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Rendered Speculation: Audi A7 four-door hard-top cabrio
The blokes at Car say they've got the scoop on the upcoming Audi A7, including a convertible version depicted in the rendering on the right. Power is rumored to start with six cylinders across the range, with a V10-powered S7 and a twin-turbo V10-motivated RS7. Expect a variety of transmissions to be on offer as well, including manuals, automatics and dual-clutch gearboxes with six or seven speeds, along with the availability of quattro all-wheel-drive.
Sources have suggested that, while Audi will be behind the game in bringing a four-door coupe in the Mercedes CLS mold to market in the first half of 2010, it's got another segment-busting trick up it's sleeve: a full four-door convertible. And according to Car's illustrators, the A7 cabrio will feature a full retractable hard-top. Many have toyed with the idea of a four-door convertible – most recently arch-rival Mercedes with the Ocean Drive concept from Detroit '07 – but Audi may be the ones to actually revive the long-lost segment. Parade detail, here we come.
[Source: Car]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2LS7? 8:07PM (8/28/2008)
I cannot comprehend how people would put up with the flappiness on the rear doors with a cut B pillar in a modern car.
Make the rear doors suicide doors, like the old 4-door Continental.
I'm a bit skeptical this car exists, but it would be rather cool if it did.
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Why Not the OM617? 4:28AM (8/29/2008)
I agree with you entirely on that. You couldn't even close the back doors in any way other than very gently or you'd end up torquing the b-pillar over time eventually jamming up the works. Unless it was one hell of a beefy pillar. I'll second you on the suicide doors. That would definitely put "old luxury on notice."
I'm a Benz guy, but Lord, if VAG made this happen with suicide doors, I'm all there.
Crackberry Addict 8:07PM (8/28/2008)
looks like its angry!
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Kumail891 8:20PM (8/28/2008)
shoot, that looks amazing. there i said it.
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Hike15 8:34PM (8/28/2008)
its about time...i think the market needs a convertible with a nice back seat and a hard top
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oZ 9:10AM (8/29/2008)
so, a sebring.
J M C 3 9:27AM (8/29/2008)
The Chrysler 300 would have lent itself perfectly to that application.IMO.
J M C 3 9:35AM (8/29/2008)
...Ideally I envisioned it built of a 300 hardtop coupe with rear hinged access doors and Rolls Royce Phantom inspired door handles traversing the seem between the two side doors.
That would have been A great hardtop convertable with ample rear passenger room.
A chip off the old Hyperion (except with a back seat and retractable hardtop).
SPG 8:45PM (8/28/2008)
I love it and I certainly want one.
However I can't see a four door convertible on the market. I can see somthing like the G6 four pane sunroof idea being expanded on.
Somthing like the roof and the back window folding down like on the early 80's Jaguar XJS's, but with panels and not fabric. That I can see, and have been waiting for ever since Buick used that concept on a show car in the 90's.
If not a convertible, I can't see myself going for this car, or a CLS for that matter.
It would seem that the regular sedans are more practical overall. Less sexy, but more practical.
Like the difference between the women you date and the women you marry (sexist joke fail).
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Franz 10:09PM (8/28/2008)
I think it'd be a great idea... whoever has the balls to put a 4 door drop top on the market first will likely clean up... well, that's my theory anyway. I still can't believe Chrysler never made the 300C 4 door convertible. The concept (ASC Helios) was gorgeous, and it worked just fine on the street too, according to Motor Trend.
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Dave Peterson 10:57PM (8/28/2008)
Audi is just insane these days!!! - and I love it! My perfect garage would have the R8 GT3, this A7 4 door convertible, and a Q7 V12 TDI
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Rimu 11:32PM (8/28/2008)
This is technically impossible. The rear door has nothing to hold on. If the car is composed like that, the rear doors should open in backward direction like on Civic 5D.
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why not the LS2LS7? 3:55AM (8/29/2008)
There's a B pillar that rises only to the level of the top of the door. The door is attached to the B pillar as normal.
However, with the top of the B pillar not affixed to anything, the pillars will flex when the door opens, creating some amount of flappiness and droop.
I'd be much smarter to make the rear doors open rearward (suicide doors).
Kezza 11:48PM (8/28/2008)
WANT! I know its all just speculation for now, but if they do manage a four door folding hardtop that would be incredible. Shame I'll never be able to afford one, but at least I can look on and drool!
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the vegas style guy 1:52PM (8/29/2008)
GO AUDI! GET BUSY! IT'S YOUR BURFHDAY!
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mek0295 4:21AM (9/06/2008)
l think a four door ragtop or a foldable hardtop would be great addition to the all the auto mfg's lineups. Why has it been offered before or at least recently.
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