The current Audi->ke14 line-up starts with the A1 and goes all the way up to the A8, but things are about to change as Audi is planning on a new luxury four-door sedan to be called the A9. It will be placed above the current A8->ke1089 and will be the most luxurious and the most expensive model Audi has ever offered.

Next to the sport version of the A1->ke1729 and the Q1->ke2718, the luxury sports A9 comes as an attempt to allow Audi to become the "world's premium brand, number one," as Audi said in a previous statement, and they are barreling forward with the new A9 as they target models like the Porsche Panamera Turbo.

However, with speed comes a high price tag. A car like this starts off at 100,000 euro (around $140,000 at the current exchange rates) so you better be packing some cash to deal with this heat.

Updated 05/17/2012: Today we have a new rendering of the upcoming Audi A9. Enjoy!

Hit the jump to see what makes the Audi A9 so special.

(Picture shown here is of an Audi A9 Concept designed by Spanish designer Daniel Garcia)

2015 Audi A9

Specifications
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  • Model: 2015 Audi A9
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Exterior and Interior

The future Audi A9 will be the most luxurious model ever built. It will combine design elements from the latest Audi models, like the A7 Sportback. The 2009 Sportback Concept is, of course, the direction Audi's design language is headed, but the A9 will take it to a new level.

The biggest surprise will be offered by the interior. Expect to get the highest quality material, leather, wood insertions and Alcantara. Of course all the latest technologies will also find their way in there.

The Engine

For the engine line-up expect to see a 3.0 TFSI engine with around 300 HP for the base version, and a V8 with 500 HP for the top version. The hybrid, which is also a possibility, will combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total of 500 HP.

The future Audi A9 will be built on Volkswagen's new modular building block (MSB) platform that will be used for different models from Audi, Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini. This platform was already successfully used with the new Panamera, so Audi should be able to make a statement with it as well. The platform will give Audi the chance to build both rear-and four-wheel drive models.

The Competition

If Audi wanted to enter the high-end luxury market, the A9 is the model that will do it. Models like the Aston Martin Rapide->ke1082, Porsche Panamera Turbo->ke1840, or even the future Lamborghini sedan->ke3287 will have lots of reasons to worry.

When Can I Buy One?

The Audi A9 will go on sale around 2015 with a price tag of about $140,0000 so be prepared to dole out the cash for this rockstar.