Audi Sportback Concept

[Kitdy]

The industry is abuzz and the blogs are all hot as I'm sure UCP will be monday morning for the big (is it still big with all the pullouts?) show in Detroit starting later today for the press (I had the pleasure of attending last year and it was a lot of fun I gotta say to make the trek as well as look around Cobo).

Leaked ahead of it's debut later today at the NAIAS in Detroit, behold below the Audi Sportback Concept in all it's glory. It is essentially the concept version of the upcoming A7. It's apparently based on Audi's new modular longitudinal build kit (LBK) which can be modified to adjust length, width, and height for packaging needs. It is supposedly bigger than the A6 (so says Autoblog's source at Audi) and the production version will apparently use this LBK as well as upcoming Audi models.

I think Autoblog has it right when they say that the rear is similar to the Estoque. As for the rest, I am not keen on it but am confident that the A7 will be better. I am quite interested in seeing what Audi will do with the A8 I must admit as I dig the subtle changes and LED lights on the new A4 and A5 - they always catch my eye when I see them on the road - I am not sure it'd work on a more sedate A8 though but we'll see. As you know by now, I think Audi's designs are great barring the grille - if only they used the old one they'd be spectacular but are only good in my eyes whilst hampered with the giant goofy mouth.

Enjoy or don't the pictures below.

[Roentgen]

Front and back looks good. Side is a bit of a disaster.

[f6fhellcat13]

Front and back looks good. Side is a bit of a disaster.
This.
('cept the front is **** ugly.)

[Kitdy]

The rear roof arch and buttocks end form the side reminds me of Aston as the XKR from the rear did the same earlier.

[f6fhellcat13]

The rear roof arch and buttocks end form the side reminds me of Aston as the XKR from the rear did the same earlier.
Behind the B-pillar I can even see some Estoque, but the front of it is so hideous even without "The Grille", though, addmitedly, much less so.

[Ferrer]

So that's just Audi's CLS. From the thumbnails it looks good.

[Bleeding Heart]

the front and side looks quite nice. the rear is somewhat ugly though.

[Rockefella]

It looks exaggerated, unfinished, and confused. It's not bad per se, just needs a good bit of work.

[john14]

Why can't Audi design a good looking grille like BMW? The grilles on modern Audis look terrible. I don't like the design of the Audi Sportback Concept either. I agree with Rocke when he says it looks exaggerated, unfinished, and confused.

[Street_Dreamer]

Why can't Audi design a good looking grille like BMW? The grilles on modern Audis look terrible. I don't like the design of the Audi Sportback Concept either. I agree with Rocke when he says it looks exaggerated, unfinished, and confused.It's all subjective. I don't think the kidney grilles are any better than Audis grilles. I think the Audi grille is not only hugely distinctive, but looks very good.

I also think this car looks really nice, but it's an Audi so that shouldn't really surprise us. More of the same, but if it ain't broke...

[LeonOfTheDead]

Front and back looks good. Side is a bit of a disaster.


This.
('cept the front is **** ugly.)

this, and the lower part of the rear is screaming Maserati


It looks exaggerated, unfinished, and confused. It's not bad per se, just needs a good bit of work.

agree.
loosing the all rounded design Audi can't rely anymore on the stone style, they should have already realized that.

[NicFromLA]

First of all, I like it. I don't love, but like it a lot.

Second, with Porsche talking over more than 50% of VW, will they allow a car that seems to be direct competition to their new Panamera? I personally would take a RS7 over a Panamera Turbo any day.

[Ferrer]

It's all subjective. I don't think the kidney grilles are any better than Audis grilles. I think the Audi grille is not only hugely distinctive, but looks very good.
I think Audi's grille is hugely... huge.

When they introduced it they ruined one of the few reasons to actually buy one.

First of all, I like it. I don't love, but like it a lot.

Second, with Porsche talking over more than 50% of VW, will they allow a car that seems to be direct competition to their new Panamera? I personally would take a RS7 over a Panamera Turbo any day.
Not to mention the Estoque, S8, Conti FS,...

[LeonOfTheDead]

I suppose the Estoque is gone with the arrival of the Panamera.
this or the 4 door Lamborghini will be freakin' expensive.
the Bentley Continental FS is a different car, while the A7 or whatever is supposed to be cheaper, and probably it will kill the S8 (if not the A8)
sink the Phaeton.

[DFH]

this car unbelievebly ugly i cant stand it for me the only sedans r the CLS an the 5-series preferebly a M5 but audi keeps on getting uglier an uglier

[092326001]

get rid of the grill

[LTSmash]

Why can't Audi design a good looking grille like BMW? The grilles on modern Audis look terrible. I don't like the design of the Audi Sportback Concept either. I agree with Rocke when he says it looks exaggerated, unfinished, and confused.

Agreed. I'm sick of modern Audi designs.

[henk4]

you only have to follow new VW models and shortly after that Audi will come with a "premium" version to screw more money out of the consumer. This is the "Passat CC".

[Spastik_Roach]

The next car Audi make will just be one giant grille on wheels I swear...

[Ferrer]

you only have to follow new VW models and shortly after that Audi will come with a "premium" version to screw more money out of the consumer. This is the "Passat CC".
Just like always have.

[wwgkd]

It kind of reminds me of a panamera with the big audi schnoz and aston taillights.

[Zytek_Fan]

90% percent of Audi concepts become reality.

This will be on the road soon.