Audi's prologue show car launches the marque in a new design era

Audi has unveiled the aptly titled prologue show car, which previews technologies and the styling direction the marque will take in the future. Moreover, the show car is also largely rumoured to spin off a new series of luxury sedans - dubbed the A9 - similar in the style of the A5 and A7 nomenclatures.

The 4.0-litre TFSI produces up to 605bhp of power and 750Nm of torque, allowing the prologue concept to hit the century mark, from rest, in a brisk 3.7 seconds. Its dynamic all-wheel steering, in which the rear wheels can turn up to five degrees contributes to an extremely responsive and stable driving experience.

Flanking the Singleframe grille are wide and flat head lights, concealing high-resolution Matrix laser technology. The pupils of the head lights are formed by a projection lens with a laser light source. Hovering beneath this element are five plastic lenses that are supplied with light via a glass fibre bundle, which are mounted to a lightweight structure and further extend the high-beam light.

In side profile, balanced proportions put equal emphasis on the front and rear wheels - a clear reference to the quattro DNA of Audi. The powerful 22-inch wheels are set in widely flared wheel arches. A characteristic feature is the flared shoulders above the wheels - a visual throwback to the Audi Ur-quattro of the 1980s.

The interior is like a luxurious lounge, based on Gran Turismo design, and marks the beginning of a new design era, where the architecture merges with the operating concept to form one unit. The 'butler' software program identifies the occupants based on their smartphones and adjusts the seats and climate control system according to their preferences.

Tautly stretched lines and lean geometric forms give the interior a light and clear ambience. The instrument panel has a light and elegant appearance and emphasises the generous width of the interior. The head restraints of the rear bucket seats are lowered when not in use and automatically extend when a passenger enters the rear seating area.

The surfaces of the seats and seat backs, the dashboard, the console on the centre tunnel and the armrests are covered in light coloured 'passion' leather - a new soft grade of leather that emphasises the natural characteristics of the animal hide. Soft nubuck leather covers the backs of the seats and the side panel trim of the rear seating area.