Audi has released several teaser sketches for some of its important future models that reveal new details about the upcoming A5 Sportback model due next year in the U.S. as well the all-new 2010 A7 four-door coupe and next-generation 2011 A8 flagship saloon, which should eventually make their way to Australian shores.

The closest of these future models to production is the A5 Cabrio, which as expected will be styled almost exactly like the Coupe but will feature an automatic folding soft-top. More interesting is the A5 Sportback, which as the images reveal looks more like a low-slung sedan than a traditional Sportback hatch. Both of these models will feature the same powertrain lineup as the A5 Coupe and will be available in the performance 'S' trim and possibly as RS versions as well, although whether these high-performance variants make it to Australia remains uncertain - Audi has recently taken to ignoring the Australian market with most of its high-priced variants, except for the R8 of course.

A7 four-door coupe
Next in line is the A7 four-door coupe, which is expected to be launched late next year in the U.S. as a 2010 model. Unique elements are the extremely short overhangs, reminiscent of the TT Coupe, as well as aggressively tapered headlamps, and a straight roofline that slopes down and blends directly into the rear hatch. The A7 lineup will start with a 152kW 2.8-litre model, followed by a 224kW 3.0-litre supercharged version, and finally a 294kW 4.2-litre V8 range topper. Eventually an RS7 model will be added to the lineup and this is expected to get a 447kW twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V10.

Next-generation A8
The last model to be previewed in this latest series of sketches is the next-generation A8 due in late 2010 in the U.S. The single image of the flagship saloon reveals a single-frame grille design, a low profile roof, and a much more aggressive look than the conservatively styled model currently on sale. The new engine lineup will feature both diesel and petrol variants, including a 186kW 3.0-litre V6 TDI, a 216kW 3.0-litre V6 FSI, a 254kW 4.2-litre V8 TDI, a 277Kw 4.2-litre V8 FSI and finally a range-topping 462kW 5.0-litre V10 FSI reserved for the S8.

Other new models in the pipeline for Audi include the high performance variants of the Audi A5 and Audi TT, the RS5 and the TT-RS, both of which should provide some serious competition to BMW's M3 coupe and Z4 M coupe.

Audi Future Lineup Sketches gallery

• 2008 Audi RS6 Avant official details
• 2008 WCOTY top three finalists announced
• All-new Cruze compact car lights the path for General Motors’ future
• Audi A5 Cabrio previewed
• Audi A6 range gets updates for 2009

Comments (0)

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment

Share this Story