Audi A5 Sportback

Audi has instead given us some actual eye candy, providing official design sketches of four upcoming models: the A5 Cabrio and Sportback, the all-new 2010 A7 four-door coupe and the 2011 A8 sedan. While the A5 Cabrio looks pretty much like a topless A5 coupe, the A5 Sportback is unique for not looking at all like a traditional sportback model, instead bearing resemblance to notchbacks of yore. The A7 brings TT-esque styling to the burgeoning four-door coupe market, while the revised A8, at least in sketch form, looks just about tough as hell.

Audi A7

The flowing lines of the coupe-sedan seem to be increasingly appealing in Germany with four of the countries top brands now releasing similar designs. The A7 will be based on the A6 platform and utilise aluminium (with steel reinforcement in key areas) to reduce weight.

Engines begin with a 2.8-litre V6 FSI with optional 3.0-litre V6 on the petrol front with diesel models said to include a 2.7-litre TDI (single turbo) or 3.0-litre TDI (twin turbo).

Meanwhile the range topping RS7 will feature air suspension and a 5.0-litre twin turbo V10 which will be shared by the S7, albeit slightly detuned. A hybrid version is also expected to be made available shortly after initial release.

BMW PAS Crossover

Another round of spy shots of BMW’s Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) has surfaced, revealing what appear to be production-ready front and rear light treatments under disguise. The car, which is expected to be a five-door fastback sized between the 5-Series and 7-Series that will debut as a 2010 model, has not yet been officially unveiled. It’s expected to be the first of a possible new range of BMW products, the V-Series.


The PAS--or is it the V5?--will sport “coupe-sedan” styling similar to that of the X6, with a more road-going stance. It’s expected to be a four-seater, also in the same vein as the X6, powered by BMW’s 3.0 liter straight-six in gasoline and diesel permutations. A more powerful 4.0 liter diesel V8 may be offered, and BMW has not ruled out the possibility of a hybrid version.

Underneath the camouflage in these photos, the final hood lines can be discerned, and the dramatically sloped rear glass will give this car a unique profile on the road.