LEAKED: Audi Sportback Concept appears ahead of snowy Detroit debut
Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi Sportback concept
Audi's hotly-anticipated A7 will bow in conceptual form at tomorrow's North American International Auto Show, and we have the first leaked images of the showcar, dubbed "Sportback." Details at this point remain slim, but as you can see from the photos, all of the major Audi design cues are in play, including a more nuanced version of the brand's horsecollar grille and LED eyelash headlamps.
The roofline of the "four-door coupe" is surprisingly fastback like, leading us to believe that the car could in fact be a full-blown hatchback. From the rear three-quarter view, the car actually has a certain Lamborghini Estoque quality to it, but that's mainly because of the taillamps and the angular exhaust outlets.
According to our source at Audi, the Sportback is in fact larger than the A6, and it is built on Audi's new modular longitudinal build kit (LBK), which is adjustable for length, width, and height depending on packaging needs. The same chassis setup will likely form the basis for future larger Audis, including the production version of the Sportback which is expected to be dubbed A7. We'll report back from opening day of the Detroit Auto Show tomorrow morning with more details and photos of the Sportback. so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out the high-res gallery below.
Gallery: Audi Sportback Concept
[Source: Fourtitude]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AC0 5:33PM (1/10/2009)
Hmm, this or BMW CS? It's a tough call...
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meshies 6:11PM (1/10/2009)
CS without question. This is pretty but the CS is out-of-this-world beautiful.
I cant wait to see the interior shots of this Sportback concept.
Mr. Luke 6:21PM (1/10/2009)
I'm pretty sure that this will turn out to be the A7/S7 RS7 lineup. Just like the LeMans was really the R8. See if I'm wrong!
Devin 6:20PM (1/10/2009)
Well, if money were no object, then neither. I'd go for the Rapide. But if money were an option, no question, BMW CS.
That is not to say that this is not a very attractive car. This is worlds ahead of the four-door anomaly that Porsche calls the Panamera.
Ligor 12:15PM (1/11/2009)
CS for sure
this has the sideprofile of the Acura TL mixed with some infiniti
definitely not an Audi
P.V. 5:37PM (1/10/2009)
It looks a lot like the Concept CS and the Estoque, both of which look quite nice. I really like this, and I like the idea of a large luxury hatchback (at least it will have some everyday practicality to it).
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P.V. 5:42PM (1/10/2009)
Also, is this the same vehicle that looked like it came straight out of an Enterprise Rent-A-Car commercial?
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/13/spy-shots-audis-important-a7/
bc 7:22PM (1/10/2009)
Ah, 40 years ago: Jensen Interceptor. 30 years ago: Rover 3500. 20 years ago: Sterling 825. It would be nice, but I doubt this is really a liftback; the decklid appears cut similarly to the Volkswagen CC's.
firstplace 5:44PM (1/10/2009)
pure sex.
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Yaroukh 6:02PM (1/10/2009)
butt involved, nothing for me
Jason 5:56PM (1/10/2009)
Now it looks like everyone can do a 'four-door coupé' except Porsche. Awesome job, Audi.
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George Dunhill 5:59PM (1/10/2009)
Awesome.
georgedunhill.com
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Yaroukh 6:03PM (1/10/2009)
fugly
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Mobius_1 6:13PM (1/10/2009)
Styling is a little over the top, and too aggressive. Too few cars nowadays have that graceful design language that can also make a car look good, without evil, squinting eyes and bold muscular creases. I'd prefer an A8 if I were looking for a luxo-barge, to be honest, since it's more discreet and that to me is an important trait.
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Quattroporte 6:16PM (1/10/2009)
I take it back, the new E-Class is ugly.
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casey 6:59PM (1/10/2009)
i think the idea of a large hatch if great. the only detail i don't like on this audi is the rising beltline behind the rear side doors-the third window shape. it's more of a Hoffmeister Kink than audi needs. i think a more pure audi-like rear side window would make this car look perfect.
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number1carman 6:33PM (1/10/2009)
I absolutely love it! I don't really care for the headlights, a little too aggressive for the rest of the car. The wheels could be an inch smaller maybe. There's also something about the doorhandles I don't like, can't put my finger on it though. I see a bit of Jaguar in the rear, but that's certainly not a complaint. I expect a lot from Audi as far as styling, and this certainly doesn't disappoint!
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Red 6:40PM (1/10/2009)
I'm going to get flamed for this, but I actually think I prefer this to the Estoque (which you can clearly see in this concept). I love the Estoque's profile, but I prefer this one's front-quarter and rear quarter views. I wouldn't be ashamed at all driving either though. :-)
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Mr_Pie 7:07PM (1/10/2009)
i thought i seen this somewhere else, and i found it:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/11/mitsubishi-releases-more-concept-zt-pics/
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/25/tokyo-motor-show-mitsubishi-previews-next-galant-in-the-concept/
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big j 8:39PM (1/10/2009)
too bad the audi fan boys will never admit it.