Auto Channel

Here are the first spy shots of the 2011 Audi A7, which our shooters caught uncovered and undisguised in a German test lab. The resemblance to the Audi Sportback concept from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show is unmistakable. Still, subtle changes to this prototype's front fascia are visible, as the concept hatchback's cleanly styled front air intakes have been replaced with more conventional inlets resembling cars in Audi's current lineup. The headlamp design is also toned down quite a bit.


It looks similar to the A5 Sportback but with different B and C pillars. Typical of a sports coupe the front doors have no frames. The small rear side window is sharper than the more kinked A5's. Overall the A7 seems lower and longer too, with stretched front and rear overhangs. An aerodynamics spoiler sits atop the boot lid which appears to have the same opening style as the Porsche Panamera's.


In one of the detail shots after the jump, you'll see that the A7's hatch treatment has all the sass of the Sportback concept's, but there's what appears to be a spoiler atop the rear deck. We hope that's a temporary addition, or at the very least a deletable option.


As a high-end vehicle the A7 will sport some pretty powerful engines, including a 3.0-litre force-fed petrol, a new turbo V8 and a V8 TDI pulling around 800Nm. Quattro AWD will feature and work in tandem with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The 2011 Audi A7 is expect to go on sale in late 2010.
via:blogs.insideline