Huge Audi concept to preview A9

This is the new Audi A9. Or rather, we think it is. As drip-fed concept car teaser images go, this one surely wins the award for ‘most parsimonious use of lighting'. It could be anything, were it not for those glistening four rings at each end.

Expect much, much brighter lighting to illuminate this car when it debuts at the Los Angeles motor show next month. Audi's not actually told us it's an A9 concept, but it's clearly quite a long car with a commodious wheelbase, and its slick window line doesn't suggest the height of an SUV.

So what will an A9 actually be? The latest entrant into the four-door coupe market, that's what. A slinkier A8 if you will, Audi's soberly styled but smartly appointed limo gaining a more swish sibling for those who want to shout a little more about their arrival at a red carpet or Premier League stadium.

It should also do very well in the US and China, markets which lap up humongous cars.

The Ingolstadt crew tells us this concept ‘heralds a new era for Audi design', displaying the new design language brought in by new doodler (well, Head of Design, no less) Marc Lichte.

‘Sportiness, lightweight design and quattro drive' will all play a big part in Lichte's design, we're told. If the latter means big box arches on everything, we're on board.

Lichte has a pretty stocky CV, with plenty of big hitters at VW - he can take credit for the last three Golfs, the Touareg and the Phaeton.

We'll find out more about the probably-A9 at the LA show next month.