Concept Audi Prologue Concept

[Betty Swollocks]

Great post @Giannis. Just what this forum needs. Quality content and actual discussion.

 

[rollo]

Love the interior. Surprised that Audi would make their flagship model a coupe only proposition. Maybe VAG was concerned about a 4 door "coupe" competing too much with the next generation Panamera or A8?

 

[tristatez28lt1]

The car looks stunning in person is all I have to say. Complete winner. Wow.

 

[Gianclaudio]

The rear end is also very fresh for Audi, but I am not a fan of how the rear glass treatment ended up. Citroen tried something similar with the latest C5 and the C6, before that, and I always found it odd.

Ha! I too notice the rear glass in the C5/C6 fashion, but I'm not able to tell from pictures if is concave or not..... (Also the steering wheel looks a bit like the C5's)

Absolutely love this Audi concept: the evolution of the grill becoming wider and less tall, the usual Audi slim headlights, nice profile, great rims. Don't like the rear end, the long lights look korean/japanese as Rolf mentions.
The interior is fantastic, simple, clean, minimalist in a very german way. Love how there are not buttons all over the place on the door's panels.

Although German car design is not the leading one anymore. I can see some French (Citroen & Reanult), Japanese (Mazda) and Koreans (KIA & Hyundai) on fire lately.

I strongly, emphatically and even violently, disagree
German car design is the leading one, is what Kia, Hyundai Mazda and all are copying, in fact. The flame surfacing, the headlights details and DRLs, the pseudo Hoffmeister kink, the A7 coupé-inspired greenhouse, homaged on Mazda 6 of Ford Fusion/Mondeo, the A1/A3 interior influences on all new Mazdas, etc, etc.

I found Hyundai design terrible, I like Mazda and Kia, but don't think they are taking any lead...Renault is back at doing nice cars, but again, don't see leading any trend (Le Quement cars were much more unique) and perhaps Citroën out of your list is the most original with the last Picasso and Cactus, but I don't think they will be influential on other cars (just like Le Quement cars weren't copied), I think they will remaing in the very "french" category.

 

[lukeswiss]

I was just thinking, is this actually coming ? Or is it just a way of getting feedback for the next generation A8 ?

 

[SDNR]

Consumer driven design ... Design is always consumer driven, isn't it? Always has been and always will be.

Hmm, we'll certainly today products are consumer/market driven, but design, at least as we understand it today, is an invention of of the Modern Movement. Modernism started out (a century ago in Germany, Russia, and France) as a strongly Socialist movement .....with idealistic beliefs about design serving humanity's needs.

Intellectual & philosophical design ... I usually struggle to understand why mostly (or only) clean, sterile, minimalistic, symmetrical etc design is considered to be intellectual. Sure it's purest, most theoretical, most abstract: being closest to pure geometry. Without redundant decoration. But it's that it? It's the purest form really the most intellectual? So , something that features more redundant decoration, more emotion, more flair ... Does that lack intellect(ual factor)? Is intellect really on a component of rationality? Or it can feature emotional part as well?

Sure sterile, clean, minimalistic, symmetrical etc design is the most "technically correct" one. But I'm not sure it's also the most intellectual or having higher philosophical ground. It's not like those who like (or exercise) more gaudy design are intellectually inferior to those who prefer (or exercise) more clean design.

I completely agree with you.

Interesting points Tine.

 

[Merc1]

Are we really looking at a S Coupe competitor or the language for the next A5/S5?

M

 

[SDNR]

Are we really looking at a S Coupe competitor or the language for the next A5/S5?

M

It's hard to say isn't it ........either way I like it a lot.

 

[Giannis]

Great post @Giannis. Just what this forum needs. Quality content and actual discussion.

So what do you think about the front passenger screen? Do you prefer Audi's integrated in the trim, or BMW's separate free standing screen approach?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

So what do you think about the front passenger screen? Do you prefer Audi's integrated in the trim, or BMW's separate free standing screen approach?

I think I prefer the free standing screen at the top of the dash. I don't want to have to look down when I'm driving, which you would have to on this A9 Concept. The nav in the instrument binnacle though is a stroke of genius.

 

[Rainer271]

I think I prefer the free standing screen at the top of the dash. I don't want to have to look down when I'm driving, which you would have to on this A9 Concept. The nav in the instrument binnacle though is a stroke of genius.

Giannis referred his question to the passenger screen and not to drivers screen. If I misunderstood Giannis or your posting then "sorry".

 

[klier]

Giannis referred his question to the passenger screen and not to drivers screen. If I misunderstood Giannis or your posting then "sorry".

You better be sorry or hire a lawyer!

Anyways, nav in the intrument cluster has been around for a good 10 years, or am I missing something?

 

[SDNR]

Ha! I too notice the rear glass in the C5/C6 fashion, but I'm not able to tell from pictures if is concave or not..... (Also the steering wheel looks a bit like the C5's)

Absolutely love this Audi concept: the evolution of the grill becoming wider and less tall, the usual Audi slim headlights, nice profile, great rims. Don't like the rear end, the long lights look korean/japanese as Rolf mentions.
The interior is fantastic, simple, clean, minimalist in a very german way. Love how there are not buttons all over the place on the door's panels.



I strongly, emphatically and even violently, disagree
German car design is the leading one, is what Kia, Hyundai Mazda and all are copying, in fact. The flame surfacing, the headlights details and DRLs, the pseudo Hoffmeister kink, the A7 coupé-inspired greenhouse, homaged on Mazda 6 of Ford Fusion/Mondeo, the A1/A3 interior influences on all new Mazdas, etc, etc.

I found Hyundai design terrible

Interesting you don't like Hyundai.

Hyundai's head of design is German, Peter Schreyer, who previously worked for VW/Audi

 

[Giannis]

I strongly, emphatically and even violently, disagree
German car design is the leading one, is what Kia, Hyundai Mazda and all are copying, in fact. The flame surfacing, the headlights details and DRLs, the pseudo Hoffmeister kink, the A7 coupé-inspired greenhouse, homaged on Mazda 6 of Ford Fusion/Mondeo, the A1/A3 interior influences on all new Mazdas, etc, etc.

I found Hyundai design terrible, I like Mazda and Kia, but don't them taking any lead...Renault is back at doing nice cars, but again, don't see leading any trend (Le Quement cars were much more unique) and perhaps Citroën out of your list is the most original with the last Picasso and Cactus, but I don't think they will be influential on other cars (just like Le Quement cars weren't copied), I think they will remaing in the very "french" category.

And I strongly disagree with you.

With the exception of MB's new generation of organic curves design, the rest of the german design is a simple evolution of the existing designs. After Bangle's flame surfacing we haven't seen anything new from Munich, other than a slightly different shape of the angel eyes. The biggest design news for Audi since the debut of the B6 A4 is the fact that they finally made a coupe (A5). VW, well, I have no words for their design department, if it can be called a department, and not just a dude with a photocopier.

I'm obviously sounding a lot like klier ( ), but that's only to signify the fact that we have had very little design revolution from Germany the last 10 years.

The rest, on the other hand, have thrived. Hyundai's latest models have gotten rid of the "cheap econobox" design and matured a bit. Kia is on a roll with fresh designs, constantly since the debut of the Cee'd. Citroen has gone bananas lately with the DS sub-brand and Peugeot is back on track as an affordable alternative brand. Renault is still looking for an identity, and is currently sticking huge Renault badges in every car in its line-up, but hopefully they will get over it. Mazda is doing just great. I can find absolutely no flaw in all their latest designs. They are too good for what they sell for.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am perfectly fine with Germany's current simple, elegant and sharp designs. They are closer to my taste than most other brands. But, on the other hand, I can't forget how I was feeling about BMW when Bangle started experimenting with flame surfacing. These were brilliant times to be a german car fans and I feel nostalgic.

I think I prefer the free standing screen at the top of the dash. I don't want to have to look down when I'm driving, which you would have to on this A9 Concept.

Ι was talking about the front passenger screen. If you notice, part of the trim in front of the passenger serves as a screen. At the same time, BMW's VFL concept also has a screen for the front passenger, yet is not integrated in some part of the dashboard. It's a independent screen. I'm asking which approach you prefer.

The nav in the instrument binnacle though is a stroke of genius.

It is simply brilliant, indeed!

Giannis referred his question to the passenger screen and not to drivers screen. If I misunderstood Giannis or your posting then "sorry".

Yeap, I was asking about the passenger screen.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Ι was talking about the front passenger screen. If you notice, part of the trim in front of the passenger serves as a screen. At the same time, BMW's VFL concept also has a screen for the front passenger, yet is not integrated in some part of the dashboard. It's a independent screen. I'm asking which approach you prefer.

Ah yes, silly me. Well, in this case I think I prefer the Audi look.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Interesting you don't like Hyundai.

Hyundai's head of design is German, Peter Schreyer, who previously worked for VW/Audi

Yes, I know. But unlike Kia which have a certain identity (except the Quoris which is a blatant copy of a Bimmer and the facelift of the Cadenza, which does the same at the front) Hyundai is a miss match of recycled design cues: the new i10 is a Clio viewed from profile and a amalgam of Polo and Zoe from behind, new i20 front is inspired by Peugeot 208, i30 has Giulietta's rear and last Mazda 3 profile, last Genesis was a Mercedes S class, new one is a mix of pre FL Peugeot 508 and 5 series, the Veloster profile and rear is a shameful copy of the Megane Coupe, Accent has a 1er inspired rear, and I can continue forever. In top of that, the headlights and grill (Audi inspired, too) combination looks like a bulldog taking its head out of a car's window at speed.... bulbous headlights and melted grill.
The one and only Hyundai I like is the new Santa Fe, and still have many Audi and Bmw inspired cues all over.

 

[EnI]

Are we really looking at a S Coupe competitor or the language for the next A5/S5?M

Do you really think there will be / is difference?

So ... both.

 

[Gianclaudio]

And I strongly disagree with you.

With the exception of MB's new generation of organic curves design, the rest of the german design is a simple evolution of the existing designs. After Bangle's flame surfacing we haven't seen anything new from Munich, other than a slightly different shape of the angel eyes. The biggest design news for Audi since the debut of the B6 A4 is the fact that they finally made a coupe (A5). VW, well, I have no words for their design department, if it can be called a department, and not just a dude with a photocopier.

I'm obviously sounding a lot like klier ( ), but that's only to signify the fact that we have had very little design revolution from Germany the last 10 years.

The rest, on the other hand, have thrived. Hyundai's latest models have gotten rid of the "cheap econobox" design and matured a bit. Kia is on a roll with fresh designs, constantly since the debut of the Cee'd. Citroen has gone bananas lately with the DS sub-brand and Peugeot is back on track as an affordable alternative brand. Renault is still looking for an identity, and is currently sticking huge Renault badges in every car in its line-up, but hopefully they will get over it. Mazda is doing just great. I can find absolutely no flaw in all their latest designs. They are too good for what they sell for.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am perfectly fine with Germany's current simple, elegant and sharp designs. They are closer to my taste than most other brands. But, on the other hand, I can't forget how I was feeling about BMW when Bangle started experimenting with flame surfacing. These were brilliant times to be a german car fans and I feel nostalgic.

But that's the Germans take on design: careful honing, evolution. That's why they tend to age better than others brands.
I get your point Giannis, but mine was about how still the Germans brands are the trend setting and everyone follows. We can call Audi dull, but a shipload of manufacturers have taken the big grill as inspiration or the complex led drl (which I hate), same history with BMW and the Hoffmeister kink, present on about every attempt in the D segment car, the headlight's eyebrow, the "lava" rear lights, etc.

Now, we can debate if is the design attributes per sè, what makes the rest to copy Germans cars, or they social stratus position /image, the cachet of the brand, the rich history...

I ever wondered if for example Le Quement's more radical designs would had the same fate if they were attached a more prestigious emblem on the hood rather than Renault, given the success Bangle bimmers had....

Food for the thought

 

[martinbo]

As sharp as the lines may be and as much relief as the surfacing may have, I can't get over the fact that the frontal DRG is generic. I have to be honest, you could slap a blue oval on that grill and you've got a Ford that portrays nothing to suggest that someone plagiarised Audi's design foundation. No doubt there is distinct reference to existing Audi design cues (you can't miss the Da Silva-drawn inspiration) and there'll be no mistaking it for anything other than an Audi; it's just that there's nothing either to set it apart as an Audi.

The side surfacing has great depth combined with the sharp flourishes so characteristic of the current Audi design idiom. I find the rear styling to be slightly incongruous with the rest of the car but this seems to be trend all round of late. It is a good looking design but, in my humble opinion, not a particularly brand-defining one.

The interior, on the other hand, is faultless. It's clean, simple and elegant yet futuristic, beguiling and inviting all at once. Man oh man, Audi is on such an interior design roll of late.

 

[Will]

It's a handsome car.. i can say that right

no really, i think this is best i've seen from Audi in the past 2-3 years.