Autoblog

Click to view the Audi Q7 V12 TDI Coastline in hi-res

The Audi Q7 Coastline is not the first attempt at infusing an automobile with a nautical theme, but it very well might be the most exquisite execution we've seen to date. Forget about automotive mishaps like the Mercury Villager Nautica edition and the Plymouth Breeze, this concept rivals even the teak-decked Rolls-Royce Phantom DropHead Coupe for dockside prowess. In fact, a Maserati convertible parked at a Monte Carlo marina would be jealous. This writer, meanwhile, would be hard-pressed to upstage Alex Nunez's poetic waxing for maritime prose in his preview post, but the pearl white sport-ute makes me feel like picking up the clear-coat polish and teak oil just the same.

As you can see in our gallery of high-resolution images, Audi set up an exceptionally photogenic dedicated showroom off the Geneva show floor to showcase the 500hp V12 TDI that would be right at home in a motoryacht's engine room.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A4 Avant.

Wagonistas, your chariot has arrived. After showing off the new-for-2009 A4 in Frankfurt, Audi has finally released the details about for its A4 Avant prior to its debut in Geneva next month.

The estate version of the A4 is nearly identical to the sedan from the B-pillar forward, but now features 50-cubic feet of cargo capacity out back. An optional power liftgate is available and the load floor is reversible if you happen to be toting a set of used wheels in the trunk and the mat is coated in brake dust. Overall, the Avant gains about five inches in length, but is almost ten-percent lighter than the outgoing model.

Although powerplant details are scarce, those of us in the States will be stuck with the 2.0-liter TFSI mill, while sedan buyers get a choice of either the four-cylinder or the 3.2-liter V6.

We'll have more from the show floor next month, but in the meantime, check the gallery below for a handful of high-res shots and make the jump for Audi's press release.