Someone at Audi must be a huge fan of Mercedes Benz CLS styling! Following the A5 Sportback, the A7 will be the second four-door coupe from Audi which will hit the markets in late 2010. Introduced at Detroit Motor Show, Audi A7 is a direct rival for the CLS, while the A5, belonging to a lower class than this, is more of a Passat CC competitor.

The A7, at least in concept model, features an odd shape which is far from pretty specially at at the front. Of course some of the detailing might change in the course of turning the concept into a production car, but the base design will remain the same. So at least in visual aspects A7 is not a real trouble to the CLS, given the fact that a fresh looking new CLS will emerge in 2011.

As for the technical issues, A7 Sportback will share many of its parts with existing models in Ingolstadt. It might even get those huge 21 inch wheels from the Q7! So is the choice of engines for this car. When it arrives in 2010 you can have it with a 3.0 liter Turbo-diesel developing 225hp and 550 nm of torque. That is the sensible choice, good power, good economy and enormous torque. But if it wants to take on Mercedes CLS or Porsche Panamera it needs some extra muscle. And Audi will supply that with a new supercharged V6 and of course a mighty V8 powerplant.

There are also rumors about another four-door coupe by Audi which will be based on the A3 and will come in 2013.

via: amus