Since I take really, really, really (I mean it, really) long pauses in between postings, the things that I write here must be really important... Well, at least they're important to me. It's a form of self-development, actually. The long pauses; time, precious time. That's all there is to it.
Don't follow? Never mind. Allow me to direct your attention to the all-new Audi A7, the new Audi in town, just recently unveiled in Munich four days ago. The car-junkie instinct inside of me is whispering that Audi has ultimately nailed it this time; it's the perfect package.
Audis have a tendency to become well-preserved design-wise. Every time I see the occasional previous generation A4 (model year 00-05) pass by, it still strikes me as a handsome, modern sedan; a fresh and sharp design. And then I realized that it's a 10-year-old car. My, how funny, the way time passes by.
If a 10-year old Audi can look like a car that's just driven out of the showroom, then you can get the picture of how a brand new one would have an impact over your heartbeat rate. The new A7 is simply stunning. In terms of size, it fits perfectly between the A6 and A8. In terms of style, though, it could easily beat, say, a BMW 5GT, or, kill a Porsche Panamera.
We are witnessing the rise of a new automobile segment; the 4-door coupe, and the A7 is the latest addition to the family of these coupe-sedan crossovers. The A7 has to be one of this year's most striking cars to be introduced. Its styling is sharp and bold, its practicality reasonable, and its impact is personally on par with the ranks of the Aston Martin Rapide, yet another 4-door coupe. It easily tops the list of favourite cars launched in 2010, and I have a feeling the A7 is already on the wish-lists of many out there who understand its value and have big pockets. The great thing is, you don't have to have Aston Martin Rapide-sized pockets to own something which is equally elegant.
Honestly, it took a while for me to find the words to glorify the A7, but I expended the effort anyways, out of appreciation for it. It's a great way to have the size of a saloon, the good-looks of a coupe, the performance of a sports car, and the luxury of an executive limo. It generates an image of youthfulness in the grounds dominated by boring, big-sized, stereotyped saloons. Its a great package; what's not to like?
Even the Panamera has a knack of growing on you, especially when you consider it's performance and efficiency (and if your mind is open enough to accept the image of a bloated 911), but I'd take the A7 to the 'controversial' Porsche any day, and I'm certain others will also succumb to the Audi's infinite 'macho-ness', in contrast to the Panamera's, well 'ugliness' (there, I said it straight, because that's what it really is compared to the A7).
This post is not meant as criticism towards the Porsche Panamera. I have the utmost respect for Porsche Design, and even higher respect for their engineering prowess. Porsche is undoubtedly one of the best sports car manufacturers out there, second to none. This post is merely a comparison experiment and a bid to exercise reasoning in order to figure out which is more likely to be preferred.
In some aspects, I think this is why the A7 appeals to me; it questions the need for a bloated 911.
Details; http://paultan.org/2010/07/27/2011-audi-a7-sportback-official-details-and-gallery/
