Audi Prototype Crashes Outside Nurburgring

I'm trying to figure out what's up with the A7 moniker. Is that a direct reference to strong competition against BMW's 7 series or a declaration that the A8 is too expensive and an A7 will provide nearly all its features and benefits of the A8 without the high price. This could also be an excuse to offer an A8 in steel instead of aluminum so that it could be sold at a lower price. I am now driving a Passat instead of an A6 and I am prepared to eventually buy a Phaeton instead of an A8 in spite of the fact that the A8 is one of my very favorite cars.