2018 Audi A7 Imagined with Prologue-Inspired Design
Independent renderings preview the next-generation Audi A7, drawing on the Prologue concept and hinting at future styling and technology.
Independent digital renderings have surfaced showing how the next-generation Audi A7 could look, with the images taking clear inspiration from Audi’s Prologue concept. The design exercise, produced by DesignRM, highlights a sharper, more sculpted appearance for the A7, previewing possible styling cues ahead of the model’s expected debut in the second half of 2017.
The renderings suggest a front end dominated by a wide, angular grille and slim headlights, while the rear adopts a more pronounced fastback profile. These elements draw heavily on the Prologue’s design language, which Audi has already signalled will influence its future large saloons and coupes. The result is a car that appears lower and more aggressive than the outgoing A7, with a clear visual separation from the next A6 and A8.
Platform and technology expectations
The new A7 is expected to move to the MLB Evo platform, which underpins several recent large Audis. This modular architecture should help the A7 shed around 100kg compared to the current model, improving both efficiency and dynamics. The MLB Evo platform also opens the door for new driver assistance features and semi-autonomous technology, as seen in the upcoming A6, which is set to offer hands-off driving in certain conditions at speeds up to 60km/h.
Revised air suspension is likely, with the system using forward-facing cameras to read the road and adjust damping in real time. The engine line-up is expected to be updated, though no specifics have been confirmed. Given Audi’s recent moves, a mix of turbocharged petrol and diesel units can be anticipated, with hybridisation a possibility later in the model’s life.
Positioning and design context
Audi has used the Prologue concept as a design template across its upper-range models, and the A7’s renderings indicate a clear move to distinguish it from both the A6 and A8. The sharper lines and coupe-like silhouette reinforce the A7’s role as the more dynamic, design-led option in Audi’s large car line-up. For those interested in how other upcoming models are being imagined, visualisations for the 2015 Audi A4 Avantand 2017 Audi RS4 Avantare also available.
