[Brabus E V12]

Audi continues its quest to fill every possible niche in the motoring universe with this new A7 that arrives in 2009. British magazine CAR's artist's impression is based on the official design sketch the magazine smuggled out of Ingolstadt last year (red car pictured) and reveals the new four-door coupe that will be shown at the Frankfurt motor show 2009.

Should we believe the marketing claims of four-door coupes? Essentially, they are slinkier, less practical, lower-roofed saloons – hardly cut 'n' thrust two-door sports cars. Whatever you call them, they're all the rage – with Merc enjoying success with its gangsta CLS, Jag continuing its low-slung theme with the XF and VW now muscling in at the budget end of the market with the Passat CC. BMW too is planning a four-door GT based around the Concept CS.

Audi A7

We'll see the A7 in autumn 2009 ahead of a showroom debut in 2010. It's based on the next-gen A6 vehicle architecture, which means a new lightweight aluminium structure that uses steel reinforcements to cut weight. Our sources suggest it'll be 4900mm long.

As you'd hope with something that long, the A7 is a four-seater – but you'll buy one for its swoopy looks rather than roomy pews. Audi expects to flog around 40,000 copies a year once sales are in full swing.

Tech highlights on the new Audi A7

The A7 will use air springs for a lolloping ride quality on higher-spec models and – luxury is the name of the game here – four-cylinder power will be off limits. Unless sales are poorer than expected, that is, when A6 four-pots could be wheeled out.

So expect a suite of six- and eight-cylinder powerplants. 'Base' models will run a 2.8-litre direct-injection FSI V6 while more leaden-footed drivers may care to pick the forthcoming S4's new 3.0 litre supercharged V6.

Buyers in cheap-fuel nations may consider the guzzling 4.2-litre FSI V8, but surely most buyers will pick between the diesel options: the 2.7L V6 TDI, and either single or twin turbocharged versions of the 3.0-litre V6 TDI.

Source: CAR Magazine





Audi A7 (2009): the full story | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online

[abhiram7912]

some how these four door coupes by audi and VW doesnot look good. to me these look like a normal sedan. only mercedes got it right. but thats my opinion.

[lamborghini]

Audi's CLS competitor?
Looks good!

[spawnofsatan]

That a7 looks gorgeous, i would prefer it over the CLS as far looks go.