Spy Shots: Audi S7 Sportback

With BMW and possibly Infiniti looking set to join the four-door luxury coupe fray in a couple of years, it looks like Audi and Mercedes will be the main contenders duking it out. Porsche's Panamera is also considered to be in that category.

Despite being just introduced in July, Audi is already hard at work at the next model in the lineup - the performance S7 model. Reports say it could make an introduction as soon as the Paris Auto Show.

More extreme stylistic changes are likely being saved for the future RS7 model that the A7 is just begging for. It will be interesting to see if Audi produces one, given the inevitable competition with it and the Porsche Panamera.

One thing is clear from the spy photos - white is not flattering to the A7's design and profile. Not in the least. What is more important though is what is under the hood of this car.

It is likely to be the 4.2-liter FSI V-8 sourced from the Audi R8. Another possibility is a variation of the new 4.0-liter V-8 optional on the 2012 Bentley Continental GT.

Regardless, it is likely to have an output of around 450 horsepower, a nice bump from the A7's current top engine. The current range topper is a V-6 with a relatively weak 300 hp output.

Stay tuned for more details soon, especially if this one is coming to the Paris Auto Show. For now check out the spy shot gallery of the S7 over at Autoblog.