Audi Sportback Concept pre-Detroit leaked images preview upcoming Audi A7 four-door coupe

First hi-res images of the Audi A7 Sportback Concept (the nameplate on the car seems to say Audi Sportback Concept) set to be displayed at the Detroit Auto Show tomorrow have been unveiled on the internet. The front-end looks alot like the ones shown on the Audi metroproject quattro and its evolution, the Audi A1 Sportback Concept, except the front grille loses the vertical slats, leaving only the horizontal ones.
It has a fastback roofline, more like the Porsche Panamera rather than the Aston Martin Rapide, which might lead some to think its going to have a hatchback boot, but a look an image of the rear after the jump and you can see the bootlid’s lines do not really meet the rear glass in a way that a hatch would, but then again Audi could also be doing a hatchback-sedan dual bootlid combo much like Skoda’s new Superb.
The Audi A7 is said to be larger than the Audi A6 and built on the new Audi MLP platform, which is modular in terms of length and width to suit different sizes of cars while retaining many components in the interests of economies of scale.

Audi A7 ‘Sportback’ concept leaked ahead of Detroit Auto Show debut

While many carmakers are either scaling back their 2009 Detroit Auto Show presence, or pulling out altogether, Audi is set to buck the trend with a number of important unveilings reportedly planned for the event. The German luxury marque has already released details about its new V10-powered R8 supercar, and now images of a concept version of its upcoming A7 four-door coupe have hit the web. No official details have been released but we know the concept will be called the Sportback. Earlier this year Audi released several official teaser sketches of a number of important models including the A7. Audi A7 first spy shots

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2010 Audi S4 - Second Drive

Audi giveth, Audi taketh away. The previous-generation Audi S4 sports sedan drew power from a 340-hp, 4.2-liter V-8. A generation before that, a 250-hp, twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 powered the S4. When the 2010 S4 goes on sale in the fall, buyers will find an engine more similar to that early turbo six than to the outgoing V-8: a supercharged V-6. While this may look like a step in the wrong direction, Audi claims it's more like two steps forward. The new S4's supercharged and direct-injected 3.0-liter V-6 makes only seven fewer horses than the departing V-8, at 333—the same power as BMW's E46 M3—but makes 23 more pound-feet of torque 600 rpm ­earlier. Even though it lost two cylinders, Audi's new engine gives up nothing to the old V-8. The six-cylinder has better low-end grunt and, according to Audi, 27 percent better fuel economy than did the V-8. The power delivery is linear, and the Eaton-supplied supercharger, making at most 11.6 psi of boost, comes on gradually without the normally associated supercharger whine. The whistle can be detected only if you are listening for it. Keep Reading: 2010 Audi S4 - Second Drive

 

One million Audi fans can't be wrong

2008 was a tough year, but apparently it wasn't equally as tough for everybody. Audi has now reported that it broke through the 1 million unit mark last year, selling more vehicles than it ever has before. Total global sales in 2008 came to 1,003,400 vehicles - up 4.3% over last year - including 82,000 units in December. But while the American market has typically been a vital region for European premium marques especially, U.S. sales dropped 6.1% for Audi this year, and nearly 10% in December when U.S. sales accounted for less than 10% of the company's global sales. Ingolstadt attributes its sales success to the dozen new models it introduced last year, including the Q5 and A4 (seen above). Thanks to everyone who sent in the tip, and check out the press release after the jump. [Source: Audi]

 

AUDI AG sells over one million cars in 2008

While the auto industry was hit with depressing sales during 2008, Audi AG announced today that it reached its objective of selling more than one million cars in 2008 for the first time in its history. Audi said that its unit sales jumped by 4.1 percent over 2007 - for a total of 1,003,400 vehicles sold worldwide. December sales for Audi jumped 17.4 percent with a total of 82,800 units sold. The German automaker said that about 12 new or upgraded models helped boost overall sales. The most important introductions for Audi last year was the new A4 sedan and the new Audi Q5 SUV followed by upgrades to the A3 and A6. "We'll continue to draw on this strength in the difficult year of 2009," Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said in a statement. "We have ambitious long-term goals: We want to make Audi the most attractive premium brand worldwide." Audi saw strong growth in the European and Asia-Pacific regions. In Western Europe, Audi sold some 667,000 units, 2.5 percent more than it did in 2007. In the Asia-Pacific region about 155,100 customers bought an Audi vehicle. IN the U.S. Audi sold a total of 87,760 units in 2008.

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Audi cracks one million annual vehicle sales for the first time

Audi has recorded sales of over one million cars in a 12 month period for the first time, and at the same time achieved its 13th record year of sales in a row. Worldwide, the carmaker's sales increased 4.1% through 2008, with 12 new models and expansion into new markets helping to boost the numbers. In 2008 Audi sold a total of 1,003,400 cars worldwide, up from 964,151 the year before. With the newly introduced Q5 and the new A4 family, sales in December alone increased by 17.4% over the prior year's December. 2008 B8 Audi A4

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200-hp Audi S1 coming in early 2010

After bringing the Audi A1 to the market later this year, Audi will offer a high-performance S1 version of the hatchback that will compete with the likes of the MINI John Cooper Works and the upcoming Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA. Power will come from a 1.4L TFSI supercharged and turbocharged engine making a total of 200-hp. It will also carry a quattro all-wheel-drove chassis. 0 to 60 mph is expected to come in at 6 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph. The Audi S1 will also receive some cosmetic changes to set it apart from the A1 including flared arches, 19-inch alloy wheels, roof-mounted spoiler, an aggressive front end with a low front splitter, deep air intakes and daytime LED running lights. Look out for the Audi S1 in early 2010. Audi A1 Sportback concept:     Source: AutoExpress