If anyone criticizes the design of your Gen II or III Prius, please direct them to this site. In my very humble opinion this 65,000 dollar Audi is designed as a very poor mutant version the the Prius. Maybe it's just me but....... And how long will it take to pay for itself? Audi of America > 2012 Audi A7
Apples and oranges. The Audi is a high-end German luxury car. Maybe you could compare it to a Lexus GS.
I can't find EPA ratings on it on the Audi site: Audi of America > 2012 Audi A7 > Audi A7 Features and Specifications > Detailed Specifications It just says "N/A" which could mean either that they haven't figured it out yet (yet they DID manage to get the 0-60 times), fuel economy isn't an available feature on the A7, or possibly that they plan to certify it as a light truck?? I thought manufacturers are required to include EPA ratings for their passenger cars??
Still, why not apply the same criteria to a "Luxury" car? Plus, it's certainly not a handsome design.
The A7 is brand spanking new so there is likely little info. The pics that I have seen of the car are drop dead gorgeousness and I'm sure that it comes with all of the style and luxury that Audi does so well and that it is a joy to drive. I'm sure that it also comes with all of the problems and defects of an Audi/VW product as well and could be a terror to own. This is in my opinion a car to lease and not buy - if you are so inclined. As for the design - I don't think that it really has any link to the Prius - in most parts of the world a 5 door hatch (4 passenger and the trunk) is pretty standard - it is only Americans that stay away from them and wagons (which I love). It really has more in common with the swoopy Mercedes - the CLS - which I believe was the first luxury 5 door and also cars like the Porsche Panamera and BMW 5 Series GT (which is painfully ugly).
