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Spyshots: 2018 Audi A7 Chassis Testing Mule Seen for the First Time

Audi has finally begun work on the second generation of its large 5-door coupe, the A7 Sportback. This prototype shows development is in the early stages, as engineers are honing various components using the current model as a test bed.
2018 Audi A7 Chassis Testing Mule Seen for the First Time 15 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos2018 Audi A7 Test Mule Spy Photos
The only noteworthy aspects of this mule are the single exhaust system on the left side and the riveted back end, which suggests some panels need to be frequently removed.

Reports from German media suggest that Audi has bundled up development of the A6, A7 and A8 into one package. The decision may have been forced by the rise in popularity of autonomous driving tech and features like auto-parking and OLED lighting.

All these German cars should be based on the MLB Evo platform, the same one used by the new Q7 and A4. Of course, "platform" is just a loose term, as the A7 will undoubtedly be more technologically advanced than its A6 cousin. For example, we should see an extreme use of aluminum on all the major body panels. Better suspension components and noise-canceling tech are also going to differentiate the two.

The all-new S4 Sedan/Avant will arrive in dealerships come summer 2016. Instead of a supercharged engine, it uses a 3-liter V6 with a single turbocharger. That suggests the A7 3.0T will get rid of its screw as well.

The base engine should be a turbocharged 2.0-liter TFSI delivering 252 horsepower. It will also be part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined output exceeding 300 horsepower. The good news is that the sporty S7 and RS7 have been very successful and will continue being offered.

We know the witches and wizards at Porsche, Audi and Bentley are standing over a big cauldron, adding bat wings and dragon eyeballs to make a better V8 engine. Adding power is not a problem, as the next S7 will go up to 500 ponies, while the RS7 might pack 600 hp as standard. The big question is how they will reduce fuel consumption, considering the current 4.0 TFSI already knows how to pretend it's a four-pot.

With new Audi design chief Marc Lichte overseeing the project, we should see an A7 that looks very much like the Prologue concept. One of the tasks he's been given is to make the butt of the car look more conventional. Customers don't like the radical Sportback of the current model, reports say. Could this mean Audi will copy the CLS and give their four-door a normal boot? We hope not, as that would be like turning Sofia Vergara into Keira Knightley.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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