Audi A7 Sportback Concept

Audi A7 Sportback Concept

Audi has unveiled the Sportback Concept at the Detroit motor show… It’ll arrive next year – most likely named the A7

Audi has created the Sportback Concept as almost a collage of Audi design cues with touches from the A1 Concept, providing the single frame front grille, to the A5 Coupe which shares a similar tail section.

But the design is also coupe-influenced, which Audi readily admits. The coupe theme is evident in the four seat arrangement (two rear seats instead of three) of the Sportback Concept. That sort of coupe styling on a car that isn’t really a coupe has become somewhat of a fashion lately. Models such as the VW CC, based on the Passat, and the BMW X6 being the most obvious examples.

The Sportback Concept is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 diesel with 225 hp and 550 Nm of torque (307 lb-ft) coupled to Audi’s 7-speed S tronic transmission and will be the cleanest diesel yet from Audi. This 3.0 liter oil-burner will be compliant with California’s stringent emissions standards (as well as EU6 compliant) making the engine a viable option for Audi models sold in the US.

The concept also comes with a new five-link front suspension set-up, CDC (continuous damping control) shock absorbers with magnetic fluid control, electronic steering (which also provides a parking assistant), carbon- ceramic brakes discs and 6-piston brake callipers. New Audi styling features previewed by the concept include the reduction of the number of lines, especially around the roof and shoulders, a markedly horizontal shoulder, broad and flat LED tail-lights, and a new interpretation of the single-frame grille.