Audi is describing the 2015 Geneva Motor Show as ‘seventh heaven’ for its plans to roll out seven all-new models at the ever-important automotive expo. The bulk of Audi’s Geneva announcements happened prior to the show or today, the first media day, with the four rings rolling out four variations of the 2016 R8, the Q7 e-tron quattro, RS 3 Sportback and Prologue Avant concept.
The centerpiece of Audi’s Geneva booth is the Prologue Avant concept. The four-door station wagon, which is a follow up to the two-door Prologue concept, is the “new interpretation of the Avant philosophy” and gives us a hint at what to expect from Audi’s design department in the future. It also utilizes a more powerful version of the also new Q7 e-tron quattro’s diesel hybrid system with 455 horsepower and 701 lb-ft of torque.
Details on the second-generation R8 surfaced before the doors to Geneva’s Palexpo convention opened. From launch it will be available with 540 and 610 horsepower versions of Audi’s 5.2-liter V10, which is mated to a seven-speed S tronic transmission and channeled to a quattro all-wheel drive system. The big announcement, however, is the R8 e-tron. Shown at Geneva for the first time, it will have 678 lb-ft of torque and over 450 kilometers of electric range. Additionally, Audi says the emissions-free R8 “forms the basis for more,”all-electric cars.
The second-generation R8 LMS GT3-spec race car was also shown ahead of its competition debut next year. Audi says it shares more than 50 percent of its components with the series-production car, including the 5.2-liter V10 engine and parts of the mixed-material body structure.
Finally, the RS 3 Sportback and Q7 e-tron rounded out Audi’s Geneva premieres. The Q7 e-tron is the first V6-powered diesel hybrid permanent all-wheel drive vehicle in the world, using a 3.0-liter TDI V6 and disc-shaped electric motor to return a possible 139 MPG on the US cycle. The RS 3 is step in the other direction, boasting the title of world’s most powerful premium compact car thanks to a 367 horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine.
If you’re lucky enough to make it out to the Geneva Motor Show this year, open to the public from March 5th through to the 15th, Audi has lots of all-new product waiting for you. Mind grabbing us a souvenir?
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