Tuesday 22nd March 2011

Audi A9: Will It Be A Coupe?

Ingolstadt's 2014 flagship set to take on Mercedes CL

---

Audi's forthcoming flagship model - expected to be called the A9 - will be a massive two-door coupe, at least according to reports in the German press.

German car mag Auto Bild says that the new car will be a five-metre coupe based on the A8, but with a more luxurious interior.

Due to go on sale in 2014, there will be two versions of the A9, say the Germans - a pillarless coupe version, and a fully convertible model, most likely with a fabric roof rather than a retractable hard-top.

The car looks set to take on the Mercedes CL, and possibly even the Porsche Panamera (though not too directly, we presume), and will be priced from around 80,000 euros (£70k).

[Munich]

And the point of this model being?

[mrclav]

That they can do it.

[sootyrumble]

Wow Audi found another niche in the car market that needs a knew car, i used to be a huge audi fan, they were understated, fast and a fabulous places to be. I loved my Audi S3 but now they are going to far i wish car manufacturers would go back to making three or four different models which were individual. Now everyone has to have the super mini, super mini sports, super mini 4x4, hatchbacks, coupes, SUV's all to different match their contemporaries, with an infinite number of engines and gearboxes.

Due to this cess pool of design we have monstrosities like the Audi Q5, Mini Countryman and my personal award for most disgusting pointless piece of school mum driving cr*p the BMW X1

[dele]

Audi - Just say no

[mk1chopper]

so they'll take the A5 and make it a bit longer then

[Mermaid]

A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9 now.

We are missing the A2, now that was a clever Audi and so futuristic.

[k-ink]

Perfectly in tune with the times

[ZOLLAR]

Mermaid said:

A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9 now.

We are missing the A2, now that was a clever Audi and so futuristic.

Ah the A2, lovely car as you said its shape still feels current.

Edited by ZOLLAR on Tuesday 22 March 11:01

[cookie1600]

Mermaid said:

A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9 now.

We are missing the A2, now that was a clever Audi and so futuristic.

How about going lower down the scale, say the Audi 0.5?

[Mr Gear]

Mermaid said:

A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9 now.

We are missing the A2, now that was a clever Audi and so futuristic.

Agree. If you want a massive coupé Audi, there's the A5.

But if you want a clever, super-efficient family car, you've got.... a gap in the range.

[W00DY]

Audi A9: Do I care?







No.

[Ray Singh]

I have been a fan of Audi for ten plus years. The current range of cars is very uninspiring and even the Audi magazine had an article in which an artist refered to the current line up as "Russian dolls". They all look exactly the same but are in different sizes.

I'm loosing the urge to stay an Audi dedicated fanboy.

[Mermaid]

ZOLLAR said:

Ah the A2, lovely car as you said its shape still fels current.

I have one, very comfortable 4/5 seater, 5 door, under 900kgs, high driving position, 40mpg+, aluminium chassis, great(Audi) interior. Really one of the iconic cars of the last 10 years.

Edited by Mermaid on Tuesday 22 March 11:06

[Nick_Johnson]

It is me or have Audi become one of the most boring car manufactures of all time, all of their cars look so bloody similar. I honestly did know that they made so many models, saw an A7 yesterday and I didn't even know it existed.

[TheOrangePeril]

Mermaid said:

ZOLLAR said:

Ah the A2, lovely car as you said its shape still fels current.

I have one, very comfortable 4/5 seater, 5 door, under 900kgs, high driving position, 40mpg+, aluminium chassis, great(Audi) interior. Really one of the iconic cars of the last 10 years.

Edited by Mermaid on Tuesday 22 March 11:06

Under 900kg!? :O

Me likey!

[Mermaid]

Nick_Johnson said:

It is me or have Audi become one of the most boring car manufactures of all time...

RS2, RS4, R8, Quattro, A2 - their decent stuff. The rest is dull and boring.

P.S. The RS3 may prove to be OK.

[MrTickle]

Makes me laugh, all these comments.

What is wrong with having choice? If you don't like it, don't buy it.

With generic platform and part sharing, manufacturers can build niche models with relatively low development costs. Why shouldn't they as a business try and take some sales from the competition? If they can't compete with the traditional manufacturers in a certain model range then it will simply be loss making and knocked on the head anyway.

I am all for choice and let the market decide what is worthwhile and what isn't.

[nouze]

Ray Singh said:

(...) artist refered to the current line up as "Russian dolls". They all look exactly the same but are in different sizes.

It's all about the cost saving, they look the same not because of the corporate identity bullst it's cheaper to make them if they share similar design. That's one of the reasons why Audi introduces new ranges, they can afford doing it even if sales numbers aren't that impressive.

[Witchfinder]

The next model will be the Audi A10. Air-to-ground missiles and a GAU-8 cannon come as standard equipment.

Incidentally, if Audi can make a profit from such a car, then why would they not make it?

[tridave]

nouze said:

Ray Singh said:

(...) artist refered to the current line up as "Russian dolls". They all look exactly the same but are in different sizes.

It's all about the cost saving, they look the same not because of the corporate identity bullst it's cheaper to make them if they share similar design. That's one of the reasons why Audi introduces new ranges, they can afford doing it even if sales numbers aren't that impressive.

If its cheaper to make them why are they so expensive, just configured a Audi A1 to £26k ! just s-line trim with leather - glass roof ouch, for a small car thats no better in some peoples opinion to a Ford Fiesta