Audi has been on a relentless new car introduction path as of late and 2007 will be no exception. The manufacturer will debut its B8 A5 and S5 variants at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March, to be followed by the all new B8 A4 at the enormous Frankfurt show in the fall.
In 2008 Audi continues by introducing a mid-sized "coupe" model for the very first time. According to those familiar with the program the debut will take place at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show with the vehicle – to be named the Audi A7 – going on sale for model year 2009 in Europe and shortly thereafter in calendar 2009 in North America.
The Audi A7 will initially be offered as a four-door "coupe". Today only one manufacturer has an offering in the luxury four-door coupe segment: Mercedes-Benz with its CLS.
Audi’s case for building the A7 is bolstered by the CLS’ strong sales and the healthy ongoing global forecast for luxury vehicles. In fact Audi is not the only manufacturer with plans in this area, as both Jaguar and Volkswagen have been working on their own rivals for the CLS. In Jaguar’s case it will be the upcoming XJ replacement, however we have to wonder if new VW Group boss (and former Audi Chairman) Dr. Martin Winterkorn will keep the supposedly Passat-based VW project alive.
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