Audi is not just working on the next generation of the A6 and A7, but also developing the hotter S6 and S7 versions at the same time.
The new generation of Audi’s full-sized four-door coupe was spotted by our spies at the Nurburgring in prototype form. The simple camouflage wrap can’t hide the new style Audi is gunning for, with the front end wearing an ultra-wide hexagonal grille and a pair of slim headlights, a style that was previewed by the Prologue concepts.
Thanks to the adoption of the latest MLB Evo platform, the new Audi S7 is expected to be around 100kg (220 lbs) lighter than the current model and feature a long list of impressive tech, including the latest active safety and semi-autonomous systems.
Under the bonnets of the upcoming S6/S7 will be a twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that should at least match the current car’s 450hp V8, leaving the twin-turbo eight-pot for the even faster RS versions that will follow later on. Audi also plans a pair of plug-in hybrid versions with reports suggesting the use of a 3.0-litre V6 engine at its heart both in petrol and in diesel forms, although it’s safe to say the latter won’t be crossing the Atlantic any time soon.
The interior will be unsurprisingly a high-tech fiesta, featuring high-res OLED displays, gesture control and an advanced voice control system. A new telematics system will also keep the car connected online at all times. At the same time, the cabin will offer more space to passengers and the driver, thanks to that new platform.
The new generation of the A7 will also come with radar, laser and ultrasonic sensors, as well as multiple cameras necessary for the autonomous technology to work. A self-parking feature will also be present, with the driver controlling the car via a smartphone application.
The self-driving tech will debut first in the new Audi A8 and then trickle down to the A6 and A7 models. Audi is expected to launch the new A7/S7 in early-to-mid 2017.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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