2011 Audi A7 spy photos, testing at Nürburgring

The Audi A7, which is due to be released later this year (most likely as an MY11 model) will challenge the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Volkswagen Passat CC and BMW 5 Series GT.

Sharing the same underpinnings as the Audi A6, the all-new Audi A7 will offer a range of petrol and diesel powerplants, as well as at least one hybrid variant. No four-cylinder models are expected in the A7 range.

Offering a mix of six- and seven-speed manual gearboxes, plus automatic and dual-clutch S-tronic transmissions, Audi will also offer an S7 variant featuring a 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V10, which may even be the model pictured. A convertible version is also rumoured to be in the pipeline.

Pricing and full specification details will be released closer to the car's launch later this year or early in 2011.

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