Preview: 2009 Audi A7 Cabriolet

Audi is determined to eclipse its main rivals in the sales race and will be releasing an onslaught of all-new models in an effort to become top dog. The carmaker has already revealed its new A5 and S5 coupes, and just around the corner is the new Q5 soft-roader and the next A4, but the big-ticket item is the new A7 model that will go head-to-head with the stylish CLS from Mercedes Benz. The Audi A7 will initially be offered as a four-door coupe that's scheduled to go on sale in early 2009, but a cabriolet variant is expected to join the lineup towards the end of that same year.

These latest renderings compiled from sources close to Audi reveal that the new cabriolet will likely feature a conventional soft-top roof in order to preserve the car’s sleek profile and save trunk space. Some unique styling features that could be implemented include hidden rear door handles, LED lighting and a pillar-less glasshouse. Apart from Audi, other manufacturers including BMW, Jaguar and Volkswagen will be releasing their own sedans with coupe-like styling.

The A7 will be positioned above the A6 sedan and will be based on the new extended platform that will be used for the A8 limo. The large car wheelbase will ensure that rear passengers have adequate space, and should provide levels of comfort and dynamics similar to the more premium A8. The flexible architecture is the same design used for the new A5 coupe, and it will eventually spawn several key models for Audi including the next generation A4, A6, A8 and Q5 line of cars. This means that the A7 will also benefit from the relocated engine and transmission positioned close to the firewall to improve weight distribution and balance.

The expected engine offerings will include several gasoline and TDI powerplants, kicking off with a 3.2L gasoline V6 and moving up to the Lamborghini-derived V10 unit reserved for a potent S7 model. The range topping sports version should also pick up the new magnetic-ride suspension and quattro AWD as standard. Follow the jump to see the rendering in full.