Automobiles|2014 Los Angeles Auto Show: Audi's Prologue Concept Marks New ...

LOS ANGELES - What's next for Audi styling, which is due for a major update in the next year or two? The German automaker offered a sneak peek Wednesday at the 2014 Los Angeles auto show with the introduction of its flagship-size Prologue coupe concept. While there were no plans announced to put the Prologue into production, the company said its styling would influence the look of the next generation of A8, A7 and A6 models.

The Prologue introduction represented a coming-out party of sorts for Audi's new chief designer, Mark Lichte, who recently joined the brand from Volkswagen, where he headed the exterior design department. Mr. Lichte said he focused on a more free-flowing shape than exhibited in Audi's current lineup of crisp, angular shapes. The Prologue also offers a shorter, wider-looking grille with squinty headlights, a coupe-shape fastback roofline, winglike nose fins and muscular bulges around each wheel.

The silhouette is not unlike that of the A7, but the overall presentation evoked comparisons to current models from Aston Martin, and by association, similar Ford models. Audi said new designs for the A8, A7 and A6, incorporating the Prologue's look, have already been approved by the company's board and are locked in for production.

Ulrich Hackenberg, a member of Audi's board who was present for the introduction, called the Prologue 'a signature car for Audi.'

Audi said the Prologue was powered by a 605-horsepower engine capable of propelling it to 62 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds.