Spyshots: 2011 Audi A7

Audi's new A7 is undergoing heavy testing right now, as the company prepares the launch of the car on both European and US soil. As you can see in this new set of spyshots, the guys over at Audi managed to camouflage the car pretty well, so only a few things are actually noticeable from the pics.

But we do observe that the car features a unique strut system at the rear, while the interior sports a pop-up navigation system, from our information completely new to the brand at the time of the A7's launch. The car will be based on the next-generation A6 platform, and will be offered with two engine options, as it follows: a supercharged V6 developing 300 horsepower plus a more powerful unit, a 4.2 liter V8.

And that's pretty much all we know about the future model but more information is expected to surface anytime soon, as the car is likely to enter production in the upcoming months. It will compete with the already popular Mercedes CLS and with BMW's fresh 5 Series GT. It will borrow some design cues from the A7 Sportback Concept, shown for the first time at the 2009 edition of the Detroit Motor Show.

As for the unveiling moment, rumors are suggesting that A7 will make its first appearance in production form anytime soon, with voices familiar with the matter pointing to the Moscow Auto Show and Paris Auto Show this autumn. Either one, the first units will be delivered to customers in the first months of 2011.