A7/S7/RS7 Official: Audi A7

[Dave1984]

Apart from hatchback shape, price and engine choices I see no other similarity with 5-Series GT. GT is much higher car (5" or so), offering semi-SUV like sitting position, and providing much more interior space to a driver and all the passengers according to A7 and 5-Series GT official data sheets. A7 is an alternative to a classic 2-door coupe, just like CLS and Panamera and upcoming 6-Series GranCoupe are. Still sitting low, sporty and elegant lines, intimate interior space, yet it offers more room for the rear passengers and easier entry, plus in hatch case more spacious and versatile boot. BMW GT is definitely not a luxury sports car at all. I don't see GT as a direct competitor to Panamera, CLS, 6-Series and A7 since the general idea and the concept is completely different. But CLS, A7, 5-Series GT, Panamera, 6-Series (all the variants) are sure in the same price segment yet offering different concepts to the customers who can now pick whatever suit them best according to their needs. Being that a sedan-coupe, hatchback-coupe, wagon-shooting brake (if offered by BMW and Mercedes-Benz), high-sitting-luxo-hatch etc.
I also don't agree with opinions that express pity A8 hadn't been offered with A7-like front, or in similar case BMW 5-Series with GranCoupe face. Mind those 4-door coupes are much lower cars in general, with lower and wider noses. So it's impossible to implement such nose on a much higher car like A8, A6 or 5-Series, which have to be higher to offer proper comfort and especially head room for rear passengers. Just my 2 cents.

 

[molotow]

I've got the feeling that the design team of Audi hasn't got new ideas anymore?!

A4

A5 Sportback

A7

A8

Q5

this line-up bores me

 

[Dave1984]

Don't know where to post this, but anyway:

Special thread would be nice. But shall we wait till CLS official photos are available? What I already find very interesting is the fact among all the cars in this segment (including Panamera) BMW's 6-Series GranCoupe looks most conservative, elegant, classy, even classic and constrained. CLS swooshy styling is much more avantgarde, and so are the fastback forms of A7 and Panamera, while GranCoupe follows classic sedan form with many horizontal lines including the boot. It looks like BMW played all the avantgarde trumps on the 5-Series GT. I dare to say BMW will probably sell more same-engine GranCoupe variants than regular 2-door 6-Series coupes in the markets where both models will be offered.

 

[martinbo]

The Audi has the sleeker profile and the bigger boot. The BMW is bulkier with a more spacious interior. So yes, if interior accomodation is all we're going on then the A7 and 5er GT aren't direct rivals. But I think we'll see plenty of comparisons in the press that pit the two against each other.

Sure, the CLS and the 6er GranCoupe - when it comes - are more natural rivals. I'm pretty certain though that someone shopping for an A7 will also look at the 5er GT as an alternative, will weigh up the pros and cons of both and choose one over the other.

 

[Dave1984]

But I think we'll see plenty of comparisons in the press that pit the two against each other.

Press does all the possible "interesting" comparisons. They are even able to compare X6 to 3-Series Coupe since both are called a Coupe. Or Cayenne to Panamera since both wear Porsche badge and have 5 doors. I think what's more important is what prospects think, and whether there is a cross-shopping going on. IMO there will be as much cross-shopping between 5-Series GT and A7 (or Panamera) as between X6 and 5-Series GT. A7 (or Panamera) and 5-Series GT are much different in characters. Sure they both incorporate fastback looks but they both cater to different driving tastes. It's like comparing an SUV to a wagon. Both are spacious, have large and versatile boot and even have similar price yet the main difference is the general height and the sitting position. Just like in the case of 5-door large coupe and 5-door semi-SUV crossover. I don't buy an argument they are rivals just because they come from rival brands, and wear similar price tags and the fastback side profile. Customers wanting low sitting position of a classic sports coupe with some additional boot versatility will go for A7 or Panamera, while the ones preferring elevated sitting position with semi-SUV view on a road will pick 5-Series GT. And the difference is quite significant here. We are talking about at least 5". It's all about comfort versus sport. And so far I have seen a single attempt in the press only comparing Panamera to 5-Series GT. Why would they be more eager comparing BMW GT to A7? I see absolutely no sense in that. Just like I can't see much sense in the comparisons where 5-Series GT was tested against E-Class Wagon, R-Class, BMW X6 or even RangeRover Sport. If there is no real and natural competitor to a certain model the press just makes it up, and throws some similar (in price or shape) model from a rival brand in the comparison. Just to make a juicy story, to get readers attracted, and to sell the paper. Automotive press is an easy job where a story can be simply created by the press even when there is no real story behind. Just like in the tabloid papers, and that makes me really sad.

 

[Centurion]

I can't believe that people are so hung up about the hatchback. This is Porsche Panamera all over again. Just because a car has a hatch doesn't mean that it's no-less sexy than a car without. If the A7 is a 5er GT rival because it has a hath then we might as well say that the Rapide and Panamera are also 5er GT rivals, but more expensive.

An A7/CLS buyer shops between those two four doors and the 6er, simply in search of a gorgeous car. It's all about design with comfort and space as a second priority. The 5GT customers will evaluate station wagons, SUVs and even sedans to find cargo and passanger hauler that possess s sprinkle of aspiration. While a family or a firm would have most their automotive needs served by the 5GT, the strict four seater and less accomodating A7 wouldn't. And oh, did I mention that the 5GT is very tall and bulky looking?

 

[martinbo]

Press does all the possible "interesting" comparisons. They are even able to compare X6 to 3-Series Coupe since both are called a Coupe. Or Cayenne to Panamera since both wear Porsche badge and have 5 doors. I think what's more important is what prospects think, and whether there is a cross-shopping going on. IMO there will be as much cross-shopping between 5-Series GT and A7 (or Panamera) as between X6 and 5-Series GT. A7 (or Panamera) and 5-Series GT are much different in characters. Sure they both incorporate fastback looks but they both cater to different driving tastes. It's like comparing an SUV to a wagon. Both are spacious, have large and versatile boot and even have similar price yet the main difference is the general height and the sitting position. Just like in the case of 5-door large coupe and 5-door semi-SUV crossover. I don't buy an argument they are rivals just because they come from rival brands, and wear similar price tags and the fastback side profile. Customers wanting low sitting position of a classic sports coupe with some additional boot versatility will go for A7 or Panamera, while the ones preferring elevated sitting position with semi-SUV view on a road will pick 5-Series GT. And the difference is quite significant here. We are talking about at least 5". It's all about comfort versus sport. And so far I have seen a single attempt in the press only comparing Panamera to 5-Series GT. Why would they be more eager comparing BMW GT to A7? I see absolutely no sense in that. Just like I can't see much sense in the comparisons where 5-Series GT was tested against E-Class Wagon, R-Class, BMW X6 or even RangeRover Sport. If there is no real and natural competitor to a certain model the press just makes it up, and throws some similar (in price or shape) model from a rival brand in the comparison. Just to make a juicy story, to get readers attracted, and to sell the paper. Automotive press is an easy job where a story can be simply created by the press even when there is no real story behind. Just like in the tabloid papers, and that makes me really sad.

Best argument put forward so far...

 

[SKY]

Absolutely gorgeous.

 

[footie]

I've got the feeling that the design team of Audi hasn't got new ideas anymore?!

...

this line-up bores me

Ditto.

What I see is a similar corporate image at play, and rightly so. It's not a case of running out of ideas but maintaining a family resemblance.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1923/7series.jpg

 

[PanterroR]

^

Be serious, please...

1. PS of F10
2. E65? Can you say wt-f???

 

[Levi68]

I think somebody needs to see a doctor.

 

[molotow]

Well, first of all you show us old BMW models and some photoshops?!

3-series, 7-series, Z4
it doesn't look similar to me. look at the different grill, different styling of the front bumper etc.

The Audi front looks always the same. There are only a few differences in the LED styling. But the front remains the same in every model. Of course you could argue that it's Audis corporate identity, but after years it's beginning to bore me.
Mercedes has a fresh, modern and individual design, but you immediately identifiy it as a Mercedes.

And now compare it again to the model line-up of Audi

 

[klier]

car looks great, much better than its arch rival 5er GT, (but i actually quite fancy it funky look, could be my next car).

Aaaaarrghhh.....when is the madness going to stop?????

Seriously.

But I think we'll see plenty of comparisons in the press that pit the two against each other.

Ok. So when retarded press puts them head to head, they must be rivals. I get it. Nice logic.

 

[SKY]

Honestly, if someone argues that the A7 competes against the 5er GT he is just laying himself. 5er GT derivates from the concept introduced by Merces with the R-Class, just that BMW tried to do it in a more dynamic way, by making in look more sedanish. But we won´t see an M version of it, and the marketing campaign wasn´t focused on the sportiness of the car (cause it´s very small, compared to other BMWs).

A7 comes in response of the growing market niche of the 4 door coupes, wich also was introduced by Mercedes with the CLS. You can find derivates from other brand, with their own vision of the segment, as Porsche was prooved with their super-hatch, the Panamera. And Iñve not seen anyone saying the Panamera competes with the 5er GT, mostly because is nonsense.

Again, Audi just prefers to do this type of mix between a sedan and a coupe with a hatchback instead of the traditional CLS shape, but it is marketed as a 5 door coupe, aimed at that market. 5er GT is just a more dynamic MPV, not a sprty alternative to the 5er sedan, wich in fact will be the 6er GC, as the CLS is of the E-Class, and the A7 os the A6.

Have I said anything wrong or weird? Can people stop this absurd debate and focus on other aspects of the car?.

 

[Audi69]

A7 just destroys the 5GT here as a profile comparison. No contest! I would definitely pick the A7. See it like this, if these cars were girls at a bar you would talk to the A7 and take her home. The 5GT would look like a butch hairy lesbian who you wouldn't be interested in anyway hahaha!

A7 v 5GT = A7 win! Bring on the BMW GC.

 

[BKK-ES]

Somebody please create an A7 picture thread. I don't want to read any more of Audi vs BMW vs MB fight.
I just want to see new pictures of this stunning car.

 

[Human]

A7 just destroys the 5GT here as a profile comparison. No contest! I would definitely pick the A7. See it like this, if these cars were girls at a bar you would talk to the A7 and take her home. The 5GT would look like a butch hairy lesbian who you wouldn't be interested in anyway hahaha!

A7 v 5GT = A7 win! Bring on the BMW GC.

IN YOUR OPINION

Look carefully...(Audi = Alien face) opposed to (BMW = Predator face)

Thus ALIEN VS. PREDATOR....My money was, will always be on the predator

 

[Kowalski]

Somebody please create an A7 picture thread. I don't want to read any more of Audi vs BMW vs MB fight.
I just want to see new pictures of this stunning car.

There you go:http://www.germancarforum.com/audi-pictures/34071-audi-a7-picture-thread.html#post473542

 

[footie]

Rumour has it that Audi are under consumer pressure to offer the A5SB with three rear seatbelts, if this happens like it has with the Passat CC then there is a very good chance the A7 will receive the same treatment.

 

[klier]

Thus ALIEN VS. PREDATOR....My money was, will always be on the predator

Predators is now in cinema I think, the new 2010 version