This year Audi will launch the B8 A5 and S5 variants at Geneva Motor Show and the B8 A4 at Frankfurt show. In 2008 Audi will launch a mid-sized "coupe" at Geneva Motor Show. The new model, called Audi A7 will go on sale for model year 2009 in Europe and shortly thereafter in calendar 2009 in North America.

The Audi A7 will be offered as a four-door "coupe" and will compete with Mercedes CLS-Class.

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. 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.