Spy Shots: More LA-based pics of the mystery psychedelic-wrap Audi
by Jonny Lieberman on Nov 12th 2009 at 4:58PM 
Mystery Audi - Click above for high-res image gallery
"Whatever it may be, I like it!" So says Autoblog commenter P.V. concerning a mysterious series of camoflaged Audis that have been popping up all over the place (this one was caught again in Southern California). We tend to agree. In fact, we feel this way about most new Audis -- especially since Walter de'Silva took over the design reins. While it may not be beautiful, there's no denying the R8's curb appeal. Subtler, but far sexier, are the understated lines of the A5/S5 -- no small feat to pull off with a three-box coupe. And while the Q7 looks like some sort of prehistoric giant sloth (hey -- even Hank Aaron had his off at bats), we're still with P.V. 100%.
So, is this the new A8? Hard to say. The C-pillar fits the part but the rear glass really is radically sloped. And that trippy tape job really does mask the mule's size. Could it be the new A6? Again, yes, sure, but... There's almost something too daring about the shape to be such a meat and/or potatoes ride. How about this -- it might be the long-rumored A7. You know, the swoopy "four-door coupe" set to compete against cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS. That makes much more sense. Take a long look at the rear glass and thick C-pillars in this spy shot. We thinks we may be on to something. Especially if you stare long and hard at the tail lights -- the outer ones appear real and taped off, while the inner lights appear to be fake pieces of reflective tape. A design that conforms to the blurry A7 shots we've seen. Hmmm... Thanks to Chris for the pics!
Gallery: Mystery So Cal Audi
[Source: Black Not Black]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
zamafir 5:01PM (11/12/2009)
yeah, my guess is the a7 as well. i'll keep an eye out in sd in the event audi's doing another photo shoot :)
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Need More Lutz For GM 5:13PM (11/12/2009)
Very well could be the A7, but the A8 also has pretty "radically sloped" rear window as well so it could be the A8 as well. I think the current gen A8 has a drag coefficient of .27? They're sweet cars
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John H. 5:49PM (11/12/2009)
All cars are going to fastback rear glass for aero drag-reduction purposes, so that won't be differentiating the A7 from the A8.
Plus all cars re downsizing to shed weight for fuel economy.
I'm going to guess A8
P.V. 5:34PM (11/12/2009)
I like what I'm seeing out back!
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BoxerFanatic 5:39PM (11/12/2009)
"While it may not be beautiful, there's no denying the R8's curb appeal. Subtler, but far sexier, are the understated lines of the A5/S5 -- no small feat to pull off with a three-box coupe."
Are you kidding me? R8 is flippin' gorgeous, like a land-bound fighter jet. The A5/S5 is not as sleek, nor as sexy, although not bad in itself, it is still a bit blocky.
A6 has long had a sloping, stream-lined greenhouse shape. But an A8 wouldn't necessarily do badly with it, either, and could be going after the new Jag XJ, which is also quite streamlined in profile.
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John H. 5:56PM (11/12/2009)
You know that the A5 coupe is spec-wise nearly the same as a SVX, right?
- same class engine driving the same number of wheels
- same number of doors with same access to same number of seats
The difference is that the A5 is bigger and uglier, with a much higher cg...
BoxerFanatic 12:06AM (11/13/2009)
Yeah, and the A5 is a fine car. Nowhere near as sleek as an SVX due to the taller engine, and stupid pedestrian standards that make most new cars of all brands look about as sleek as brick, but a fine car. I would consider owning one.
But the R8 is SOOO much more drool-worthy. Not only am I a boxer fanatic, I LOVE mid-engined cars, the sleeker the better.
Rev 12:13AM (11/13/2009)
Meh, the A5 is useless and is as ugly as every other Audi in person.
Looks like an old Accord coupe and it's way too big. Like some sort of boring knock-off of an A4 without the extra doors. I'll never understand why it exists. At least these things look less ugly with the camo on...
Chubaka 4:28AM (11/13/2009)
@Rev
How is the A5 useless? I'll understand if you don't like it or don't appreciate how Audi has focused this car, but useless? I should admit that I'm quite taken with the A5 (actually the S5), but even if I wasn't I wouldn't call it useless. It follows Audi's current design language very well. Sure, it's not a track monster, it probably doesn't shed as much weight as it could, and some might not enjoy the comparatively calm and laminar lines on the body, but I think that's what differentiates this car from other coupes in this category. Not everyone can afford an R8, and not everyone wants to drive an M3 as a daily driver. For people who want luxury and still have a touch of sportiness, this is an ideal choice. I have to say that the pictures don't really do it justice. A piano black S5 in person is a sight to behold. Not to mention the gorgeous exhaust note.
Rick 10:12AM (11/13/2009)
Anyone who says the A5 is ugly, tells me all I need to know about their opinion.
Louis 5:41PM (11/12/2009)
Too daring? Are you kidding me? It looks like every other damn Audis out there...
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smythe 6:12PM (11/12/2009)
"it looks like every other damn audi out there" yeah cause you can really compare this with other audi's seeing as you have no idea how this is going to turn out. really smart comment.
Louis 6:27PM (11/12/2009)
Watch the video from the link in the post.
robotrock 5:54PM (11/12/2009)
ack! it's missing a wheel spoke
iphone, no?
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T3hD0gg 5:57PM (11/12/2009)
"ack! it's missing a wheel spoke"
Ah, that's just one of the bugs they still have to iron out. :-P
PiCASSO 8:09PM (11/12/2009)
I though the same looking at that picture:
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/mystery-so-cal-audi/full/#2
Both the front and rear wheels appear to be distorted... like they were modified in Photoshop.
PGAero 2:07PM (11/13/2009)
That's the result of a slow vertical "shutter" motion in the camera. Although I don't know what kind of phone/camera was used, it's a common issue in certain circumstances.
The picture is captured in a top-to-bottom sweep of the photo-sensing material (in this case, the sensor in the camera). As the photo is captured, the wheel continues to move, so the lower spokes have rotated more than the upper spokes. You can see it in both wheels. It's kinda cool, and is responsible for some great photos over the years, even in the days of film.
~P
PGAero 2:15PM (11/13/2009)
It looks like the iPhone is a particularly bad photo-taker of fast-moving objects because, although it has no physical shutter, the sensor captures the image in a sweep that actually takes a fair bit of time, compared to the motion of the object being photographed.
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/01/13/photon-gating-makes.html
So, this is the new digital version of what Henri Lartigue made famous with his race car photo.
~Peter
Not THAT Matt 6:36PM (11/12/2009)
Is it just me, or does the drive'rs side rear rim look like it's missing a spoke? The random huge gap, and the hole in the rim make me wonder what... happened. :P
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LaserRed38 7:28PM (11/12/2009)
iPhone pics FTL... :(