A7/S7/RS7 New Audi A7 Thread (Spy pics & info)

[darkop]

I thought it was a common knowledge to everyone that A7 is the Sportback Concept with altered bumpers and 10mm more height due to the regulations... Does this need to be more obvious?!!

http://www.insideline.com/audi/a7/2011/2011-audi-a7-sportback-concept-first-drive.html

 

[andyvalencia]

Made a chop based on the latest spy pics. the camo is hiding this cars potential. I also dislike the new A8 but this car has plenty of potential!

Guys im pretty sure its gonna look like the chop i made. Had some insider info from a member at fourtitude.... he had seen the production version and said it holds the same line as the sportback concept with a modified front facia and rear end resembling the current audi line and big brother (A8)

 

[SKY]

Guys im pretty sure its gonna look like the chop i made. Had some insider info from a member at fourtitude.... he had seen the production version and said it holds the same line as the sportback concept with a modified front facia and rear end resembling the current audi line and big brother (A8)

I knew they were gonna change the entire front end, but the rearlights? The worst thing Audi cold do to the A7 is change the original rear lights for the ones they put in every other model of their line up.

 

[bmer]

I knew they were gonna change the entire front end, but the rearlights? The worst thing Audi cold do to the A7 is change the original rear lights for the ones they put in every other model of their line up.

It's very worrying indeed to hear that Audi might use another minimally different variation of its current rear light shape that is already used in the A4, A5, A6 & A8. I really hope it's not true.

 

[klier]

The sad truth is that like almost all modern designs the A7 needs overly large alloys before it looks right.

What's sad about it? Cars are growing, you want the rims to stay the same size as before???

 

[darkop]

It's very worrying indeed to hear that Audi might use another minimally different variation of its current rear light shape that is already used in the A4, A5, A6 & A8. I really hope it's not true.

Haha, like all bmws that receive ''completely different and unique'' rear treatments lately?!!!
seriously, don't wanna sound as anyone's advocate here, we might like it or not but that's exactly what manufacturers are doing at the moment, trying to give more corporate generic signatures to their products allowing costumers to identify themselves with the marque regardless of what and how expensive their current drive was. look at the apple - its so repetitive but unique to the whole brand - not just one product! that's what audi figured out long time ago and streamlined their focus in that direction! of course they were not the first (aston martin, porsche,...).
It's called brand identity and that sells products in a long run! kudos to bmw to discover and learn that as well as to audi to bring more emotions to their car design (taken from bmw). only MB seems kinda lost in the way and without clear focus at the moment but hopefully (for them) it will change soon...

 

[bmer]

Well, it's not like Audi would lose all their brand identity if the rear lights on the production A7 were the same as on the Sportback concept.

It's true that BMW models have been sharing more design elements lately, especially in the interior design and I would hope for more diversity there as well but that's another discussion and a one we shouldn't be having in this thread.

In any case, this trend might actually have more to do with cost-cutting and parts sharing than aspiration for more distinct brand identity.

 

[darkop]

Well, it's not like Audi would lose all their brand identity if the rear lights on the production A7 were the same as on the Sportback concept.

It's true that BMW models have been sharing more design elements lately, especially in the interior design and I would hope for more diversity there as well but that's another discussion and a one we shouldn't be having in this thread.

In any case, this trend might actually have more to do with cost-cutting and parts sharing than aspiration for more distinct brand identity.

rear lights on the SB concept were in line with common design language in audi and that's how they gonna look like - 99.99%

 

[bmer]

rear lights on the SB concept were in line with common design language in audi

That was pretty much the point with the first paragraph of my last post. That's exactly why I'd like them to be on the production A7 and why I said it was worrying to hear that they might instead use the A4, A5 & A8 style rear lights... After the A8, which even many Audi-enthusiasts have called bland & unimaginative, the A7 needs to have a more distinct and stylish appearance.

 

[SKY]

The best think Audi could do is not to touch too much the Concept design and launch it as a production model. Sadly they have already changed the front, wich I hope will be seen on another Audi (new A6 perhaps?).

 

[Beemer B773ER]

In any case, this trend might actually have more to do with cost-cutting and parts sharing than aspiration for more distinct brand identity.

Completely agree bmer.

VAG's Strategy: Ctrl+C ..then.. Ctrl+V = Ctrl $

Simple really.

 

[rollo]

Completely agree bmer.

VAG's Strategy: Ctrl+C ..then.. Ctrl+V = Ctrl $

Simple really.

And how exactly would this differ from BMW's strategy?

 

[klier]

^ Because BMW is one brand? VAG is doing hat throughout the whole model range, from Skoda to Veyron and everything in between.

But I agree for BMW itself it's exactly the same, as there's a lot of part sharing thoughout the line up. Which is more then logical.

 

[Centurion]

Completely agree bmer.

VAG's Strategy: Ctrl+C ..then.. Ctrl+V = Ctrl $

Simple really.

There are other terms for that: Standardisation and economies of scale -- and everyone is doing it.

What do you think is the behind the success of Toyota? There base so much as 12 cars on a single platform and everything under the body shell is shared with oxygen with other car models.

Platform sharing is specifically prevelent in premium niche models. Mercedes pioneered this technique with the CLS and subesquently BMW followed the same recepie when they fully based the X6 on the X5. It didn't take too long for VAG to notice the effectiveness of this and applied it to the Passat CC and then A5 Sportback.

As the auto industry shrinks and become more of an oligopoly, component sharing will increase in the race to fill all possible gaps in the market at the lowest cost.

 

[Sayyaaf]

isn't VW have been doing this platform sharing thingy since ages with VW/Seat/Skoda/Audi/Porsche ?????????? that's way before the CLS/X6.

 

[Centurion]

isn't VW have been doing this platform sharing thingy since ages with VW/Seat/Skoda/Audi/Porsche ?????????? that's way before the CLS/X6.

Everyone has been doing it for year but the CLS uncovered the true potentials of platsform sharing: Take volume car, slap on a new body, give it a new name, add a few digits to the price tag and what the status of the brand being elevated while money rains in.

 

[Floydian]

Everyone has been doing it for year but the CLS uncovered the true potentials of platsform sharing: Take volume car, slap on a new body, give it a new name, add a few digits to the price tag and what the status of the brand being elevated while money rains in.

I agree.

MB and BMW would had done the same if they cars had twins. It is something logical for VW to share platforms with other VW group brands. They cut costs thus cars are inevitable cheaper to purchase. This makes them sell even more

I am OK with platform sharing in this situation but I am NOT OK for the prices they want for BMW's and MB. Look at the BMW 1 series for instance, has nothing more special than a Golf and its much less practical, less economic etc etc but still has twice the price of a Golf. Why? Because its got a BMW badge.. (''MAYBE'' because BMW doesnt (cant) share platforms)

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Report: Audi RS7 Coming With 580-HP V-10

As part of a new model blitz to drive its offerings up to a total of 40 different models, Audi is augmenting its lineup with new coupes, soft-roaders and sedans. The 2011 Audi A8 was unveiled late last year, the 2011 Audi A1 is out but still not confirmed for the U.S., and now new reports detail a high-performance RS7 model based on the upcoming 2011 Audi A7.

The A7 is a four-door “sportback” that fits somewhere in between sedan, coupe and wagon and is currently in the final stages of development, with a reveal likely to take place at the 2010 Paris Auto Show this October.

The RS7 variant, set to arrive around two years after the regular A7 is launched, will reportedly feature a 580 horsepower version of the 5.2-liter V-10 engine found in the S6. Sending drive to all four wheels will be a quattro system matched to an electronic differential and seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

As for the car’s styling, Audi design director Stefan Sielaff has previously mentioned that the S and RS performance variants of the Audi lineup will have more visual differentiation over the standard models than the current range. He also explained that the cars would have more aluminum and carbon-fiber trim inside the cabin to emphasize their performance aspect to occupants.

- Report: Audi RS7 Coming With 580-HP V-10 - MotorAuthority

 

[footie]

I question whether in this information about a 580ps NA 5.2v10 is correct considering that they already has this same output from a bi-turbo 5.0v10. Emissions are going to get stricter not easier so I would be expecting the we will see a decrease in capacity with probably two less cylinders and the inclusion of forced induction for definite.

 

[SKY]

I question whether in this information about a 580ps NA 5.2v10 is correct considering that they already has this same output from a bi-turbo 5.0v10. Emissions are going to get stricter not easier so I would be expecting the we will see a decrease in capacity with probably two less cylinders and the inclusion of forced induction for definite.

But remeber Audi will try to sell the A7 as a more exclusive product than the RS6. That´s the reason why the have the 5.2 FSI in the R8 and why I think they will mantain it for the new S8 aswell.

Just to tremind you guys, the engine of the new RS7, if this report is true, is the same one oas on the Lambo Gallardo Superleggera, the most powerful version of this engine, with 570 hp and 540 NM of torque.