2019 Audi A7 is tech lover's fastback fantasy

After a long but graceful first act, the second-generation for Audi's A7 arrives this fall.

Similar in form, but very different in detail, the 2019 Audi A7 has a much crisper and more aggressive appearance.

It may not look all-new, but it is, from its platform to its new hybridized powertrain and next-gen infotainment.

The A7's trademark design feature remains its sloping fastback, which makes for both high fashion and substantial cargo-carrying utility at the expense of some rear-seat headroom.

The new A7's nose is notably more pugnacious than before, with a more sharply defined hexagonal grille.

Note the lidar laser-radar sensor boxes mounted within.

The new A7 features a low-slung dashboard, but it's totally different than before, largely because it contains MMI Touch Response and the two haptic-feedback touchscreens required to run it.

The A7's engine is a 3.0-liter V6 as before, only this time, the new engine is turbocharged instead of supercharged, plus it is hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox instead of a conventional eight-speed torque-converter automatic.

There's also the not-insignificant matter of the new powertrain's 48v mild hybrid assist.

Fuel economy ratings have not yet been released for the new A7, but given that it's lost a little bit of weight and has new a mild hybrid system, it's probably fair to assume it will best the outgoing model's 20 miles per gallon city, 29 highway and 23 combined.

Likewise, pricing has not yet been released, but we hear whispers that the new model won't be much more expensive than today's car. That suggests a starting price of around $70,000 to $75,000.

While US customers won't yet get Audi's amazing active laser-high-beam Matrix LED headlamps, we will still get powerful LED units that feature sweeping turn signals and start-up and shut-down theatrics.

Yep, it's an A7 alright.

Spot the hidden camera.

Yep, that's a lidar sensor.

Keep clicking or scrolling for more images of the 2019 Audi A7.

As before, the A7 features active aerodynamics, with a small wing that deploys at speed.

See?

Here's a closer look.

US models aren't expected to get this sort of numeric badging, though a standalone TFSI badge isn't out of the question.

Fingerprints are a way of life with this new system.