New Audi A9 coming?

[ThroughandThrough]

I know it's only a rendering of a concept, but besides the front, I see nothing Audi. Perhaps some new design language is in the works.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

What does "a very technical" design language even mean? Most new design coming out nowadays are dictated by optimal aerodynamics and what the engineering team can allow (which in term is dictated by the bean counters).

 

[Deleted member 1071]

"Technical design" ? Audi has already mastered that discipline with its' minimalistic and precise approach. While it can be justifiably argued that this paradigm has introduced an excessive homogenity, the theme is also one that ages very well and is devoid of gimmickry (save those fancy-shmancy laser lamps). Perhaps the A9 concept will reflect an increased "razor-edge", the product of technological advancements in stamping and bonding. I am confident that its' interior will be quite marvelous.

And...I do hope that the finished product (meaning concept as well as eventual production vehicle) will remain true to the rendering posted above. I recall being floored (in a most positive way) by the A7 Sportback Concept back in late 2009. Unfortunately, the concepts' rakish rear roofline was not implemented on the production car. My only beef with the A7.

 

[SKY]

That render looks spectacular. Watch out BMW and MB, this could shake things up. I hope BMW and MB have their own super 4 dr coupe on the works. Maybe now that MB is changing the CLS moniker for the CLE name, we can see a true S-Class 4 dr coupe.

 

[JHF]

#FotoshopFriday: Theophilus Chin’s Audi A9 with Aston Martin Lagonda Inspiration

Reports on the upcoming L.A. Auto Show Audi A9 revealing concept car suggest it will evolve the Audi design language. With new design boss Marc Lichte about to make his mark with that car, many designers on the outside are doing their best to take a guess at the direction that will be taken by the Audi Design Team. Enter Theophilus Chin.

Looking over this render, it seems pretty obvious that Chin used the upcoming Aston Martin Lagonda as major visual inspiration. Elements like the headlights and much of the front clip appear to be lifted from that car. Adding some other Audi design cues to the mix like wheels, grille, etc., the car takes on a highly interesting tone albeit a bit close to the Aston in the eyes of actual Audi designers we are certain.

All that being said, the design sort of works for us. Looking at the size and overall shape, this appears to be more D5 Audi A8 than an A9 Sportback, but nevertheless shows one handsome way Audi could choose to go as it evolves its language. So, what say you? Hot or not?

Check out a higher resolution version of this image plus background on this render atTheophilusChin.com.

http://fourtitude.com/news/audi-rum...ins-audi-a9-aston-martin-lagonda-inspiration/

 

[rollo]

Not digging the grill at all, it looks a little like a Chrysler design?

 

[Rainer271]

Audi A9 concept teased ahead of L.A. reveal next month

Audi A9 concept teaser (modified)

Signals new design language
The first image showing Audi's upcoming concept has hit the web ahead of next month's full reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

It turns out rumors of a new concept from Audi are true and the vehicle will serve as a preview for the firm's new styling language and at the same time it will also give us a sneak preview of a range-topping A9 model. The concept was designed at Audi's styling center in Ingolstadt under the guidance of the company's chief designer Marc Lichte who was named in this position back in February.

In an interview with Auto & Design, Lichte said the concept's styling enhances the sportiness of Audi and will be implemented on future production cars that will come with an evolution of the single-frame front grille. The new models will be instantly recognizable as Audis but with a more "sculptural design" with simple and clean lines expressing the concept of performance.

Riding on the MLB Evo platform, the production version is rumored to come in 2017 with the A9 moniker and will allegedly be followed by a hotter S9 derivative packing a V8 4.0-liter twin-turbo with 600 bhp (447 kW).

The Audi concept teased here will be unveiled on November 18 during the first press day of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Source: autodesignmagazine.com via gtspirit.com

 

[Mick Briesgau]

^Is this a sort of Shooting brake form? Doesn't look like a low 4 door sedan (like CLS).

 

[Deleted member 1071]

...appears to indicate a highly tapered and rounded rear-end and a shooting brake configuration.

Perhaps strategically clever as the upcoming MSB Panamera II should be far closer to a 4 door coupe than the current model is. Not to mention the MSB-based Bentley Continental GT coupe/cabriolet successors. A large, markedly sporting shooting brake may be an appropriate niche for Audi to fill.

 

[SCOTT27]

Which is the front and which is the rear?

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

it looks like a shooting-brake-ish concept.

I am very excited by this as I am rather curious to see where they are going to go with their design. As I've said, their design isn't bad, it's just long in the tooth and is difficulty to differentiate between model lines.

 

[Busty]

Some front aspects (which I already know) are gonna be cool. The back, however, of which I have no idea, looks kinda disturbing in the teaser. Especially this trunk emblem is hard for me to integrate ....

 

[Cashmere]

I'm just excited that Audi is finally getting a new design language.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

From the C-pillar back, the roof appears to merge into a semi-flying buttress type of spoiler. This leads to speculation regarding a possible shooting brake configuration. But on the other hand, the side glass indicates something more in the direction of a 4 door coupe. Attempting to visualize the image sans the spoiler concludes the latter.

It also appears that the long rear overhang (see Audi badge) will be visually diminished by way of pronounced "rounding and tapering", which can be a very effective method.

This will be Marc Lichtes' introductory piece as the recently appointed director of Audi design. I find his work on the VW Golf VII and the new (Euro) VW Passat very impressive. Accurate, sharp, uncluttered and quite timeless. Thus, I find myself optimistic with regard to his input at Audi.

 

[Rolf]

Lets hope they make the future Audis visually more exciting and not copy cats of each other each model needs to have some kind of distinguishing feature that will make it standout from other Audi models. They seriously need to work on their grill design (make it 3D) and headlights as well and change them slightly. Out of all the 3 German car luxury manufacturers it's Mercedes that have made the most positive changes in their recent designs whether its exterior or interior. BMW are also making good changes to their grill and headlight designs as well as side profiles (cars having slightly tapering bonnet line to the front as well as defined lines running the length of the body)

 

[JHF]

Looking forward to this one, does A9 competes with the Merc's S-Coupe or?

 

[Deleted member 1071]

The most recent issue (Heft 42) of Autobild magazine features an article about the upcoming A9, the successor to the current A7 and a possible Sport Quattro coupe/convertible.

Renderings: That of the next A7 appears to be too good to be accurate. And the article alludes to the possibility of 2 (!) versions. A 5 door Sportback, as well as a 4 door slightly notchbacked coupe (!). Color me hopeful-but skeptical.

The A9: Very cool from the grill to the B-pillars, but does not seem to reflect the proportions of the recent teaser shot. Here's to my hoping that ABs' rendering is more accurate.

The Sport Quattro: Simply ÜBERcool !

http://i.auto-bild.de/ir_img/8/3/6/0/3/8/AUTO-BILD-10-2012-474x316-27be8fc61fc4eaa2.jpg

 

[tristatez28lt1]

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I find the Larson illustration interesting. And rather like it from the front through the B-pillar. Quite dynamic.

However, I would be very inclined to question its' accuracy. The teaser photos of the alleged A9 Concept due for presentation at the L.A. Motor Show show an unbecoming short-hooded, pudgy, snub-nosed theme. Perhaps just a matter of photographic angle but (to me) more than a bit disturbing.

I am hoping that the teasers are inaccurate.

 

[SCOTT27]

I am not seeing any new direction here. Good job they are renders.