Audi Prologue Avant Concept Revealed Ahead Of 2015 Geneva Motor Show
Audi’s imposing Prologue coupe concept (shown below) unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show was a preview of new styling themes devised under the guidance of recently appointed design chief Marc Lichte for the automaker’s future product, starting with the next-generation A8 flagship sedan due in 2016. The concept was in the shape of a coupe but Audi isn’t planning a large, luxurious two-door just yet. Instead, the Prologue previewed the look of Audi’s future notchback models like its sedans and coupes.
Now we have a new Prologue concept, and this one previews the look of Audi’s future Sportbacks (hatches) and Avants (wagons). It’s called the "Prologue Avant" and it features four traditional doors plus a fifth door at the rear. We can also see that the tail-light treatment is similar to the design used on the original Prologue concept, albeit with new graphics, and these are joined by a roof-mounted spoiler also at the rear.
Another important change made to the Prologue Avant is the powertrain. The original Prologue coupe had a 4.0-liter TFSI V-8 tuned to deliver a massive 605 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. A second Prologue coupe, this one with autonomous capability, added hybrid tech to the same V-8 to boost output to 667 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque. This third one features a diesel-based plug-in hybrid setup that Audi says is similar to the one set to debut in the new Q7 e-tron quattro.
A 3.0-liter TDI engine is paired with an electric motor integrated with the vehicle’s eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, and in the Prologue Avant the combined output has been dialed up to 455 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. In the upcoming Q7 e-tron quattro, the setup will be rated at 373 hp and 516 lb-ft. Audi says the Prologue Avant will sprint to 62 mph from rest in just 5.1 seconds and with a full charge of its battery (a 14.1-kWh lithium-ion unit) should be able to cover about 33 miles on electric power alone.