Today, Audi took off the wraps of their latest addition to the family: the Audi A7. Labeled as a modern four-door sportback sedan, the A7 combines the functionality of a hatchback with seating for four or five passengers, similar to what the 5 Series Gran Turismo offers.

The bodystyle is inline with the latest Audi models, modern, sleek, including the signature LED running lamps still present in this design. From the side, the Audi A7 leaves the impression of a child born from the matting of a shooting brake and a coupe.

Some journalists place the new Audi A7 in the same league as the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, but we are more inclined to believe that the Audi is going after a different niche segment, the one where the future BMW Gran Coupe and new Mercedes-Benz CLS will fight over the four-door coupe crown.

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The targeted demographic for these vehicles seems clear to us: four-door coupe buyers looking for an elegant, sort of extravagant design, luxurious interior and driving performance.

A previous BMWBLOG comparison placed the Audi A7 Concept against the Gran Coupe Concept, the Mercedes CLS and the Porsche Panamera.

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Today, we are taking a similar approach, but with minor changes. The production-ready A7 will go head-to-head still with the Gran Coupe Concept, and to spice up things even more while  pleasing the heated Mercedes-Benz fans, we decided to add some renderings of what many believe the new CLS model will look like.

Your unbiased votes and comments are welcomed below.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS rendering by Motor Trend

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