JediMindTricks

but won't the rumored A7 be the direct CLS competitor?

unless they're not going ahead with the A7.

this really should have been the "regular" A5, imo.

Moog-Type-S

I never thought the sportback was supposed to compete directly with the CLS.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

No. The A5 was to be a coupe from the start. Unforunately, their letter designation is falling into the same problem now that they had before that they tried to fix with the introduction of the A5.

Previously the A4 had the sedan, avant, and the cabriolet in all the trims, base, S, and RS. they removed the coupe and pushed it into the A5 monicker, but now have introduced another model into the A5 lineup that kinda asks the question, well why wasn't the A5 kept an A4, or why wasn't this put into the A6 lineup instead. Oh well, it still looks good.

JediMindTricks

my bad. i meant A4.

charliemike

I just meant the "four door coupe" styling and not necessarily that the A7 isn't coming here or isn't the CLS competitor.

JediMindTricks

oh. in that case the xF still rules for me.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

I agree there, this could have been dubbed the A4 sportback, but I don't know what the underlying differences are between the A4 and A5. Aren't both the S4 and S5 going to come with the same 3.0T motor? Aren't they both built on the same chassis?

ostrich

It is still totally beyond me why they would not bring this absolute beauty into the North American market. It is RIDICULOUS!!!

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Their avant sales have been dipping year after year and SUV sales still doing well (not as good as before), bringing this over would probably cannibalize sales of the Q5, Q7 and Avants.

Besides, those of us that love this car have to fight with the fact that 90+% of American's don't like wagons or hatches. Those effing a$$holes ruining it for us. LA LA LA look at me driving in my SUV all alone going to work because it's only vehicle I can fit in.

Belzebutt

The headliner in the back of this car is too thin to meet North American safety regulations. For them to bring it to North America they would have to redesign it (and possibly change the shape of the car) and you know that as it is this car would already be a niche product.