Date posted: 05-10-2006

INGOLSTADT, Germany — Audi executives have confirmed that the go-ahead has been given for a new large coupe, positioned between the TT and the R8.

This car, a four-seat grand tourer called A5, is based on the Nuvolari concept car shown at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. With A4 running gear, it'll go on sale next year.


Audi's new A5 will look very similar to the Nuvolari concept (pictured) from the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. (Photo courtesy of Audi)

Audi's just-launched Q7 SUV and forthcoming R8 supercar will spearhead a major new product initiative from VW's upscale division over the next few years. And it'll be followed by more new niche models that are possible because of new modular manufacturing techniques. According to Audi sources these include:

A7: a "four-door coupe" to rival the Mercedes-Benz CLS. U.K. magazine Car carried artists' impressions of this vehicle. Based on the A6 platform, it features concealed rear doors without visible door handles and a low-profile roof, also similar to the Nuvolari. Expect to see it around 2008.

A2: a new, more conventional replacement for the all-aluminum A2 that looks like a TT hatch and contains strong design links to the Shooting Brake concept of last year. It's aimed to win sales from Mini owners who are starting to be sick of retro styling.

Q5: a low-riding SUV crossover similar to the Roadjet concept, based on the A4's running gear. Due in 2008.

Q3: a small Golf-based SUV, a sister model to the forthcoming Volkswagen Beduin/Marrakesh.

Small sports car: a stripped-out roadster being developed jointly with Austrian motorcycle maker KTM. Due in 2008.

Large wagon: still under consideration, but it looks more likely since BMW announced plans to launch a Mercedes R-Class fighter. This will look like a big Roadjet. Your guess is as good as ours as to its name, though. Seems like Audi is running out of combinations of numbers that go with A and Q. Maybe they'll name it the AQ or the QA.

What this means for you: A car for every niche: That's Audi's new strategy.

source : edmunds

 

Interesting .......

 

I like what Audi is doing with their designs. I can't wait to see them out on the road...

 

that's good, i am interested to see their future too. lexus also has/had a flood of new cars in a span of 2 yrs, if audi do this right, they have a great chance to excel!

 

Assault of the Audis
A7 coupe-like four-door due in ’08

 

that's a bit ungainly if you ask me..

i'm sure the production model will be cleaned up, but for now, it's not exactly a pretty audi.

 

A5 convertible:

 

I like the headlights. They look pretty cool and unique. I love the face of the car.

But the body of the car looks bloated. It needs a diet; it needs to drop a few pounds...

Did anyone notice there are no door handles for the rear doors?

 

 

Probably suicide doors like RX-8 . . .

 

Looking good. Audi is coming with all these new models hopefully they introduce them stagardly otherwise it could be overwhelming and maybe some of the models might flop...

 

Hot!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Audi of Ingolstadt will release this fall a concept car for the upcoming new Audi A7. However, already now – although the production version is not expected to be due before 2009 - first mules of the four door coupe have been sighted taking repeated laps at Germany’s trace track Nürburgring. The prototype can be distinguished from its wider fenders, bigger tyres and expensive alloy wheels - painted black. The production car will get a luxury style four seat interior, frameless doors, a glass roof, and offers a choice of six different fuel and Diesel V6 and V8 engines, and for the top of the line version the Lamborghini V10.

This new model by Audi will aim directly at the competitor Mercedes CLS, which became a best seller recently, due to the fact that Daimler-Chrysler is still the only one with this type of car on the market. Therefore, not only Audi but also Jaguar and Volkswagen are striving to get a rival up and going soonest. Jaguar’s will be the upcoming XJ replacement, and Volkswagen is developing a Passat-based coupe with four frameless doors, too

 

Looking good but then again this Audi!!

I just wonder what they will do with their future Q models. As you knnow they actually won their suit with Nissan. But can no longer use the Q name beyond their Q7 and upcoming Q5.

 

What has happened internally is the success of the CLS has made Audi and even others think of making a sleek 4 door.

Understand the CLS is a CASH COW, its basically an E-class with sleeker sheetmetal and has been a HUGE hit sales wise and IMAGE wise.

So Audi needs one.

The A5 is basically the A4 coupe coming.

Expect bolder styling from Audi.