Germany
Audi has revealed the third generation of the Q7, its traditional combustion-engined flagship SUV. It is built on an updated MLB Evo platform at the company’s plant in Bratislava, Slovakia. Pre-orders open in June and deliveries begin in September. Audi showed a high-performance SQ7 for the US at the same time.
Different engines for different markets
In Europe, the Q7 launches with a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel backed by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, in two outputs - 245 or 299 hp. Both drive through an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic and quattro all-wheel drive.
The United States gets petrol power instead: a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 with 435 hp, which Audi quotes at 0-96.6 km/h (60 mph) in 4.8 seconds. Above it sits the SQ7, with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 600 hp and 800 Nm and a 0-96.6 km/h time of 3.7 seconds.
Design
The new Q7 wears split-level headlights, a large grille without chrome surround, and T-shaped tail lights linked by a full-width light bar. The indicators project onto the road. Wheels span 20 to 23 inches.
Interior
The Q7 can be ordered with five, six or seven seats. The dashboard carries three screens - the instrument cluster, central multimedia, and a separate display for the front passenger. A panoramic roof with switchable opacity and ventilated, massaging front seats are on the options list.
Pricing
In Germany the Q7 starts at €87,900. Prices for the SQ7 and the US-market versions will be announced later.
