2015 Audi TT, 2016 Audi A5, 2018 Audi A9 Rendered, Detailed
Audi aims to fortify its sporty reputation.
Audi needs to maintain its momentum. Having rapidly made up ground on BMW and Mercedes-Benz in many important markets, it nevertheless still trails those brands in the U.S. But Ingolstadt isn’t running out of ideas, and these renderings provide a sense of what Audi has up its sleeve for the third-generation TT, the second-generation A5, and a potential all-new über-luxury sedan that could be called A9.
The first of these three to come to fruition will be the new TT, which will be based on the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform. The original TT concept, unveiled at the 1995 Frankfurt auto show, played a vital role in establishing Audi as a force in automotive design. The production modelremained faithful to the concept, while the larger second-generationmodel wore a slightly more conservative design. The third-gen TT, which will be launched in late 2014 as a 2015 model, aims to recapture the spirit of the original.
The next-generation, U.S.-spec TT will be powered by a 220-hp, 2.0-liter version of the VW Group’s EA888 turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder. The mid-level TTS will receive motivation from another turbo four serving up 300 horsepower. And while we’ve lamented the impending demise of the five-cylinder, it will live on to power the next-gen TT RS, to the tune of 380 horses. As before, both front- and Quattro all-wheel drive will be available.
The TT’s interior will be more simply styled compared to the current model’s, albeit more futuristic-feeling, thanks to TFT screen instrumentation. A year after the coupe is revealed, Audi will expand the TT portfolio with a TT roadster.
At about the same time as the TT roadster’s arrival, we expect to see the second-generation A5, which will be the second car based on Audi's new MLB Evo platform, after the next Q7. The MLB Evo architecture is an update of the original MLB, which incidentally was launched with thecurrent A5 and today underpins the A4, A5, Q5, A6, A7, and A8. This same foundation will be used by the yet-to-be-unveiled Porsche Macan, and some components have found their way into the Bentley Mulsanne.
The next-gen A5, which again will be offered as a coupe and a cabriolet and in S and RS strengths, will be engineered to accommodate a number of four-, six-, or eight-cylinder engines—likely not deviating too far from today’s powertrain lineup. There also will be a plug-in hybrid, which will include a torque-vectoring function facilitated by a rear-mounted electric motor.
Beyond the updates of its current models, Audi has a surprise in store at the top of its lineup. The brand is strongly considering an ultra-luxurious hatchback to be positioned above the A8. Based on the MLB Evo platform, this new range-topper, which we understand would be called A9, could come to market as soon as 2017.
Audi must strike a fine balance with this halo car. The A9 has to be sufficiently differentiated from the elegant and sporty A7, but it won't be an A8 Allroad, as a company source has dismissed speculation about a station-wagon look, similar to the awesome 2001 Avantissimo concept. But it likely will feature a combination of fastback and crossover proportions. This is why it is still possible that this car will be called Q9 instead of A9. We fully expect this to be one of the most powerful and sophisticated luxury cars on the market, with the added selling point of unique aesthetics.
BMW tried a similar approach with its CS concept in 2007, which was larger than the 7-series. But the brand got cold feet and binned the project in favor of the 6-series Gran Coupe. We’re eager to see whether Audi follows through. View Photo Gallery
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