First Audi show car overseen by Marc Lichte to debut at LA Auto Show

Audi has confirmed that the first show car to be overseen by its new head of design, Marc Lichte, will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show. Audi hasn't confirmed the exact time of the car's big reveal, but its press conference is scheduled for 9:00am on 19 November.

The news was accompanied by an official teaser image, which doesn't reveal a great deal about the new car, aside from the fact that it seems to be a large sedan or shooting brake. However, Audi has confirmed that the car "marks a new beginning in Audi Design – both exterior and interior."

Speaking to Auto&Design about the show car, Lichte said "Audi here is placing the accent even more firmly on the sporting dimension, something that will characterize the whole upcoming generation of cars. The new models will be immediately recognizable as Audis, starting with the signature single frame grille which will, however, also represent a major step forward in terms of sportiness."

Lichte, 45, began his career at Volkswagen AG in 1996 while still a student at Pforzheim University. He became head of exterior design studio in 2006 and worked on production models including the Golf 5, 6 and 7, the Passat 6, 7 and 8, the Touareg and the Phaeton. He was appointed as Audi's head of design in February 2014, replacing Wolfgang Egger, who was moved to head Italdesign.

Related article:
Who's Where?: Marc Lichte to head Audi Design, Wolfgang Egger moves to Italdesign

By Tom Phillips