedans/spy-shots-first-2011-audi-a7-prototypes/
Audi is determined to eclipse its main rivals in the luxury segment and will be releasing an onslaught of new models over the next seven years to nearly double its offerings to 40 models. We recently saw the introduction of the new Q5 SUV as well as confirmed plans for a new entry-level A1 minicar, and now we have spy shots of a vehicle that fits in at the other end of the spectrum. These latest spy shots reveal a prototype for the upcoming A7, which is set to do battle in the fast-emerging luxury four-door coupe market when it’s launched in mid 2010.
Though the heavy camouflage hides most of the details, we can clearly see the car will feature a generous wheelbase but relatively short overhangs joined by flat front end. The outline of the grille also appears to feature a new tapered look not seen on Audi’s current range.
The Audi A7 will initially be offered as a hard-top but will be joined by a soft-top four-door convertible towards the end of 2010. Positioned between the A6 and A8 flagship, the new A7 will have to compete with the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera four-door coupes but will be unique in the market due to its convertible option.
A very wide range of powertrains will be offered in the A7 and its S7 and RS7 sport-focused variants, including diesel-electric hybrids to 600hp (450kW) V10s. The hybrid drive is expected to show up first in the company’s Q5 soft-roader, making its A7 appearance later next year, according to documents obtained by AutoWeek. The new hybrid models, which will be available with either diesel or petrol V6 engines, will also feature new lithium-ion batteries developed in a joint-venture between parent company Volkswagen and Sanyo.
The more ordinary A7 variants will be powered by a pair of petrol V6s. The first, a 204hp (152kW) 2.8L engine in the base model, while a 3.0L supercharged engine making 300hp (225kW) will be the first step up. An upgrade to S7 trim will bring with it another 94hp (70kW) in the form of a 4.0L V8. The RS7 range topper will get the same 5.2L V10 from the RS6 but power will be boosted to 600hp (450kW).
A six-speed manual gearbox and eight-speed automatic will be available in the lower-spec models, while a seven-speed dual-clutch unit is also expected to be offered in the higher-performance variants. U.S. models are also expected to get Audi’s quattro AWD standard, though it’s not known if European market variants will have a FWD option. Audi’s new torque-vectoring system will also be part of the package.
Air suspension will replace the standard spring-based system found in other Audis. The change is designed to help the car compete with the progenitor of the four-door coupe genre, the Mercedes CLS. Sales of the car are only expected to reach the 40,000 mark, but the image boost it will offer with its high-tech features and glamorous look - especially in the soft-top variant - are important for Audi’s development as a brand.
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Audi/A7/spy/1/2010_Audi_A7_first_spy_shots_MotorAuthority_002.jp g