se-automotive

Hello

I wonder if you guys can help. I am a car design finalist at Coventry School of Art & Design, and my final year project is to design a new coupe of the A8, which I am calling the A9. The size of a Mercedes CL, it would employ a diesel-electric hybrid system. Diesel is preferred considering the big strides Audi has taken by running diesel cars in Le Mans, as well as considering the popularity of the V6 & V8 Diesel A8s here in Europe. Hybrid is preferred so as to show a forward thinking strategy in terms of renewable and sustainable energy sources.

I wonder if you would be able to give me your views on the following:

Does the Audi brand need such a car (large hybrid coupe - or large coupe whatever the power source)?

What other sort of powertrain should be considered (hydrogen, electric, bio-ethanol etc)?

What other current cars do you think would compete with such a car (CL seems only relevant competition for market position, price, and size)?

These are the main areas for consideration at the moment. If there is anything else I've missed, which you think could help, please don't hesitate to make a suggestion. I promise you guys - the styling will be real Audi styling, much unlike some of the stuff we've seen recently....

Thanks in anticipation.

Segun Akin-Olugbade
Coventry School of Art & Design

Push That Tush

scrapped it pretty quick because of sales estimates.<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A8">wiki link</a></li></ul>

S4canada

Even with lower fuel prices Audi does not need such a low volume 2 door boat; the A/S5 has most of the options available in an a/S8 anyway. Rumors of an A/S7 have been circulating for years and even reflect own <a href="http://www.leftlanenews.com/audi-a5-convertible-to-replace-a4-drop-top-adui-production-schedule-leaked.html#more-6762">Audi's own production schedule leaked 2008-2012</a>

Since BMW ceased production of the 850 in '99 the only direct competition is the CL class. The Americans have the 2 door Cadillac XLR but given its a convertible hardtop in nature I dunno if its a fair comparo.

Electric is the only reasonable future-proof alternative and until electricity energy storage problems are solved it means fuel cell/diesel electric hybrid. Given production costs and scale Ethanol is <b>not</b> an enviromental alternative fuel source. Recapture energy costs are still way to high and only getting worse.

hell if fuel prices rise again with this sagging economy, in a few years
your 2door coupe might look like copies of this;
<img src="http://www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/03/bmw-isetta-spaceball.png">

se-automotive

If you think back to 1997, Audi had a very small customer base, and a very small range: A3, A4, A6, A8. In the US, it was A4, A6 &amp; A8. Since then, the customer base has grown, and hence, I think there may be more interest... Would you LIKE to drive one? I emphasise like, because at that stage, its all about what you want - not need.

Thanks for your opinions... It is nice to look back and see how far Audi have come....

se-automotive

With this idea, I am trying to recapture the European idea of a Grand Tourer, where effortless mile-munching is the talk of the day. I agree that everything in your S8 is probably in your S5, but that size helps add a touch of... majesty, and elegance if well proportioned to hide "excess fat".

Mercedes have continued to do well with the CL, even with the CLS coming out, and this is the reason for this idea.

Thanks for clearing up the ethanol issue... I'll knock that right off my list. I really think diesel electric is a solution, and a precursor to full electric (for when fuel prices do finally break the ozone layer!).

Thanks for your opinions...

:-)

se-automotive

Any other opinions? Some very sound ones so far... :-)

nirad

And we know the A7 will be four door "coupe" like the CLS. I could see an A9 coupe that begins in the $80k range (just above the RS5) and goes up to $130k (below a Bentley). BTW, have you seen these Audi renderings?<ul><li><a href="http://jalopnik.com/5069327/audi-drops-sketches-of-a5-cabrio-sportback-a7-and-next+gen-a8">http://jalopnik.com/5069327/audi-drops-sketches-of-a5-cabrio-sportback-a7-and-next+gen-a8</a</li></ul>

Yea Snow

Take a look at the China-only A6L. It would also carry the weight/mass of batteries for an all elec

alexpho

I would love to see a two door coup for an A8 to compete withe CL series, but the design and price must be within reasons. Otherwise, who would be able to afford it? The A8 now is actually " lower" than its competitors . Therefore, I would like Audi to design this with the same style as perhaps an Aston Martin DB7, sleek and long hooded, but keep its massive length. The grill should also be redesigned.

As for the power, heck, make it a twin turbo V-10

JustBusiness

The perfect car for me would be a full size luxury AWD sedan. I've been searching for one, and found a big gap in the automotive industry.

Why would someone want a full size AWD coupe?
They are &lt;50, don't usually have more than 2 in the car, live in an area with snow or heavy rain, and tall/big.(I'm 6'3", the S5/A5 is too small for comfortable daily driving)

Design ideas:
Engine - You mentioned forward looking engines, I'd say one option may be a diesel 4-cylinder with the VAG "duocharger" both supercharged and turbocharged (each used at different RPM levels).
The target customer would probably want enough power to get to 60 in less than 6 seconds. The DSG trans could help that cause, mated to a I-6, or the 4.2 FSI V8.


I hope you post some renderings on here when you are done.

Regards,

Justin