Radical Audi Design Change Could Anchor Volkswagen Group Product Push Says AutoZeitung

[Tumbo]

Though experiencing precedent-setting growth, further aggressive expansion of the Audi brand is said to be part of an aggressive growth strategy for the Volkswagen Group says AutoZeitung. If accurate, the rumors coming from the German automotive magazine suggest an aggressive re-thinking of Audi Design may be in the cards and begin with the A6/A7 pair due in 2017.

This is all part of a greater strategy to add 33 new models in the coming years say the report – a plan that sees the company take over as the world’s largest auto company by 2018.

At Audi, this means an aggressive new strategy of leading through technology and illustrated through a more aggressive face. According to AutoZeitung, the marque has been conducting secret customer surveys to test the waters for a striking new grille design. While AutoZeitung’s image above is just an artist’s rendering, the report suggests that this new direction, if followed, might have more of an Italian Maserati-like feel to it.

The piece also suggests this design could be introduced on new models like the all-new A6 coming in 2017 and six months later with an A6 Shooting Brake…



In the meantime, the B9 A4 that was due out by this autumn has now been pushed back to March 2015. It also states that the next-generation Audi R8 is expected in October 2015, and the RS 3 (rendered above by P.R. Walker) due in the spring of 2015 with 400 hp on tap. The report goes on to suggest the new TT will be out by November 2014, the TT Roadster in early 2015, Q1 in mid 2015, new Q5 in autumn of 2015, Q6 in spring of 2016 and then SQ6 and RS Q6. Finally, the next Q7 is said to be here by spring of 2015 and will be joined a year later in 2016 by the Q8.

More Information: AutoZeitung.de (German), AutoZeitung.de with Google Translation to English

 

[klier]

Finally no more retarded single frame grille? Is that fad over now? I like the shape of the AZ render. Between the single frame and old school grille, a bit Jaguar-ish perhaps but not bad at all...

 

[Giannis]

Finally no more retarded single frame grille? Is that fad over now? I like the shape of the AZ render. Between the single frame and old school grille, a bit Jaguar-ish perhaps but not bad at all...

I wouldn't say that the single frame grill is really the issue. While it looked weird when it was first introduced as a styling element, the latest generation of Audis actually looks very very good in the front.

I believe that the issue lies with the fact that Audi's design language is too politically correct. Yes, elegance and understatement is an all time classic value to base a design language on, but every brand needs a kick in its design language every now and then, so that things get spiced up. It worked good for BMW and I do think that Audi needs such a kick.

While I can't find any fault with most of Audi's latest designs, I don't catch myself going bananas over any of them. On the other hand, I am not convinced that BMW's love-or-hate approach is better either.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Finally no more retarded single frame grille? Is that fad over now?

I'll tell you which "fad" I wish was over. People using the adjective "retarded" in a context which makes no sense. A design element on a car cannot be "retarded".

Retarded = Less advanced in physical, social or mental development than is usual for one's age. Often offensive.


Just when the adjective "gay" had died out, it had to be replaced by this. Mods, any chance we can have a Kindergarten forum solely for the members who want to talk like they're a 13 year old in the playground, and leave the rest of this site for the adults?

 

[Benek]

I think that AZ render doeasn't look like an Audi, more like Jaguaro-Mercedeso-Audi. Looks just grotesquely. I don't like it.

 

[mini_cooper4]

I like the first render! Thank God it doesn't look gay or retarded!

PS: Benek just got MartinGianclaud'ed

 

[Deleted member 1071]

It will be interesting to witness how Audi designers will usher a fresh exterior design language into its' product line. It's current precise, at times razor-edged yet minimalistic styling signature has the quality of timelessness. Alas-the theme has become all too familiar and has thus relegated Audi products to the ranks of "boring" in the eyes of many car enthusiasts.

I often get the suspicion that Audi will increase concentration on SUV and crossover offerings. Porsche and perhaps Bentley will occupy the more traditional sports-luxury segment with their upcoming MSB matrix-based offerings. VW is in the process of repositioning itself as a "just a wee smidgen under bonafide premium" provider. Similar can be said of Skoda.

 

[The Pretender]

Only if Audi would loose that ugly front grill design you can speak of a radical Audi design change.

But i don't see that happen any time soon, so boring design will stay for a while.

The new TT would be a place to start fresh, but no they f#cked that up pretty well.
It's rounded in the middle and edgy at the front and rear, and now it looks like hodgepodge, design wise.