2018 Audi S7 Spied Testing in the Heat of Southern Europe
The next-generation Audi A7’s arrival is near and Audi engineers were recently spotted testing the S7 performance variant in the heat of Southern Europe.
The next-gen A7 will ride on an updated version of Audi’s MLB Evo platform, which is said to be around 220 lbs lighter than the current A7. Powering the hot S7 will likely be the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that recently debuted in the Porsche Panamera 4S, but we’re willing to bet it will have more power on tap than the 430 horsepower it makes in the Porsche. VW Group’s ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission will probably be employed and it goes without saying that all-wheel drive will be standard.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Audi S7 Review
The spy shots reveal the next-gen A7 will retain the fastback shape of the current model but will sport a wider and narrower front grille akin to the new Audi A8’s and sleeker rear tail lamps. Modern-looking LED headlamps can also be seen out front, which are joined by a sporty bumper with large air intakes. The gaping front end and quad exhaust tips are what gave this prototype away as an S7 and not your typical A7.
The next-gen Audi A7 may debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but a later arrival date seems more likely. Whenever it’s unveiled, you can expect the performance S7 to arrive alongside it.
Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
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