Audi’s cryptic teaser image of its upcoming Los Angeles showcar creates many more questions than it answers.
On the one hand, the overhead view is enticing and definitely exciting. The flowing surfaces and glasshouse bulge out into the fenders and overall nose and tail shape enticingly.
But what the heck is it?
Audi has already shown two coupe-style concepts this year in the form of the TT OffRoad concept in Beijing (yellow) and the TT sedan in red below.
Audi also has a variety of models that are overdue for the next model to come out, including the Q7 and the A4. The brand has also committed to producing a Q2 crossover and likely a Q6 and Q8 as well.
In truth, it could be any of the above — or something else entirely.
The rear glass area is the biggest curiosity. This vertical element seems to indicate some type of SUV or shooting brake versus any kind of sedan.
Our current hypothesis is that it is a new Q4 coupe-SUV that will show the next face of the A4 in glitzy concept style. This would match Audi’s overall launch timeframes if the next A4 and Q4 were to hit showrooms together next August.
Our favorite name for this #NameThatConcept ?
The QTT, or “cutie” for short. =]
Here is a rendering of the 2012 Audi Crosslane Coupe concept’s face atop the current A4 allroad’s dimensions. Stay tuned for more updates.
Also shown below are four Audi student design proposals from the last few years.
2016 Audi Q4 Rendering
Press release
Ingolstadt, 2014-10-15
Audi show car for Los Angeles –
beginning of a new era of design
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Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg and Head of Design Marc Lichte present revolutionary concept car
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New design idiom embodies the progressive values of Audi
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Concept car opens new perspectives in automotive design
The Audi Showcar at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Audi, the leading brand in automotive design, is launching into a new era of design. At the Los Angeles Auto Show, which begins on November 19, the brand with the four rings is presenting the first show car that bears the signature of the new Head of Design Marc Lichte.
For 45 year old Lichte, who was appointed Head of Audi Design in February 2014, the core competences of the brand – sportiness, lightweight design and quattro drive – all have a high level of importance. In a highly emotional and new design idiom, Marc Lichte communicates the technical competence and uncompromising product quality of the Audi brand – vehicle design is becoming an even stronger expression of progressive technology.
The concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show marks a new beginning in Audi Design – both exterior and interior.
Marc Lichte was born on August 9, 1969 in Arnsberg in the Sauerland region of Germany. He began his professional career at Volkswagen AG in 1996 while still a student at Pforzheim University studying transportation design.
After joining the company, he worked as an exterior designer before being appointed Head of the Exterior Design Studio in 2006. At Volkswagen, Marc Lichte worked on production models that included the Golf 5, 6 and 7, the Passat 6, 7 and 8, the Touareg and the Phaeton.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
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