Auto Spies Picks The BEST in Style And Design Award Winner 2012. Can You Guess This Year's Car?

You can't be a past or present Apple employee and not be a fan/critic of great design.

It's in our blood.

And in the world of cars it's no different.

A vehicle can do everything right but if it doesn't look good too, it's a miss.

There are a lot of really good looking rides being introduced by the manufacturers but only ONE has what it takes to win the Auto Spies BEST in style and design award.

The one that got things JUST right.

Both inside and out.

This year's winner is....

The all new Audi A7 four door coupe.

Full 2012 Best Design And Style Award-Car Photo Gallery



In my opinion it evokes the same emotional beauty and takes the 4 door coupe design started by Mercedes with the first generation CLS to the next level.

Side by side against the NEW CLS we think Audi throws the knockout punch.

The CLS design is trying too hard to get attention in a 'Jersey Shore' kind of way whereas the A7 speaks- "I'm the everyman's Aston Martin Rapide"  and "Arrivederci Quattroporte"with it's timeless makeup.

From the second I saw it at the auto shows I was seduced and smittened.





So much so that you know I almost bought one for myself.

If my personal cars didn't sit so much in the driveway because we're always testing and reviewing new cars, the A7 would be my go-to daily driver.

I've had the pleasure to drive it in Europe and now in the USA and I can tell you with it's all new lightweight Audi technology, this is one Audi that can steal away even the most ardent BMW driver.

And if the reactions from the people who've seen me driving the streets of SoCal with it are any indication, this car will be on FIRE.

People were literally hanging out of their windows in traffic just to get a glimpse.

ESPECIALLY, the BMW drivers!





And TRUST me, if you drive it you will go GAGA for it!



The design is GOD-like!



You've always known Audi makes the highest quality interiors in the biz but the new stuff hitting the streets are as good as the best drivers on the planet.

Congratulations Audi on an absolutely outstanding product!









































Full 2012 Best Design And Style Award-Car Photo Gallery

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster Photo Gallery

2011 BMW 335d M-Sport Photo Gallery

2011 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Photo Gallery

Aston Martin V12 Zagato Photo Gallery

Fiat 500c Convertible Photo Gallery

aarononymous - 5/30/2011 7:57:06 PM

-5 Boost

yup, S-line at least...

racerf109 - 5/31/2011 11:37:14 AM

+8 Boost

I would have picked Mercedes SLS or exerior, and Jaguar Xj for interior.IMO.

IamEvilHomer - 5/30/2011 8:14:17 PM

-7 Boost

So many people on this site say they don't like the looks but we have people coming in every day saying they saw one on the street and had to come check them out.
If you see this car (Sline is the best) on the side of PCH like I did the other day it would be hard to not like the looks. The people checking it out must have liked it also. It did turn heads. Before you make a call on the looks go check one out (if the dealer has any)

Good call 001 I take my Jab Jab back.

Agent001 - 5/30/2011 9:33:25 PM

-4 Boost

@blazinboy,

Give me a break.

The last Audi you probably drove in was an Audi 5000.

The new lightweight cars are spectacular.

001

DeutschlandV8 - 5/30/2011 9:19:36 PM

+13 Boost

The A7 looks like an SUV next to that C class.

Agent001 - 5/30/2011 9:33:55 PM

-10 Boost

And the C-Class looks 50 years old next to it.

001

IamEvilHomer - 5/31/2011 10:40:46 AM

-1 Boost

Funny how many people on this site claim to be formula 1 drivers

chewy - 5/31/2011 2:53:31 PM

+3 Boost

The A7 has 54/46 weight distribution and the GT-R has 53/47 weight distribution.

weaponX - 5/30/2011 10:39:31 PM

+9 Boost

It's a looker and I hope it looks just as good in the rearview mirror, because that's what the CLS and the 5-series driver will be seeing as it blasts past the Audi. Yup, you guessed it, it's a little too slow. Fuel economy is not much of a priority in my car-buying decision (the E60 M5 was my dd). But a sedan, regardless of size, regardless if it's the factory-tuned version, should at least be hitting 60 in less than 5 sec. RS7 with dual clutch. Now you're talking.

IamEvilHomer - 5/31/2011 10:51:05 AM

-4 Boost

The 4.0 supercharged will be in the RS I am sure. I guess I must be crazy because the A7 felt good at 250 on the a92 from Munich to Inglestat a few weeks back. I am excited to see the S/RS though.

MBdude - 5/30/2011 10:44:11 PM

+8 Boost

Wow... With all due respect, I just don't see where you're getting your vibe with this car. I'm not feeling it all.

I sat it at the Los Angeles Auto Show last winter. While the interior was certainly impressive (as expected from Audi), I didn't feel the exterior styling was innovative or groundbreaking in the least. Didn't push any of my buttons whatsoever.

And I usually get taken in by new designs from the Germans. This one just didn't make it for me. (Sorry).

IamEvilHomer - 5/31/2011 10:54:41 AM

-8 Boost

They are enough that several brands are copying them. It took a few hours and MB had a LED strip on about every car they sold.

BondMI6 - 5/30/2011 11:18:18 PM

+1 Boost

But the real question is.............

For 80k would you rather have a fully loaded A7 or........

A V6 Panamera for 10-15k more.

The Panamera is just as fast, has a better interior and is a more unique setup all the way around. That would be my choice.

mclaren428 - 5/31/2011 11:09:01 AM

+3 Boost

Technically Porsche is not part of VW yet, and the panamera was developed before VW’s attempt to acquire Porsche.

Agent001 - 5/30/2011 11:51:43 PM

-3 Boost

Remember ladies, this award is for STYLE and DESIGN, not the best performing 4 door on the planet.

Although I'm a huge fan of the Porsche, BEAUTY and PANAMERA doesn't necessarily go in the same sentence.

001

Lexus - 5/31/2011 1:21:03 AM

+10 Boost

Nope this thing is freaking UGLY and it look almost like every Audi out there except it longer. The back end look really weird from the side view. I would rather take the old or last generation MB CLS any day over this VW or Audi.

I love Audi but they need to differentiate their cars more. One of my client have a brand new VW Passat and it look like the Audi A4. What with that?

528i - 5/31/2011 4:27:00 AM

+2 Boost

blazinboy all over this form..lol

Anyways, I agree 001 its a good looking car and a head turner.

OBie - 5/31/2011 9:50:52 AM

+2 Boost

Wait, this isn't a BMW... I'm confused. I must say that the new A7 looks much better in person than in these pics. (Oh, and I agree that the Panamera is f@%king hideous, anyone that says it's beautiful obviously has "badge-goggles" on).

cs4444 - 5/31/2011 9:56:49 AM

+12 Boost

I have seen the new A7 in person, and while it looks nice...it's not much different looking than the rest of the line up. Which is why I question why anyone would give it a design award.

The only thing that stands out on the car is the rear, and its UGLY!

94geo - 5/31/2011 10:39:34 AM

+11 Boost

Head lights, grill, rear profile, pop-up nav, climate control buttons, lexus style side mirrors...Styling features I do not like.

Steering wheel-Styling features I do like.

merce63amg - 5/31/2011 11:12:13 AM

+9 Boost

Who was last years winner?? Or is this a made up award to market another VW product on this site?

carE10 - 5/31/2011 3:21:46 PM

+8 Boost

The front end design looks dated already.

JUGNU - 5/31/2011 4:17:48 PM

+2 Boost

Rear is only little better than Panamera's. Front end is good but looks like every other Audi so not very special. Would take new CLS and even Panamera S(it is very ugly but considering full package) over it. It is not even the best looking Audi, i like the design of new A8 and A6(except tail lights) more.

Willis - 5/31/2011 8:26:56 PM

-2 Boost

Beautiful car.

After seeing it in the press photos I didn't like it at all. But when I saw it in person I changed my opinion about it in a heartbeat. It's a gorgeous car inside and out.

I also like the CLS and the upcoming BMW Gran Coupe. This market is heating up with gorgeous-looking cars.

veyron1001 - 6/1/2011 6:32:18 PM

+2 Boost

Looks like audi played tetris with a cross over.