Preview: 2009 Audi S7

Audi is preparing a new four-door coupe positioned between its A8 limo and A6 models and, as with any new Audi, there’s invariably a performance "S" model. Aimed at the segment starter, Mercedes' svelte CLS saloon, the new A7 should arrive on the market in early 2009 and will be joined by a convertible version one year later.

Standard models will get the usual assortment of FSI and TDI six and eight cylinder engines but a new top of the line S7 is tipped to get the naturally aspirated 5.2L V10 engine from the S6. The S7 will also benefit from Audi quattro and the carmaker's new sport differential torque distribution set-up.

Depending on the success of the car, there could even be a new super-saloon in the form of a RS7 powered by the new 580hp twin-turbo engine that debuted in the new RS6.

These new renderings of the car reveal designers won’t be making any drastic changes to Audi’s current design language, with the new S7 taking many cues from the S5 and S4 models. One of the new themes set for Audi’s performance models is the clean front end, devoid of any fog lights, and it appears this will carry for the future S7 as well.