After launching the Q3 Cabriolet Audi has revealed the India bound Audi Q7 ahead of its world premiere at Detroit motor show next month but first glance has been surfaced online without any sort of camouflage. Audi Q7 which is among the top selling cars for Audi is getting a facelift nearly after the gap of 9 years which is comparatively 325 kg lighter than its previous model and hence look less muscular. Q7 will go on sale by mid-2015 in Europe while it will make its way to India by the end of 2015.
Going by the images new Q7 features extensive use of aluminum and steel and looks sleek than before. This new SUV is based on new MLB Evo platform which is a condensed version of Audi’s existing MLB structure. Audi Q7 is slightly smaller as well with dimensions of 5050mm long, 1970mm width and 1740mm height, new Q7 is –15mm narrow and –37mm short than the previous model. Despite of shortened dimensions Audi still claims that Q7 has a roomier and longer cabin than before.
Design wise new Q7 looks sharper with rounded edges but it retained the conventional design of 3D effect single frame grille with Audi’s logo. Front fascia is now configure with features with BI-xenon LED or matrix headlights as standard as optional and LED headlamps as standard, side profile of Q7 have been retained except the new alloy wheels and roof line at rear looks fairly lower than its predecessor.
Like the front fascia rear profile looks sharper now thanks to new rectangular shaped taillights which complement the design elements. Inside the cabin new Q7 is stands on typical Audi design cues with driver focused layout and chunky gearbox.
On entertainment front Q7 features all new MMI infotainment system with Google play and apple play interfaces. Large touchscreen display has been moved out from the central console to the top of the dashboard with all new touch interface at the central console. Apart from that Q7 gets all new a 23 speaker B&O surround audio system; throttle gear lever and sporty steering wheel with multi utility buttons.
Under the hood, new Q7 will be offered with higher spec 3.0L TDI diesel engine that produces 272bhp power and 600Nm torque help it reaching 0-100 km mark in just 6.3 seconds. Lower spec diesel trim create 218Nm torque and 500Nm torque.
Moving on to the petrol engines, European markets will get 3.0L TFSI petrol engine which is good to produce 333bhp power and 440Nm torque which sprints 0-100 km in just 6.1 sec with 250km/hr as top speed while India would get lower spec 2.0L TFSI petrol engine which churns out 252bhp power and 370NM of peak torque.
This new Q7 make its debut with e-tron plug-in hybrid variant which is responsible to produce 373bhp power and 700Nm torque. All the above mentioned engines will be mated to 8 speed automatic transmission and Quattro system as standard.
It will be priced higher than the current model and will compete with Porsche cayenne and Land rover Range rover.
