Rumormill: Audi is considering A9 supersedan

[Sayyaaf]

Rendered by Autozeitung

The updated A8 is already here and the new A7 is on its way, but could a new Audi super sedan be just around the corner? Folks in the homeland of the four-ringed automaker are speculating that a Porsche Panamera-derived range topper is on the horizon, and that it will be dubbed the Audi A9.

According to Germany's AutoZeitung, the A9 will be offered with a choice of either rear-wheel drive(!) or the familiar Quattro all-wheel drive setup, the Audi A9 would also be available as a gas-electric hybrid. The power output could climb to 500 horsepower.

This is all just rumor at this point, but it would certainly be interesting to if the surging Audi brand can successfully float this many high-dollar products. We've seen what it can do with the premium luxury sedan thanks to the wonderful new A8, and we're we're big fans of the R8 in all its flavors, but is there enough room at the top for an A9 as well?

Autoblog.com

 

[BlaZain]

The success of the R8 has proved that Audi is capable of opening the wallets of the lucky few with $120 plus to spend against better established competitors, so the idea of an A9 being in the works is credible.

In fact, I would be surprised not to see an A9, Bentley CGT 4 door coupe and an Estoque like car from Lamborghini in the next 3 to 5 years. Which is good news for BMW/Mercedes/Maserati fans - as I am sure they are also preparing to enter the fray with their own iterations.

(PS Despite the r/d-epression the total number of millionaires across the globe is steadily increasing, especially in markets such as China....so I guess there is room for such cars.)

 

[NarutoRamen]

That pic looks pretty damn hot.

 

[footie]

In fact, I would be surprised not to see an A9, Bentley CGT 4 door coupe and an Estoque like car from Lamborghini in the next 3 to 5 years. Which is good news for BMW/Mercedes/Maserati fans - as I am sure they are also preparing to enter the fray with their own iterations.

(PS Despite the r/d-epression the total number of millionaires across the globe is steadily increasing, especially in markets such as China....so I guess there is room for such cars.)

You are quite right to link this car to the Bentley and Lambo because they will all share the platform if the car gets the green light, which I reckon it will. Starting point will probably be about 15-20% north of the A8, putting it in line with Porsche's Panamera.

This rumour of rwd has been voiced countless times in recent years, every time Audi are about to develop a new chassis people think they will make the switch to rwd but still offer quattro on their most sporty of versions. If they were a model to start the trend then this would be it, after all both Bentley and Lambo couldn't expect either of their models to be anything less then rwd as a bare minimum but preferably awd if possible. Audi need to continue moving the front axle forward but they also need to retain quattro, it's what makes Audi unique among it's rivals.

 

[SKY]

But the Audi would be way less expensive than its Labo/Bently brothers, isn't it?.

 

[SCOTT27]

Which is good news for BMW/Mercedes/Maserati fans - as I am sure they are also preparing to enter the fray with their own iterations.

Yes, some designers have set up a mobile design studio at Lake Como, Italy to work on a new interpretation of a flagship BMW, in a way similar to how the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Ghost were designed away from an actual design studio.

Of course the stillborn car along with the Gran Coupe is their for inspiration. Twitter image...

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Audi need to continue moving the front axle forward but they also need to retain quattro, it's what makes Audi unique among it's rivals.

Quite true regarding the positioning of the front axle. Audi executed that endeavor quite well on the current A4/A5 and the new A7. Hopefully, the soon-to-be introduced A6 will adhere to that theme. Should be the case as it shares its' underpinnings with the A7.

Too bad Audi didn't appear to get it quite right with the A8, despite its' MLB based chassis. I find the A8 attractive from the firewall back, but from the firewall forwards it strikes me as being a bit short-hooded and snub-nosed, very much indicative of a FWD configuration. I hope that Audi will correct this on the A9, should it ever come to fruition.

Yes, some designers have set up a mobile design studio at Lake Como, Italy to work on a new interpretation of a flagship BMW, in a way similar to how the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Ghost were designed away from an actual design studio.

Of course the stillborn car along with the Gran Coupe is their for inspiration. Twitter image...

So there will be a large BMW 4 door coupe positioned above the 6er Gran Coupe, eh ?