Audi is chasing after the electrified segments like other premium car manufacturers. The four-ring brand is about to expand its zero-emission offering, and while doing that, it is also renaming its low-slung models.
As a result, Audi's upcoming EVs will use even numbers in their names, while the odd numbers will be reserved for machines fed by fossil fuels. So, let's give a warm welcome to the first-ever Audi A7 Avant.
Unrelated to the current A7, which is a four-door coupe (actually, it's five, as it is a liftback) that goes against the likes of BMW's 8 Series Gran Coupe and the demised Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Audi A7 Avant is the successor to the C8 A6 Avant, with its four-door sibling replacing the sedan.
It will still challenge other business wagons, including Mercedes' E-Class Estate and BMW's 5 Series Touring, looking like an evolution of its predecessor. It'll feature a reinterpreted version of the typical grille up front, new LED headlights, a more modern lighting signature at the rear, and a slightly arched roofline that makes it look sportier.
Photo: Kolesa
If you paid attention to the upcoming A6 e-tron and A7 scoops, then you know that the former has a closed-off grille with split headlamps flanking it and different taillights. Moreover, its roofline is not that arched towards the rear, meaning that its cargo area will be superior compared to ICE-powered models, which, despite being similarly sized, are underpinned by different platforms.
Details surrounding the powertrain family are scarce, yet in all likelihood, the upcoming Audi A7 lineup (Sedan and Avant) will launch with four- and six-cylinder units, likely with electric assistance that would boost their performance and make them less thirsty. It is unknown whether they'll get the Audi Sport treatment, but the electric derivatives will, and they're expected to have over 800 horsepower combined.
We will know more about Audi's next A7 as the testing and fine-tuning phase advances and the camouflage gradually starts coming off. That should happen in the next few months, and if we were to bet on it, we'd say the official unveiling will take place later this year. In the meantime, the model will keep falling victim to the rendering world, with various pixel manipulators trying to imagine what it will look like.
These digital illustrations came from the peeps at Kolesa, and they appear to have been based on the latest spy shots. As a result, they stay true to the styling of the upcoming car to a point, filling in the blanks with various traits inspired by the company's existing models. Overall, we wouldn't mind if the next A7 Avant ends up looking like this, as we think this is an appealing proposal. Do you agree?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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