With the future Audi A7, the Ingolstadt company is preparing to fill the gap between the A6 and the A8, but also between sedan and Avant. A five-seter model, featuring Audi’s language design previewed by the Sportback Concept back in January, the A7 Sportback will be sold in three different version: the standard A7, a more powerful S7, and the top of the line RS7.
Under the hood of the future A7, Audi will use three different direct gasoline injection engines including a 2.8 Liter FSI and 3.0 Liter TFSI V6s as well as a 4.0 Liter TFSI V8. The alternatively fueled diesel options include a 2.7 Liter V6 and both turbocharged and twin-turbocharged versions of the existing 3.0 Liter TDI V6.
The S7 version will use the same naturally aspirated 5.2L V10 engine from the S6 that delivers 435 hp at 6,800 rpm and 398 lb.-ft of torque. The S7 will be capable of an estimated top speed of 185 mph (but most likely will be electronically limited to 155 mph).
Due to the public’s warm reception to the Audi A5 Sportback, the German luxury automaker is also planning to bring out four-door coupe version of their A7 limousine by the end of 2010. The new Audi A7 will compete directly with models like the
Mercedes Benz CLS, Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. The exterior of the larger four door will be inspired by the
Sportback Concept that was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show
Audi revealed new details on the future A7 four-door coupe model. The company invested millions of Euros into the Neckarsulm plant where the A7 will be built. The car will make its officially debut in late 2010 with sales to begin in 2011. Audi will also build a S7 and a RS7 version, with diesel and hybrid version to follow later.
Under the hood will place a wide range of V6 engines - 204hp 2.8-liter and a 300 hp 3.0-liter supercharged, a 4,0 liter V8 for the S7 engine and a V10 for the RS7. The engines will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, a seven-speed dual-clutch or a eight-speed automatic gearbox.
All the US models will be offered with quattro AWD, while the Europeans will also get the RWD system.
Audi debuted Sportback concept at the North American International Auto Show, but we all know better. It’s no great secret that Detroit is where Audi was choosing to show the first preview of the Audi A7. The sedan-in-a-coupe-body is exactly what we’d expect from the four-ringed brand: sleek, big schnoz and a little different than everything else out there.
There is also some pretty significant technology behind the big grille. This concept is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 TDI clean diesel engine that Audi says almost completely eliminates nitrogen oxides. This engine already meets the emissions standards of all 50 states and the European EU6 standard scheduled to take effect in 2014. The engine delivers 225 hp and 405 lb. ft. of torque.
Audi claims the coupe will accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in less than seven seconds and reach a top speed of 245 km/h (152.24 mph). The Audi Sportback concept’s average fuel economy is 39.87 mpg, and its CO2 emissions no more than 251.06 g/mile. No bad for a big car. The Sportback measures in at 16.24 ft long and 6.33 ft wide, but its only a low-slung 4.59 ft tall.
Press release after the jump.
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The four-door coupe is an interesting idea. It’s for someone who need the functionality of four-door but wants to look like he/she is still cool enough to only need two. Jaguar has been putting a touch of this idea into its sedans for decades, but it has really started to become popular since Mercedes put out the CLS.
So now Audi is throwing its hat into the sedan/coupe ring, and we’re showing some rendered speculation about what the A7 may look like. This coupe-in-a-sedan’s-body should be based on Audi’s A6 architecture and be placed between the A6 and the A8 in the lineup. This will be the big brother to the future A5 sedan, and could possibly have a convertible version in its future. The engine range could start with a 2.8 or 3.0-liter V6 and top out as high as the twin-turbo V10 from the its cousin the Lamborghini Gallardo. The concept will be shown at the North American International Auto Show in January. Audi is hinting that what will be seen in Detroit will be very close to the production version, and sales could begin as early as sometime next year.
This is the first proof that Audi is actually working on a Mercedes CLS-fighter. The Audi’s four-door coupe will be called A7 and will debut in 2010.
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 A7 will actually surpass the A8 in terms of price.
There will also be a S7 and a RS7 version. The A7 will get a choice of V8 engine, but a hybrid version is also a possibility: it will combine a V6 diesel or gasoline engines and lithium-ion batteries from Sanyo.
Official debut is expected for the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.
Audi has been on a relentless new car introduction path as of late and 2007 will be no exception. The manufacturer will debut its B8 A5 and S5 variants at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March, to be followed by the all new B8 A4 at the enormous Frankfurt show in the fall.
In 2008 Audi continues by introducing a mid-sized "coupe" model for the very first time. According to those familiar with the program the debut will take place at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show with the vehicle – to be named the Audi A7 – going on sale for model year 2009 in Europe and shortly thereafter in calendar 2009 in North America.
The Audi A7 will initially be offered as a four-door "coupe". Today only one manufacturer has an offering in the luxury four-door coupe segment: Mercedes-Benz with its CLS.
Audi’s case for building the A7 is bolstered by the CLS’ strong sales and the healthy ongoing global forecast for luxury vehicles. In fact Audi is not the only manufacturer with plans in this area, as both Jaguar and Volkswagen have been working on their own rivals for the CLS. In Jaguar’s case it will be the upcoming XJ replacement, however we have to wonder if new VW Group boss (and former Audi Chairman) Dr. Martin Winterkorn will keep the supposedly Passat-based VW project alive.
The Audi A7 will not readily compete with BMW’s 6-series as previously speculated by other publications. The vehicle has been designed specifically with rear occupant comfort in mind – a noteworthy differentiator from the traditional luxury coupe. The wheelbase, while very close to the Audi A6’s, will be an all new design. This so-called “large car wheelbase” will not only ensure the aforementioned rear passenger comfort, but will make the car look bigger than the A6. Expect to also see less front overhang than in the A6 range.
Although not the first to take advantage of Audi’s new powertrain architecture (the upcoming A5/S5 coupes and Q5 “small” crossover will be the very first Audis to do so), the A7 will benefit from the relocated engine and transmission. This MLP (Modular Longitudinal Platform) platform gets its name from its ability to service many vehicles within the Audi lineup (the aforementioned A5/S5, Q5, next generation A4 as well as the A6, A7 and A8). Everything from electronics to drivetrains can be interchanged to allow for customized architectures for each model as required.
The A7, as with all MLP vehicles, will see the engine and transmission moved further back behind the axle which in turn will provide significantly improved handling and driving dynamics.
Powerplant decisions have not been finalized at this time, but both gasoline and TDI offerings will definitely be available at launch. The most sought after European engine is thought to be a 4.2-liter TDI with its 326 horsepower and massive 650 Newton meters of torque available between 1600 and 3500 rpm. Closer to home, despite Audi’s recent North American diesel powerplant announcements, we hear that the Audi A7 will initially come to the US with only the 4.2-liter FSI gasoline powerplant. In addition to the 4.2 TDI expect both a gasoline and a V6 TDI offering at launch in Europe (and for the all-important Chinese market) with a V6 TDI available in North America approximately six to nine months after the initial gasoline-powered Audi A7 4.2 goes on sale here.
Plans are already well under way to also offer an S-version of the A7. The S7 will benefit from the S6’s Lambo-derived V10 powerplant, and will include larger high performance wheels and tires, an adjustable sport suspension and unbeatable performance in the segment. The S7 will be available in 2010.
Audi believes it can nearly create the illusion of a true two-door coupe vehicle while still retaining all four doors in the A7. The use of frameless door glass is a big contributing factor here, but Audi is also looking at ways to hide the rear door handle by integrating it into the black triangle assembly behind the rear window. With no traditional rear door handle and the appearance of a “single piece of glass” uninterrupted by a B-pillar the vehicle presents a credible coupe façade.
A recent mock-up of the A7 actually included a conventional rear door handle on one side and a hidden door handle on the other in order to give executives and designers better means to evaluate the concept.
The exterior of the A7 will of course employ Audi’s corporate “face” with a single frame grille. Highlighting the front, however, will also be the liberal use of LED lighting not only for the integrated fog lights, but also for the headlights themselves (as in today’s R8 sports car). An all-glass roof much like the open sky system available in both the A3 and Q7 models has been considered, although we hear that this option may not be available until (or rather “if”) the A7 is sold as a true two-door coupe. All new colors are being developed to specifically highlight the A7’s graceful shape, with both a metallic white and a highly speckled metallic black looking particularly striking.
Inside the A7, Audi will continue with its absolute mastery of interior beauty and comfort. Given the positioning of the A7 we will be seeing A8-like colors and materials utilized throughout. The rear seats will not be bench style, but rather multi-function, bucket-type seating for improved passenger comfort.
There has been ongoing speculation regarding two-door coupe and convertible A7 variants. Audi seeks to fill a specific market opportunity with the four-door coupe A7 and will not make decisions regarding variants until initial sales performance of the four-door coupe is measured. Both a two-door coupe and convertible A7 have of course been designed in concept, but Audi’s current production plans do not yet include either.
It is difficult to predict pricing for the Audi A7 this far in advance of its availability, but one need only look at the current premium between the Mercedes-Benz CLS and E-Class to get guidance that the Audi A7 will sell at a premium of 15-20% above the A6 range.
Audi is working on a four-door coupe that will take on models from Mercedes, VW and Jaguar. The future A7, set to be launched in 2009 will be built on the new A6 lightweight aluminum platform.
Under the hood the company will place a based 2.8-liter V6 FSI or the new supercharged 3.0-liter V6. The RS7 version will be powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V10 engine, while the S7 will use a detuned version.
Check out preview on the 2010 A7 in here.
The 2010 Audi A7 will be a luxury four-door coupe place between the A6 and the A8 that will compete with models like Mercedes CLS, as well as the forthcoming BMW 8-Series.
Audi promises that the future A7 will be a combination of luxury, style and performance. It will feature the second-generation of Audi’s MMI cabin control system and high quality interior.
The A7 will be offered with six engines: a trio of V6 diesels, including an all-new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged unit, as well as V6 and V8 petrol powerplants. The RS7 version will be powered by a revised version of the 5.2-litre V10 in the current RS6, that will deliver more than 600bhp.
AutoWeek revealed more details about the future Audi A7, a model that "will stand for performance, elegance and quality in the fast-emerging luxury "four-door coupe" market when it is launched in June 2010".
The future A7 will be placed between the A6 and the A8 and will compete with models like Mercedes-Benz CLS, the BMW 8-series.
Audi is also planning a hardtop A7 and a soft-top convertible. S7 and RS7 versions are also under consideration. The RS7 will be powered by the RS6’s twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V10 engine delivering 600 hp to quattro all-wheel drive and a new torque-vectoring system.
Under the hood Audi will put two direct-injection gasoline V6 engines for the A7: a 204-hp naturally aspirated 2.8-liter and a 300-hp supercharged 3.0-liter. Above them will be a 394-hp turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 in the S7 and the aforementioned V10 powering the RS7. The S7 is due in November 2010, followed by the RS7 in June 2012. Gearbox options will include a standard six-speed manual, a seven-speed double-clutch unit and a new eight-speed automatic.
All-wheel drive will be standard for U.S. models, using the quattro system boasting a 40/60 torque split in combination with a new torque-vectoring system to appear in the S4 that is due in October.
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