Audi A5, A7, A8: Preview SketchesMotoring Channel Staff - 28/October/2008
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Audi A5, Audi A7, Audi A8 Preview Sketches
The new Audi A7 is a coupe with 4-doors
Audi's next generation A8 flagship model: due soon
The Audi A5 convertible will rival
BMW's 3 Series convertible models
These last two sketches could either be the new
A7, or perhaps a 4-door liftback version of the A5
The last two sketches also appear to be the
closest to reality, with production-car lines
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Ingolstadt, Germany —
There's nothing quite like revealing a batch of preview sketches to
build the hype for new models, and that's exactly what Audi has done. The
A5 convertible, the R8 Spider (convertible) the all-new A7 coupe, and
other models have been revealed in drawn form, confirming their
upcoming launches. However, the one thing really stands out about these new cars is the similarity of them all. The
R8 roadster with its cloth roof is the one exception, but the new A5
models, the A7, and what could to be a redesigned A8 all look
incredibly similar. Many people would argue that having a range
of vehicles that all look the same is not a negative thing, but the
overall consensus here at the Motoring Channel is that this is not a
good path for Audi to be heading down. Creating a number of
'cloned' cars could eventually lead to customer dissatisfaction, where
buying one model is no different from buying another in terms of
on-road appearance and recognition. New Audi ModelsExpected
to start arriving in 2009, beginning with the R8 and A5
convertible models, Audi is looking at increasing its product line-up
significantly. Audi R8 Spider Starting
from the top, the new Audi R8 convertible or 'roadster' is expected in
late 2009, offering hardcore mid-engined performance with
wind-in-your-hair thrills. Using a cloth roof to reduce
space and weight, the Audi Spider will command a premium over the R8
coupe but that shouldn't deter fashion-conscious buyers who want a
V8-powered twin seat exotic. Audi A7 Luxury Coupe Along with bread-and-butter models like the upcoming Mini Cooper rival, the Audi A1, Audi will try and poach a number of Mercedes-Benz CLS customers with the new A7, a medium-to-large sized 4-door coupe. This
all-new A7 model is likely to be launched in 2010 after extensive
testing, and will offered with a range of engines including Audi's new
supercharged V6 petrol engine. There will be 4-, 6-,
8-cylinder engines and possibly even 10-cylinder engines for the high
performance 'S' models, such as the S7, which will be made available
after the initial A7 model launch. Audi A5 Roadster The
A5 convertible will join its coupe sibling as a rival to the BMW 3
Series coupes and is likely to be equipped with Audi's latest high tech
arsenal of comfort and entertainment options when it launches in 2009. Like
the current A5 coupe range, engines will be skewed towards performance
with 6- and 8-cylinder engines for the most part but diesel motors
could also be optional. Audi A8 Finally there is the all-new, next generation A8 which is one of Audi's most important models. Going
head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz S Class and the new BMW 7 Series, a
lot will be riding on the A8, which is Audi's flagship luxury model. Boasting
a sporty new design, the new Audi A8 is due in 2011 and will
herald a range of new technologies for the Audi brand, including an
extensive upgrade of its MMI (multimedia interface) infotainment system. Like
the current range of A8 models, engines will include 6- and 8-cylinder
petrol and diesel engines, with the range-topping Audi S8 to be paired
with the Lamborghini-derived V10 powerplant. Related Links:
- Audi A1 Sportback Concept (2008)
- Audi A5 (Road Test)
- Audi TT Clubsport quattro (2008)
- Audi S3 (Road Test)
- Audi S4 (2009)
- Audi
RS 4 (Road Test)
- Audi S8 (Road Test)
- Audi R8 GT3 (2009)
- Audi RS6 Sedan (2009)
- Audi A6 (2009)
- Audi Vehicle Schedule Leak (2010)
- Audi A4 (2008)
- Audi TT Coupe (Road Test)
- Audi Q5 (2009)
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