Audi
A9
The
Audi A9 concept is a stylish proposal for a luxury sports saloon which was
developed by the talented Spanish designer Daniel Garcia. Garcia's previous
work includes the Ducati 6098 R concept from 2009.
The
A9 concept would be positioned higher than Audi's current flagship model, the
A8, and is aimed at other top-end luxury saloons like the Porsche Panamera, and
if it ever went into production, the Lamborghini Estoque.
Audi
A9 The styling of the A9 concept was partially inspired by the stunning
architectural style of Santiago Calatrava's buildings in "La Ciudad de las
Artes y de las Ciencias" (The City of Arts and Sciences) in Garcia's
hometown of Valencia. This influence can be seen in the clean flowing lines of
the vehicle and futuristic styling features. Calatrava's buildings look like
they come from 100 years in the future, and so does this.
The
single-piece windscreen and roof is formed from an as-yet undiscovered
nanotechnology material which features an automatic-system for repairing
damage, and it can also be adjusted for color and opacity. The bodywork of the
Audi A9 concept also features a unique 'electronic painting' system which means
the vehicle's color can be changed at the touch of a button.
The
proposed drivetrain for the A9 concept is an advanced hybrid setup which uses
an internal combustion engine working in conjunction with four in-wheel
electric motors.
Of
course, with Garcia's concept being an independently created design, any A9
model Audi decides to produce will probably look significantly different. But
with the A7 currently notching up fairly healthy sales, and Audi keen to keep
pace with BMW and Mercedes in filling just about every niche possible. An even
larger, more luxurious four-door coupe - possibly verging on limousine
proportions - isn't unimaginable.
It's
rumored that while an A9 model hasn't been approved for production yet,
engineers and accountants within the company are currently assessing the
business case for such a vehicle. Audi's MLB (Modular Longitudinal
Architecture) platform - currently used for the A8 - would provide a suitable
basis for the vehicle, and there are plenty of drivetrains to choose from,
including both large displacement conventional engines and hybrid setups.
