But, despite stunning exterior styling and impressive performance credentials, it's the Avantissimo's interior that steals the show. It's a dazzling mix of sporty opulence and electronic gadgetry. There is an abundance of dark wood and light nubuck leather, but it evokes imagery neither of a gentlemen's club nor of the boardroom. The interior styling is inspired by furniture of the 1960s and from luxury yachts. Dashboard, center console and armrests are fashioned using a 3D approach that lifts them from their backgrounds to emphasize the features of the materials used.
A new glass roof stretches all the way to the rear to create a light and airy feel to the interior. But fear not. Wealthy types with an aversion to the midday sun can shut out the rays with an LCD dimming system.
Everything in the vehicle is adjustable electronically-from the height of the armrests to the mood lighting strips incorporated into the roof. If you want to create more room to fit your golf clubs in alongside that cello, you needn't disturb the creases in your Ralph Lauren golfing slacks fumbling around in the back. At the flick of a remote control switch the rear seats fold themselves away to reveal a completely flat load space. And, as if that weren't enough, the load deck will actually glide out to meet your golf clubs, saving you the effort of shoving them in yourself. The finer things in life indeed!
Audi reckons this sort of automation is a key factor at the top end of the market. Avantissimo drivers may enjoy a round of golf, or off-piste skiing, but they certainly don't want to exert themselves rearranging the interior of their car.
The sporting luxury theme is also carried through to the cockpit, where driver focus is the name of the game. "This is not a chauffeur's car," said Sauvant, who envisages a hands-on type behind the wheel. The luxury-yacht theme is quite evident here, with F1 gearshift paddles adding to the sporting emphasis.
Sauvant is one of those articulate designers that likes to create visual imagery to accompany his creations. For example, he described his vision of the center console as a highly polished dining table, set with silver cutlery and fine white porcelain. And indeed, while white may be an unusual color choice for cockpit controls, it contrasts perfectly with the dark wood of the console and the polished silver bevels, serving to create Sauvant's desired sense of fine living.
At the base of the center console lies the new MMI, or multimedia interface. This is Audi's answer to the overwhelming number of controls necessary for the increasing array of on-board gadgetry. All media is managed from one central, menu-driven system-audio, phone, internet access, navigation, etc., can all be selected at the touch of a button and adjusted with a single central control. Its location in front of the armrest is more ergonomically sensible than current dashboard-mounted knobs and dials, and the display screen has been raised to minimize driver distraction from the road.
MMI is another Avantissimo feature that will make its production appearance in the new A8, and showcasing it was one of the three pillars supporting the creation of the concept. The other two were to test opinion towards an Avant in the luxury segment and to visualize ideas for future Avants across Audi's full range.
So what are the findings? "Too early to tell," said Sauvant. Marketing types are working feverishly on feedback and figures to assess feasibility. Its appearance at the Detroit Auto Show will provide an important measure of U.S. opinion. The U.S. is not a strong market for station wagons in general and for upmarket versions in particular. However, Sauvant's personal view is that the Avantissimo's style could provide the all-important differentiation. "It communicates wealth and taste alongside an active lifestyle," he said, "which I think is very appealing to the U.S. market.
"It's also distinctively European," he continued, "and would be well received by U.S. customers interested in European cars."
If he's right, there are a few folks out there who would be well advised to invest in a new set of golf clubs and to take up cello lessons.