Concept Audi Prologue Concept

[SKY]

I had really high expectations about this car. To be honest, I am underwhelmed. The proportions and the shape of the boot are just a hommage (to be polite) to the S-Coupe. The lines on the profile are fantastic, and the front looks sharp and cool. But that´s it, to be honest. The boot is sooooo boring, with that link between the lights. The front while great looking is not enough step forward IMO. And the interior, while really clean, is really far from being my cup of tea.

This car perfectly serves as an example of the problems Audi faces with their design. The brand can´t simply move forward. They just dance around the same ideas always. Same shapes for the lights, same grille, same profile lines...

They are just Germany´s third brand (leaving Porsche aside). They can´t scale in the rank IMO.

 

[SCOTT27]

Its interesting because at BMW there is an updated concept idea of a previous concept that updates the appearance to relevant BMW design language. Think if it had made production , the second generation this would initially be.
And because of the update to the overall appearance, the front end is very reminiscent of this Audi concept especially with the updated sharper language imminent , add L shaped headlights and you get something very familiar indeed.

 

[Wolfgang]

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[SKY]

@SCOTT27 I will believe it when I see it. BMW better be careful with this one. At that level, fugly front bumpers with random pieces of fake chrome, pointless link between frontlights and kidneys, etc might not be as accepted as with the lower end models.

 

[Busty]

Now my two cents : I already said some weeks ago that I was somehow disappointed by how this concept shaped up and I'm surprised how positive the reaction to it is. Of course, it is well made and it's pretty nice. But I do not see a major step forward and even less of an impulse. The undeniable similarity with the S coupe in many details is not its problem imo. Rather it's the lack of fundamentally new ideas, both in style and technology. The sculpturing of the wings has been shown before in Audi concept cars, the proportions more or less as well. The grille has changed its proportions but that is not enough to proclaim a new era. The rims are big and nice but they are not artful or refined in any way. The only detail that illustrates what might have been is the C-pillar. The chrome frame retraces the classic Audi side window outline with the little 'third' window being exchanged for an aluminum surface .... this I find extremely exciting.
The interior is cool, of course, but I do not see how to make a good series production dash out of it. The top is very flat - as often in Audis - which is beautiful but makes it nearly impossible to integrate a HUD etc. The displays all sit much too low in the dash, the displays show no innovation to me. To integrate a lot of necessary information in the driver's display may be acceptable for the TT but not in a everyday long-distance traveling car. Research has shown repeatedly that the tachometer behind the steering wheel is a suboptimal position, at least for complex information. Also, putting screens into the dash in a form like the Epilogue does is problematic: it takes a lot of space, it is hard to ventilate, and it's expensive to facelift. In sum, I do not see 'robust' innovation there ...

I also thought about if and how to compare it to the VFL. Similar segment, similar intent. I did not like the ridiculously big kidneys and the back of the BMW but overall, this concept was much more courageous and refined imo. The Audi does not take a risk and this may be its biggest problem.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

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.

Finally. I was reading through all the gushing praise for this vehicle and I was lucky to find your post Martin. It nails my feelings towards this car precisely.

Furthermore, we know Audi has a distinct knack for toning down production models a couple of degrees too far, so I have less hope that this concept will translate into a truly stunning and brand defining vehicle. The production R8 is far more iconic and uniquely Audi.

 

[SCOTT27]

The big issue which needs to addressed is the problem of overlap.
Such a concept if derived in Coupe or Sportback will internally compete with a forthcoming Bentley 5dr and of course the next Panamera.

 

[SCOTT27]

@SCOTT27 I will believe it when I see it. BMW better be careful with this one. At that level, fugly front bumpers with random pieces of fake chrome, pointless link between frontlights and kidneys, etc might not be as accepted as with the lower end models.

You have to remember that the CS is now over seven years old. So the detailing in the design is current but not for the future. The Vision future Luxury showcase the future of BMW design think of it as a CS For this generation of coming BMWs and a template to show the next design strategy. There is still a business plan for such a vehicle derived from VFL that keeps the essence and the outline of the CS but updates dramatically in both a coupe and four door. In light of the S-Klasse Coupe, BMW wants an 8er.
We have now reached the point where a conventional Coupe must be considered with extra practicality. As it has become extremely popular to the customer and virtually cost effective to develop and profitable in the long run.
This and the Sport Activity Coupe.

Back to this concept and you can see some CS ideas in the front of the car. But as I said the ideas from the CS have been evolved. But in Audi design language is there any real carryover points like BMW that the language of L shaped taillights , quad front lights , hofmeister etc... To embody a timeless character that is recognisable as an Audi - remember the modern single grille was launched on the 2004 A6.

 

[Mars1965]

Pretty much every thing I wanted to say about the design is said before. I like certain details. The front is agressive and brings the possibillity to deferentiate new models with the grill (wider, less wide, less high etc.) The C-pillar is very nice designed as well.

The interior is not my taste. To plain, minimalistic and with ergonimic failures ans described before.

After Bangle's flame surfacing we haven't seen anything new from Munich, other than a slightly different shape of the angel eyes.

I think i3 and especialy i8 were fresh designs. I have seen some very nice concepts as well after the Bangle area.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

So I figure I let this marinate a bit before saying anything...where to begin....

It's a good, cohesive design overall. I, among a number of folks, were expecting something revolutionary, but instead we got a thoroughly evolved design. Initially, I was disappointed, but honestly, what else can you do with the large 2-door format? We already have the fastback with the A7 so this seems like the way to go about it. From the side from the front bumper to the "B"-pillar, it is thoroughly evolved Audi, except it has been to the gym...it looks leaner but not overly muscular. From the "B"-pillar aft (B in quotation as there's really no B-pillar), it reminds me of the S Coupe, but one of my favorite elements is the C-pillar. From the front, it's again a throrough evolved Audi fascia. Curiously, the rear is very Scandanavian. I can't help but think of the last-gen Saab 9-5. Amusingly enough, the minimalist Scandanavian feel carries over into the interior. It's very light and airy, however, I do wish there was a little contrast by making the elmwood a bit darker stained. As it is now, it's very homogenous. I like how the various screens are situated and integrated. And it looks to have moved on from the current knob-based MMI interface if I am not mistaken.

Now lookng at this design in a vacuum, it's a good, solid design as aforementioned. But how will this be translated over Audi's entire line-up? How much difference will there be between model lines? As an enthusiast, that's my main criticism of Audis as of late. From what I've read on here, it looks as there's going to be design differentiaton between the cars and SUVs. If that is correct, then it's a step in the right direction for them.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Here's some real-life pics from this article...



From these particular pics, couple things stick out that I'd like to correct in my previous post

From the press pics, some of the hue looked different to me
1) The upper dash is a darker leather, which does a good deal of breaking up the monotony of the sandy leather
2) The lower wood trim is indeed darker, bringing additional colors and textures

 

[JHF]

 

[GTA45E]

All those rumors about Audi switching to rear drive platform for future models. The large overhang in this concept suggest otherwise.

 

[JHF]

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[Deleted member 25]

Not impressed one bit with this. Nearly zero progression from the present design language, rear lights that are more suited to a seat than an Audi. Seen from the profile, the long front overhang destorys completely the harmony of the bonnet line with the A-pillar/windshield line. And the interior, frankly it's 70% conceptish interior with very little conclusion to draw about the real production design lines and flow. Oh and that C pilar chrome is totally tacky and unecessary. Very dissapointed.

 

[JHF]

What, by the CarAndDriver (rumor) - "A production version may be called the A10".

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/audi-prologue-concept-photos-and-info-news

 

[Merc1]

It still has those goofy FWD proportions and until Audi gets rid of that or FWD all together, they will be behind to my eyes.

M

 

[SDNR]

Very dissapointed.

Grumpy.

Its interesting because at BMW there is an updated concept idea of a previous concept that updates the appearance to relevant BMW design language. Think if it had made production , the second generation this would initially be.
And because of the update to the overall appearance, the front end is very reminiscent of this Audi concept especially with the updated sharper language imminent , add L shaped headlights and you get something very familiar indeed.

Yes, I certainly have noted some styling similarities to BMW.

It still has those goofy FWD proportions and until Audi gets rid of that or FWD all together, they will be behind to my eyes.

M

You're a hard man to please sometimes

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

if only they switched over the MSB platform...

 

[SDNR]

All those rumors about Audi switching to rear drive platform for future models. The large overhang in this concept suggest otherwise.

However, it's not any more prominent than the overhang on the S class Coupé