Audi Confirms A5 Sportback and new A8 for 2009, Q5 Hybrid also in the Works

[PanterroR]

During his speech at Audi AG's annual shareholders meeting in Germany, Audi Chairman of the Board, Rupert Stadler, revealed that the automaker is planning to present the next-generation A8 in November and extend its range with the new A5 Sportback sometime in 2009. Furthermore, Stadler confirmed earlier reports that Ingolstadt based company is also working on a hybrid version of the Mercedes GLK rivaling Q5 SUV and that the A1 minicar is due for a 2010 market launch with the Q3 small SUV following in 2011.

This means that unless Audi has another surprise up its sleeves, the four-door coupe derivative of the A5 is most probably the new model that the maker said its preparing to unveil during the celebrative festivities for the firm's 100th anniversary in Germany on July 16.

The A5 Sportback is in essence the production version of the sleek-looking Sportback Concept that was first shown in Detroit in the beginning of the year. Expect to see a familiar Audi engine lineup, including the latest 2.0-liter TSI with 211HP, the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with 290HP and a 3.0-liter V6 diesel cranking out 240HP.

"The A4 has attracted the largest share of customers loyal to the Audi brand. And a great number of them want to move further upward while carving out their own unique identity," said Stadler.

"The A5 Sportback is precisely what they're looking for. This vehicle will pose a genuine innovation in the B segment: a revolutionary vehicle concept offering the ideal blend of functionality and aesthetics"

As for the brand new A8 sedan (see the spy shots here), Stadler said claimed that it will be the sportiest model in its segment and that it will redefine people's notions of a luxury car's interior.

"We will also be presenting the next-generation Audi A8 and rest assured, Ladies and Gentlemen, it's going to be a sensation. The A8 remains Audi's flagship: it embodies our understanding of the word "premium"," Stadler told Audi's shareholders.

"The A8 will be the sportiest luxury sedan in its class – and set new standards with regard to interiors. Its precision and build quality are second to none. This model naturally means a great deal to us, because it played a greater role than any other car in the rise of the Audi brand. And we will unveil it to the world in a remarkable fashion in late November."


Audi Confirms A5 Sportback and new A8 for 2009, Q5 Hybrid also in the Works

 

[NarutoRamen]

I'm not too happy about the A5 sportback.

 

[Sunny]

I didn't like it when it initially came out, but now I do. I guess the Panamera thingy reset my taste buds.

 

[NarutoRamen]

I didn't like it when it initially came out, but now I do. I guess the Panamera thingy reset my taste buds.

I'm confused...when did the A5 sportback come out?

 

[Sunny]

I'm confused...when did the A5 sportback come out?

The concept was unveiled at the Detroit show this year. That is the car in the pic in original post.

Audi Sportback Concept: 40 High-Res Photos of Detroit Show Sport Saloon

 

[Shining Star]

I thought it was the A7 Sportback...

 

[klier]

That IS the A7. Sunny is still is confused, since the A5 sportback has been caught with a spy camera already, but has never been unveiled to the press or public.

 

[Foxfire]

Exactly, klier is right.

 

[NarutoRamen]

The concept was unveiled at the Detroit show this year. That is the car in the pic in original post.

LOL, dude. You are confused. That is the A7 sportback like everyone else is saying.

 

[Sunny]

lol, oops. It is Audi, they all freaking look the same anyway.

 

[Shining Star]

It's true. Every audi has rectangular headlamps and rectangular taillamps. Soon, when every audi has LED lights, they will be impossible to tell apart. The new A8 will look like the A4 exactly.

 

[NarutoRamen]

lol, oops. It is Audi, they all freaking look the same anyway.

That is the sad truth. Most of the people can't tell most audi's apart. Hell, in some cases even I can't.

 

[Foxfire]

While that may be true in general, A7 Sportback concept looks quite different from A5 (or other Audis for that matter) and would be very difficult to picture the model displayed as an A5 of any variant. That and the dimensions (about 5m) really make me wonder why some of the sites report that the Sportback concept previews the A5 sportback.

 

[Centurion]

That and the dimensions (about 5m) really make me wonder why some of the sites report that the Sportback concept previews the A5 sportback.

That's because the Sportback concept does indeed depict the A5 Sportback. Name is same too. Both have identical sloping of the C-pillar with a near non existent rear deck. The interior layout of the concept is very mid range too and does give an A5/C/3-Series impression. An A7 coupe isn't even near on the horizon. Audi's next new car launches is the A1 and Q3. Also the space between the A5 sportback and Panamera will be incredibly narrow, making me question where the car would fit in on the VAG ladder of four door coupes. Maybe it will be a two door coupe serving the same segment as the 6-Series??

 

[NarutoRamen]

While that may be true in general, A7 Sportback concept looks quite different from A5 (or other Audis for that matter) and would be very difficult to picture the model displayed as an A5 of any variant. That and the dimensions (about 5m) really make me wonder why some of the sites report that the Sportback concept previews the A5 sportback.

I'm talking about the current design. Of course, they have tried to differentiate this concept from current cars, but all the future cars will follow the same exact design language, once again colluding it all.

 

[Foxfire]

That's because the Sportback concept does indeed depict the A5 Sportback. Name is same too. Both have identical sloping of the C-pillar with a near non existent rear deck. The interior layout of the concept is very mid range too and does give an A5/C/3-Series impression. An A7 coupe isn't even near on the horizon. Audi's next new car launches is the A1 and Q3. Also the space between the A5 sportback and Panamera will be incredibly narrow, making me question where the car would fit in on the VAG ladder of four door coupes. Maybe it will be a two door coupe serving the same segment as the 6-Series??

Umm, so by that reasoning 5 series touring depicts 3 series touring because the name is the same? And because they have very similar back slope? By that reasoning you just outlined every car from any manufacturer in a certain category would be the same (all wagons and all sedans between themselves).

The interior layout of the concept is very mid range too and does give an A5/C/3-Series impression.

You're kidding, right? The Sportback concept had an interior that was at least a class above the A5/C/3 series. Except for the dash around the MMI, it had a yacht like interior.

An A7 coupe isn't even near on the horizon. Audi's next new car launches is the A1 and Q3.

Q3 is more than a year away and A7 will probably be introduced in that timeframe (or shortly thereafter).

Also the space between the A5 sportback and Panamera will be incredibly narrow, making me question where the car would fit in on the VAG ladder of four door coupes. Maybe it will be a two door coupe serving the same segment as the 6-Series??

So on one hand you think the Sportback concept depicts A5 Sportback, with 3 series / C class style interior, but on the other you think it will compete with the Panamera? Following that line of thought, 3 series and C class are incredibly close to the Panamera.

By all accounts A5 Sportback will be around 4.7m in length, priced closely to the A5 cabriolet (40.000-60.000 Euros in Germany), itself just a bit pricier than the coupe version.
Panamera is just shy of 5m in length and commands an entry level price of 95.000 Euros.
So an entry level Panamera is almost 2 and a half times as expensive as an entry level A5 cabrio.

A7 Sportback, on the other hand, will be around 5 m in lenght, have a higher end interior to come close to or match Panamera and will be priced much closer to it. But they will make sure that pricewise and imagewise at least, A7 is just bellow Panamera.

 

[klier]

Well....I have to say I agree with Foxfire's points here....Well said. Especially the interior of the A7, that was on the same level as the 5er GT (meaning very high, way above current 3er)

 

[Centurion]

Umm, so by that reasoning 5 series touring depicts 3 series touring because the name is the same? And because they have very similar back slope? By that reasoning you just outlined every car from any manufacturer in a certain category would be the same (all wagons and all sedans between themselves).



You're kidding, right? The Sportback concept had an interior that was at least a class above the A5/C/3 series. Except for the dash around the MMI, it had a yacht like interior.



Q3 is more than a year away and A7 will probably be introduced in that timeframe (or shortly thereafter).



So on one hand you think the Sportback concept depicts A5 Sportback, with 3 series / C class style interior, but on the other you think it will compete with the Panamera? Following that line of thought, 3 series and C class are incredibly close to the Panamera.

By all accounts A5 Sportback will be around 4.7m in length, priced closely to the A5 cabriolet (40.000-60.000 Euros in Germany), itself just a bit pricier than the coupe version.
Panamera is just shy of 5m in length and commands an entry level price of 95.000 Euros.
So an entry level Panamera is almost 2 and a half times as expensive as an entry level A5 cabrio.

A7 Sportback, on the other hand, will be around 5 m in lenght, have a higher end interior to come close to or match Panamera and will be priced much closer to it. But they will make sure that pricewise and imagewise at least, A7 is just bellow Panamera.

Nowhere in my post did I claim that the A5 sportback and Panamera are rivals. So let's not put words in each others mouths please. VAG are very strategic and no car across all brands clash with another one.

As a whole the Sportback concept does preview the essence of the A5 sportback. It's no coincidence that Audi presented the concept before the A5 Sportback went into FEP mode and shortly there after, Audi publically stated that a new A5 variant is around the corner. But the details such as the grille, head lights, contours and the rest are clearly reserved for the future.

With previous Audi concept like the Avantissmo(Audi A8), Audi A1(coming next year) Audi Le Mans(Audi R8) and Shooting Brake(Audi TT), their production derivatives have hit the market 2-3 years later. So I wouldn't count on an A7 any time soon unless Audi break the trend we've seen for the recent 8 years which is unlikely given the multitude of projects they and the rest of VAG have got going on. Especially when The A5 sportback and Panamera have just been released. So you can forget about an A7 four door coupe coming out in the next 18 months.

 

[Foxfire]

Nowhere in my post did I claim that the A5 sportback and Panamera are rivals. So let's not put words in each others mouths please.

I'm sorry, but I thought it implicit from this statement:

Also the space between the A5 sportback and Panamera will be incredibly narrow, making me question where the car would fit in on the VAG ladder of four door coupes.

I suppose you are right that the Sportback concept previews the A5 Sportback in the sense that it is an Audi and will have a 5-door coupe silhouette.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

The new A8 will look like the A4 exactly.

Now that would be some horrible auto news right there.