Photo: SB-Medien
We now have the first detailed spy images of the second-generation Audi A7 four-door coupe. They are interesting from both the design and technological point of view.
This is Audi's tip of the spear, clearly equipped with large radar sensors inside the front bumper. If this thing doesn't try to drive itself, we'd be really surprised.
Some people might say that this test prototype looks the same as the current generation, but we disagree. From the front, the A7 Sportback will appear very similar to the Prologue concept, designed by Marc Lichte.
The grille is very wide and flat, probably connected to the headlights by a large strip of chrome. The hood line appears to be further down than it currently is and is flatter, just like on the TT coupe.
After doing a few rounds of the prototype, we realized that something was wrong. There doesn't appear to be a gas cap where most German cars have one. In addition, there's no exhaust pipe.
Well... there might be a tiny one on the left side, but it's hidden away, which is totally abnormal for a sports coupe. Remember, the smallest engine you will be able to buy is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, and that usually has two chunky pipes around the back.
There are two possible explanations, but both are very strange. One is that this is a pure EV. This, in turn, would explain why Audi covered the front emblem (that's the charging port) and why the floor of the car looks flat, like on a Tesla.
The other idea that pops into our heads is that we are dealing with an h-tron pre-production car. Yes, h-tron as in hydrogen fuel cell. Audi presented a concept over a years ago, and coincidence would have it that it was also based on the A7.
A fuel-cell would explain why an electric vehicle has a big radiator up front and a tiny exhaust pipe that's pointed straight at the ground. When your only byproduct is water, there's no need to install mufflers, is there?
Some people might say that this test prototype looks the same as the current generation, but we disagree. From the front, the A7 Sportback will appear very similar to the Prologue concept, designed by Marc Lichte.
The grille is very wide and flat, probably connected to the headlights by a large strip of chrome. The hood line appears to be further down than it currently is and is flatter, just like on the TT coupe.
After doing a few rounds of the prototype, we realized that something was wrong. There doesn't appear to be a gas cap where most German cars have one. In addition, there's no exhaust pipe.
Well... there might be a tiny one on the left side, but it's hidden away, which is totally abnormal for a sports coupe. Remember, the smallest engine you will be able to buy is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, and that usually has two chunky pipes around the back.
There are two possible explanations, but both are very strange. One is that this is a pure EV. This, in turn, would explain why Audi covered the front emblem (that's the charging port) and why the floor of the car looks flat, like on a Tesla.
The other idea that pops into our heads is that we are dealing with an h-tron pre-production car. Yes, h-tron as in hydrogen fuel cell. Audi presented a concept over a years ago, and coincidence would have it that it was also based on the A7.
A fuel-cell would explain why an electric vehicle has a big radiator up front and a tiny exhaust pipe that's pointed straight at the ground. When your only byproduct is water, there's no need to install mufflers, is there?
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