2012 Audi A7 Sportback

What’s that you say? Audi’s A8 luxo-barge too big for ya? Poor thing. And the A4 is too small and the A6 is too hum-drum for such a stylistic person? Audi’s hoping to fix that with a new addition to their lineup: the 2012 Audi A7 Sportback, a 5-door hatchback based on the Audi A6 with many of the gadgets from the A8 plus colossal trunk space.

When it hits the shores later this year as a 2012 model, the A7 Sportback will be in very rare company. Initially only offered with the companies superb 3.0 “TFSI” supercharged V6 (300HP, 324LB/FT’s) it will be powerful enough to compete with the Porsche Panamera V6 (296 HP, 294LB/FT’s) but with the addition of Quattro all-wheel-drive. It will have higher seating capacity than Mercedes’ CLS with 3-abreast the back though only two seat belts, the capability exists. The A7 Sportback will have massively more trunk space than the Jaguar XF sedan and yet won’t be nearly as much a eyesore as BMW’s Gran Turismo monstrosity.

When the A7 Sportback arrives in America later this year, it will be in rare company. Its single engine offering will be plenty for most and efficient enough for everyone. Audi has a history of making a splash with each example and the 2012 Audi A7 Sportback will prove no different. Or just wait for the S7 version to debut in Paris this fall.

Autoblog - “Audi has made much of its headway over the last few years by being a design leader, and that torch has clearly been passed to the A7, a car that boldly presumes to challenge the long-held stereotype that Americans don’t buy hatchbacks – especially one with a premium price point. ”

Car and Driver – “This is clearly a luxury car with sportiness playing second fiddle”

Popular Mechanics – “While Audi has Mercedes-Benz firmly in its sights with this new five-door hatchback, it’s also making a style statement. But it’s doing so in the understated way that Audi has adopted as a trademark. Not as ostentatious as the newly updated Mercedes CLS”

Car Magazine (UK) – “So what exactly is the new Audi A7? It’s Audi’s answer to the Mercedes CLS, a luxury saloon that thinks it’s a coupé. Unlike the CLS… the Audi has an opening hatch instead of a saloon boot. Think A5 Sportback but on a bigger scale.”

What Car? (UK)- “The A7’s cabin is packed with as much treasure as a pirate ship. ”

Pistonheads.com – “There’s no doubt about it, getting behind the wheel of a well-spec’ed A7 is a definite ‘feel good’ experience.”

Autoexpress (UK, video) – “Besides the R8, we think it’s one of the best looking models in [Audi's] range.”

Our first post, a 2005 Superformance Daytona Cobra Coupe, comes from eBay Motors and is located in Asheville, NC. Even though its a “continuation series” (officially licensed replica) car, its is one of my dream cars. Not only is it eye-candy but its also a high performing streetable track-car with pedigree having beat Ferrari 3 years on the trot with only a 289 C.I. Ford V8. The Shelby AC Cobra (the Daytona Coupe’s sister car) is the easily the most reprodcued car on the planet but there were only a 5 Daytona coupes produced (one was destroyed in shipping). At a vintage car race an amazed Carroll Shelby once commented, “There were only 5 of these damn cars produced and all 7 of them are here.”

This particular Dayona Coupe is featured in classic blue with white stripes and a 427 C.I. Roush crate motor pumping out 535 earth-rumbling horsepower. Complete with side pipe exhaust, a trunk mounted spare tire, racing livery, and the aforementioned Roush 427 this is your chance to own a modernized peice of American racing history, starting at $79,000 with 0 bids.