Audi reveals new Q7 12 | 12 | 2014
THIS IS THE all-new Audi Q7 which will make its debut at the Detroit Motor Show later this month. The Ingolstadt behemoth has shed a whopping 325kg in weight over its predecessor in 328bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine form, now tipping the scales at 1970kg.
Audi engineers carved 100kg from the Q7’s suspension and managed to shed an additional 71kg from the body: 24kg of that saving comes in the form of aluminium doors.
On-sale in the UK from the middle of this year, the new Q7 now boasts a bold new look, with a new single-frame grille similar in design to that recently brought to the facelifted Q3. In addition there's more heavily defined wheelarches, a more prominent shoulder and numerous crease lines within the flanks, all of which help to reduce its visual bulk.
The Q7's aerodynamics have also undergone significant improvements. Not only is there now extensive use of underbody cladding, but on certain models elements within the grille that automatically close to reduce wind turbulence when engine bay cooling is not required. The result is a drag coefficient of 0.32 for the new Q7.
The new Audi is 370mm shorter and 15mm narrower than its predecessor, making it 5050mm long, 1970mm wide and 1740mm tall. It also has a shorter wheelbase, albeit by just 10mm, to 2990mm.
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Despite the reduction in scale, Audi stresses the new Q7 is just as spacious inside the cabin. While continuing to offer seating for up to seven occupants, the interior has been significantly altered.
Clever restyling now means there's not only an extra 21mm between the first and second rows of seats, but a respective 41mm and 23mm of headroom. Audi also says the third row of seats offer 24mm more headroom and 20mm more shoulder room than before.
In keeping with the highly contemporary style of the latest TT, the Q7's dashboard has minimal switchgear, free-standing infotainment monitor and a digital instrument binnacle. There's also a prominent centre console with a newly designed MMI controller and gear selector.
From the start of sales in the UK, buyers will be able to choose from a turbocharged 268bhp, 3.0-litre V6 in the 3.0TDI , and a supercharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 with 328bhp and 324lb/ft in the 3.0TFSI.
Both engines are fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, as well as Audi’s torque-sensing quattro four-wheel drive system – the latter providing a nominal 40/60 apportioning of drive front to rear.
The topseller in the UK, the 3.0TDI, will return 49.6mpg at the pumps, according to Audi, and emit just 149g/km of CO2. It'll also hit 62mph in 6.3secs and carry on to a top speed of 142mph. Oveall, the figures are improved by 11.4mpg, 146g/km 1.6secs and 8mph.
Both variants are capable of towing up to 3500kg.
The 3.0TDI Ultra will also be introduced to the range at a later date. Running a less highly tuned version of the turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, it will develop 215bhp and 369lb/ft.
The new Audi rides on a standard steel suspension, although buyers can specify option air suspension. Also standard are 18-inch wheels with 235/55 tyres.
Related: Audi reveals facelifted A1
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Jim McGill