Audi A5 to be shown at Geneva 2007, to feature new flexible MLP platform

A report by UK’s Autocar magazine says Audi’s A5 will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this year. Despite talk that the A5 will be a 4-door coupe competitor to the Mercedes Benz CLS, spy shots have suggested the Audi A5 will most likely a classic 2-door coupe, very sleek, very nice, very similiar to the previously exhibited Audi Nuvolari Concept pictured above. The Audi Nuvolari quattro Concept made it’s debut at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, so you can say 4 years later it will be reincarnated as the Audi A5!
Debuting for the first time is the usage of Audi’s new MLP platform, which stands for Modular Platform for longtitudinally mounted engines. Current Audis like the Audi A4 I tested last year has it’s engine positioned longtitudinally ahead of the front axle, hence the long front overhang and a very nose-heavy weight balance. Audi’s new MLP chassis has the engine mounted longtitudinally behind the axle, allowing for better weight balance. Combined with quattro, Audi has the ability to tune cars using the new MLP chassis to either understeer or oversteer or have neutral handling.
More photos of the Audi Nuvolari Concept after the jump. Click here to read the rest of Audi A5 to be shown at Geneva 2007, to feature new flexible MLP platform



A report from AP says that Volkswagen AG may conduct a due diligence audit on Proton as discussions on a possible tie-up including stake transfer progresses further. Recent newspaper reports have suggested that Volkswagen is the forerunner in the bid to partner with Proton. Volkswagen’s possible 51% purchase into Proton’s manufacturing unit is said to be worth RM 2 billion ringgit, which will result in Proton gaining knowledge through tech transfers as well as a capital injection. Initially, Volkswagen might use Tanjung Malim to assemble the Volkswagen Passat model for the Japan market, taking advantage of Malaysia’s free trade agreement with Japan.



This is What Car’s artist impression of the upcoming CLS fighter by BMW. What the car is to be called seems to be divided between the 8-series and the X6. Autobild of Germany has also done a similiar 



