- Audi is not abandoning gas-powered wagons, as evidenced by the spotted A7 Avant undergoing testing.
- The A6 Avant will be renamed the A7 Avant, following Audi’s new naming scheme for electric and gasoline vehicles.
- The A7 Avant sports a modern, streamlined design and is expected to ride on an updated version of the MLB platform.
If the electric Audi A6 Avant e-tron gives you the heebie-jeebies, you can rest easy knowing the company isn’t shutting the door on ICE-powered wagons. Quite the opposite, as spy photographers have snapped the A7 Avant undergoing testing on multiple occasions, in both regular and cold weather conditions.
Essentially a renamed and redesigned version of the A6 Avant, following Audi’s decision to designate EVs with even numbers and ICE versions with odd numbers, the A7 Avant sports a streamlined design that echoes the smaller A5. While most of the details are hidden by camouflage, we can see a honeycomb mesh grille that is flanked by angular headlights and vertical air curtains.
More: Electric Audi RS6 E-Tron Looks Ready For Production
Things are more evolutionary further back, but the wagon adopts flush-mounted door handles and curvaceous bodywork. They’re joined by a familiar greenhouse and an upward sweeping beltline.
The rear end is heavily disguised, but the model has slender taillights that are connected by a thin illuminated strip. That isn’t the only thing notable about them as they have vertical elements at the outside edges. We can also see a rounded rear bumper and a dual exhaust system.
Technical specifications for both the sedan version of the A7, to be named the Sportback, and the pictured Avant wagon are limited at this point. However, they’re expected to ride on an updated version of the MLB platform called the PPC (Premium Platform Combustion). The A7 should also be slightly larger than its predecessor. For size comparison, the current A6 estate it replaces measures 194.5 inches (4,939 mm) long, 74.3 inches (1,886 mm) wide, and 57.8 inches (1,467 mm) tall.
SH Proshots
We have yet to catch a glimpse of the interior for the A7 Sportback and A7 Avant, but the new luxury model is expected to transition from the current model’s twin-screen MMI system to a single curved bezel housing both the OLED gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen, similar to the setup found in the newer Q6 e-tron. This setup will likely include the addition of a third screen for the front passenger.
Powertrain Options
Audi is expected to place a greater emphasis on hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains for the new A7 series. The PHEV model will likely utilize the company’s 14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, offering an electric-only range of about 60 miles or nearly 100 kilometers.
On the more performance-oriented side, an S7 Sportback and Avant are under development, as is the range-topping RS7. Prototypes of the latter have already been spotted in Sportback form, with the model expected to pack a PHEV powertrain sourced from the Porsche Panamera. This setup could include a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, an electric motor, and a 17.9 kWh battery pack, delivering close to 700 horsepower.
Availability
Audi will kick off the revamp of its mid-size luxury range with the launch of the electric A6 e-tron this summer, followed by the A7 in both Sportback (sedan) and Avant (wagon) forms sometime in early 2025, possibly as 2026MY in North America. Expect to hear more details on Audi’s gasoline-powered competitors to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the coming months.
Note: This article has been revised to include a slew of new information and fresh spy photos.
