2020 Audi Q7
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Facelift adds mild design changes and new technology
The 2020 Audi Q7 is the facelifted version of the second-generation midsize SUV. It’s an update to the hauler that Audi launched in 2015, and although it’s not a major overhaul on the outside, it features a heavily updated interior and new engines. It also comes with new driving assist features, mostly seen on recent redesigns, and more luxury options. As usual, it’s available with both gasoline and diesel powertrains, but the oil burners aren’t offered in the United States. Let’s find out more about the premium German SUV in the review.
Latest Audi Q7 news and reviews:
Audi Was Forced To Recall A Whole Bunch of Vehicles for the Craziest Reason
As cars get more complex and high-tech, recalls are seemingly becoming more common nowadays. Audi is yet another prime example of this as the company announces a recall affecting a swath of 2021 and 2022 models due to issues surrounding their rearview cameras.
Does The Audi Q7 V-12 Have Enough Oomph To Beat The Torquey-Audi E-Tron?
We’ve been seeing Teslas extirpate internal combustion-engined for the longest time. With the Model S Plaid, it has gotten as brutal as it can get. EVs have surely set the bar high and cars sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in over six seconds are considered slow, but that doesn’t necessarily mean all EVs are performance machines. The Audi e-Tron Sportback, is one of them. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not slow by any means, but it’s not quick like most of the Teslas either.
So, to have a fairly competitive race, the folks at Carwow pit the Audi e-Tron Sportback 55 against an Audi Q7 V-12 for a series of drag and rolling races. Can a mighty V-12 beat two electric motors?
2021 Audi SQ7 TFSI by ABT
ABT is back with another Audi build, this time for the SQ7. The automaker recently ditched the diesel engine from this vehicle and dropped an even more powerful V-8 gasoline mill under the hood. In the standard form, the SUV comes with 500+ horses, which is already on the higher end. So, ABT decided to give this bit a skip for this build and went ahead with making changes to the interior and the exterior. The aesthetic changes are significant and make the already-hot SQ7 even hotter.
2020 Audi SQ7
The 2020 Audi SQ7 is the facelifted, range-topping version of the second-generation midsize SUV. Unveiled alongside its regular sibling, the 2020 SQ7 sports a revised front fascia and a new interior borrowed from the Q8. More importantly, it’s the first iteration of the SQ7 that features a gasoline engine. Launched in 2016, the SQ7 was a diesel-only model up until now. The gas-powered 2020 SQ7 features a turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 engine that generates 500 horsepower, making it the most powerful Q7 model yet. It’s also the quickest to 62 mph. The arrival of the 2020 SQ7 gives Audi a proper alternative to the BMW X5 M50i and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 580. Find out more about this high-performance SUV in the review below.
2020 Audi Q7
The 2020 Audi Q7 is the facelifted version of the second-generation midsize SUV. It’s an update to the hauler that Audi launched in 2015, and although it’s not a major overhaul on the outside, it features a heavily updated interior and new engines. It also comes with new driving assist features, mostly seen on recent redesigns, and more luxury options. As usual, it’s available with both gasoline and diesel powertrains, but the oil burners aren’t offered in the United States. Let’s find out more about the premium German SUV in the review.
The 2020 Audi Q7 Has An Updated Design and New Tech, But Does It Look Worse Than Before?
People’s opinions of how good Audi cars look are remarkably varied - some think nothing on four wheels looks cooler, while others don’t appreciate their extra chiseled features and massive grilles. The current Audi Q7 SUV was one of the least polarizing models they sold, striking a great balance between being flashy and subdued. Now, however, it’s gone under the knife for the customary facelift and what has resulted from this nip and tuck doesn’t look as good as what went into the operating room in the first place.
Audi Traffic Light Information System Will Tell you How Fast to Go to Catch a Green Light
Audi has offered a system called Traffic Light Information (TLI) on some of its models since 2015 (in cities where vehicle-to-vehicle V2I infrastructure was implemented), and now it is adding a new supporting system to it called Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA). It is available on post-2017 model year A4 and Q7 models and, on paper, it sounds really useful as it recommends what speed you should travel at in order to catch “the green wave.”
Audi Spills the Beans on 2019 Model Updates
Audi is gearing up for a raft of changes throughout its model range in 2019 that sees a number of cars get their facelifts done while adding some new models to the lineup like the e-Tron SUV.
German automaker Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, is currently fighting an uphill battle against its core rivals in the executive and luxury segments. Audi’s global sales figure barely went up by 0.6% last year and, while 2018 stats look better, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are still the key reference points. In the U.S., Audi’s growth is a bit more visible, sitting at about 7.75% between 2016 and 2017, with the current trend seemingly still strong on its feet.
Mercedes GLE vs Audi Q7
Midsize SUVs and crossovers are hugely desirable these days, even more so if they wear a premium badge like Mercedes’ all-new GLE does. But being so desirable also means that all manufacturers want as big a slice of the market to themselves as possible, and these models have become increasingly talented in recent years, so it’s a hugely competitive segment.
The GLE is all-new for 2019, so the engineers and designers behind it have had time to study the previous model and models already on sale, learn from them, and try to improve. Once such very talented rival is the Audi Q7 which, in its current generation (introduced in 2016,) is arguably one of the best vehicles in its class, even if it’s by no means a flamboyant effort.
Despite being direct rivals, the two adopt very different styles both inside and out, offering visually different solutions to the problem of creating a modern midsize SUV.
Audi Unveils New Autonomous Concept At CES, Promises Production Model in 2020
German automaker Audi has revealed a new Piloted Driving concept at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show. Developed in cooperation with Nvidia, which provided artificial intelligence for the self-driving car, the new Piloted Driving model is based on the Q7 SUV and brings Audi’s autonomous system closer to production stage.
The autonomous SUV is the fifth concept in a long line of Piloted Driving experimental vehicles that goes back to 2014. It all started with RS7, which was also used to lap the Nurburgring, and in early 2015 the German company unveiled a similar vehicle based on the Prologue concept. Later that year, Audi rolled out a version based on the now-discontinued R8 E-Tron electric supercar, while 2016 brought an improved version built around the A7 sedan. In 2010, a very early version of the system was used in a TTS that piloted itself up the Pikes Peak course.
The Q7 Piloted Driving is a more advanced version of Audi’s upcoming autonomous system, using new "deep learning" technology for handling real-road complexities. The vehicle uses what Audi describes as "neural networks" and "end-to-end deep learning" on Nvidia’s latest artificial intelligence platform to navigate complex road courses. The Piloted Driving concept can learn from both the road and the driver and can now handle all sorts of upredictable scenarios, including roadblocks, construction sites, and changes in weather.
Displayed in the Gold Lot, adjacent to the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the vehicle was showcased performing several laps around a closed course, with the configuration of the track modified in the middle of the demonstration. Audi says it will expand testing of the Piloted Driving technology on public roads in California and select states in the U.S. before launching the world’s first vehicle to meet standards of Level 3 automation (as defined by SAE International) to the market.
This won’t happen until 2020, but meanwhile Audi will introduce Traffic Jam Pilot, which uses a central driver assistance controller, with NVIDIA hardware and software, in the next-generation A8. This system will give drivers the option to turn over steering, throttle, and braking functionality to the vehicle at speeds of up to 35 mph when certain conditions are met.
Continue reading for the full story.
2016 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI by CL by Christian Lübke
The Audi Q7 broke into the scene in 2007 and with its arrival, it marked a turning point in the German automaker’s future. It was the company’s first SUV and its success paved way for Audi to fill up its own SUV lineup. Nine years later, the Q7 has gone through numerous updates and drivetrains, but what remains is the model’s appeal and popularity. Those two qualities are likely what drew Christian Lübke to create a tuning program for the full-sized Q7 3.0 Diesel, one that features an engine upgrade that nets an output of 320 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque.
Developed under the CL by Christian Lübke brand, the kit also features a new set of wheels and most importantly, a bespoke exhaust system that Lübke has the ability to turn the traditionally muted diesel engine sound into a throaty, musical V-8 roar.
That’s pretty much the whole gist of the tuning kit. There are some cosmetic racing decals but other than that, there’s nothing else. It’s admittedly lacking in terms of quantitative upgrades, but the quality is definitely there, and there are only 100 units of the bespoke exhaust system that the tuner is making available.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Audi Q7 3.0 Diesel by CL by Christian Lübke.
2017 Audi Q7 Gets New 2.0 Liter Four-Cylinder Engine
The 2017 model year marked a couple of firsts for the Audi Q7. The most important of which was probably the introduction of the e-tron badge. The e-tron model takes the 3.0-liter TDI and a 94 kW electric motor to churn out 373 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The first hybridized diesel from Audi is also the most powerful engine available. On the other side of the spectrum, however, is this new 2.0-liter, gasoline-drinking, four-banger. As the first four—cylinder to be offered in the Q7, it can’t be compared to the power offering from the outgoing model, but Audi Claims it is 22-percent more fuel efficient that the 2015 model with the 3.0T V-6.
This new 2.0-liter is backed by Audi’s eight-speed Tiptronic transmission that carried over from the outgoing model. To help reduce fuel consumption, Audi enhanced the exhaust manifolds integration, made improvements to the Audi valvlift system, and introduced some sort of “innovated thermal management” system. All told, the Q7 with the 2.0T is said to have an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg combined, is almost 500 pounds lighter that the outgoing 3.0T and can pull up to 4,400 pounds with the optional towing package.
The Q7 2.0T comes standard with Quattro all-wheel drive and will be available in Premium and Premium plus trim levels starting in early 2017. Pricing will be set at $49,000 for the Premium and will increase to $53,000 in Premium Plus form.
Continue reading for the full story.
Audi Becomes the First Brand to Offer Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Connectivity Services
Audi likes to believe it is changing the world for the better, and it has now announced the latest development in its Audi Connect Prime services. This newest feature, which is being offered in conjunction with Traffic Technology Services, is called Traffic Light Information, and will apparently allow equipped Audi models to connect with the traffic light infrastructure in certain cities. The 2017 Audi Q7, Audi A4, and A4 Allroad will be the first models to get this new technology.
To put things simply, this technology will allow the car to receive real-time signal information from advanced traffic management systems across the United States. The link is created via the on-board LTE data connection and Traffic Technology Services’ company servers. For now, this feature will allow equipped vehicles to display the amount of time left before a traffic signal changes from red to green. It will be displayed in the driver information center and on the heads-up display if equipped.
Pom Malhotra, the General Manager of Connect Vehicles, said, “This feature represents Audi’s first step in vehicle-to-infrastructure integration. In the future, we could envision this technology integrated into vehicle navigation, start / stop functionality and can even be used to help improve traffic flow in municipalities. These improvements could lead to better overall efficiency and shorter commuting times.”
The city side of these services are set to roll out in fall of 2016 in select “smart cities” and metropolitan areas and new areas will be added “through 2017 and beyond.” Q7, A4, and A4 Allroad models built after June 1st will have the feature available when equipped with Audi Connect Prime services.
Keep reading for the rest of the story.
Audi Confirms New A8 For 2017, One Electric Model A Year Starting 2018
It’s no secret that Audi has been performing quite well lately. Despite all the setbacks, the brand delivered a total of 1.8 million cars last year and now aims to do even better this year. So far, between January and April, the brand sold 620,100 Audi models, representing an increase of 4.9 percent over the previous year. To keep things going at such a strong pace, Audi is on a mission to launch new or upgraded models as quickly as possible. These models include the next Audi A8, the Audi Q7 e-Tron Quattro, and a new all-electric SUV.
All three models I’ve mentioned are a pretty big deal for the four rings, but each one represents a benchmark for the brand. The Audi A8 will be the first production model from Audi that is capable of piloted driving at up to 37 mph with what Audi is calling “traffic-jam pilot.” So, the A8 will help the brand transition from partial to highly automated driving, with the expectation of fully automated driving by 2025.
Moving onto Audi’s electrification strategy, there are two big things coming our way. First is the Audi Q7 e-Tron Quattro. It will be the brand’s second plug-in hybrid and is said to achieve better than 117 mpg on the U.S. scale or two liters per 100 km on the European scale. Furthermore, it will be capable of all-electric travel for up to 56 km, or about 35 miles. More importantly, however, is the all-electric SUV that will launch in 2018. It will be Audi’s first fully electric large-series vehicle and, according to Audi, will have a range of 310 miles. It will be produced in Brussels along with the batteries that will power it.
Continue reading for the full story.
Loren Angelo Talks About The Audi SQ7 And Its Role In The Next Captain America Film
Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, has been seen in Audi vehicles since 2008, with the superhero driving cars like the Audi R8 Spyder and the Audi R8 e-tron. In the upcoming Captain America: Civil War film, Iron Man will be seen rocking out the all-new, 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus. But it’s Captain America and his new 2017 Audi SQ7 that is getting the most attention so far.
Audi has already been celebrating the SQ7’s role in the movie with a new television advertisement, but just recently, we’ve also seen it in the longer video titled The Chase that depicts an entertaining chase scene from the upcoming film. Loren Angelo, the Director of Marketing for Audi of America, has said the SQ7 is “ideal” because of its technology and performance capabilities, but he’s now opened up a bit more about Audi’s role in the upcoming film.
In a recent press release, Angelo said, “It’s perfect to put our brand into these settings and be able to demonstrate how Audi is a component of the action and excitement that the Avengers represent. Whether it’s the SQ7 or A4 or R8, the brand is part of the story. Audiences see the four rings, and consumers have associated them with blockbuster movie action. The Avengers represent high-level technology, and Audi is the vehicle that carries them into the action as they are saving the world.”
Needless to say, the Avengers are big fans of Audi, and it looks like we’ll be seeing Audi vehicles in Marvel movies for a long time to come. Superheroes need fast cars, and Audi has continued to deliver time and time again.
Continue reading for the rest of the story.
2017 Audi SQ7
It has been over a year since we saw the new Audi Q7 debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, and we’ve been waiting to see the new SQ7 makes its debut. We saw the spy shots of the SQ7 testing in April of last year with almost no camo, but since then the SQ7 has faded away into the back of our minds. We thought the wait was going to last forever since we didn’t the SQ7 debut during the first press days of the 2016 Geneva Auto Show, but as it turns out, Audi decided to skip bringing it to the show. Instead, Audi pulled the sheet off of its new SQ7 at its headquarters in Ingolstadt.
At first, you might think Audi was a little lazy with the SQ7 – it does look almost identical to the Q7 that debuted last year. But, it has its own little differences on the outside, some new engine technology under the hood, and can be optioned as a five-seater or seven-seater. On top of that, this is the first time Audi is throwing the “S” treatment at its largest SUV, so it is something to be excited about.
So, now that Audi has finally released details about its largest S model let’s take a closer look at it. We have lots of details to cover – especially in the drivetrain department – so you might want to get comfortable.
Updated 03/03/2016: Audi dropped the official details on the new SQ7 TDI.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2017 Audi SQ7.
The Q7 is a child of the SUV craze that began picking up momentum in the mid-2000s. No longer were SUV constrained to automakers like Chevrolet or Ford. Sure, Mercedes had a couple SUVs in its lineup, but Merc already had a long history of building G-Wagens and such. Audi, like Porsche and BMW, shocked the industry with the arrival of three-row people haulers.
Audi pulled the covers off the Q7 for the 2006 model year. Thanks to its parent company Volkswagen, costs were shared between the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne thanks to a common chassis. Still, each of the three played to buyers in different segments.
The first-generation Q7 underwent its only major updating for the 2009 model year. A new face, updated rear end, and a redesigned dashboard helped the Q7 keep up with the times. And while you can still buy a first-generation 2015 Q7 in the U.S., Audi has an all-new model waiting to cross the pond.
The completely redesigned 2017 Q7 raises the bar several notches in one swoop. A handsome new design with sharpened angles and a more aggressive stance greats onlookers, while occupants inside are treated to what is likely one of Audi’s finest interiors. An all-digital gauge cluster, extensive aluminum trim, and a minimalistic design propel the Q7 into the latter half of the decade.
But the updated Q7 is still months away. Should customers hold off buying a wait for the swanky new SUV, or does the current 2015 Q7 still earnestly compete? To find out, I spent a week behind the wheel of a 2015 model, fitted with the 3.0-liter TDI V-6, quattro AWD, and an economy car’s MSRP worth of options and extras.
Continue reading for the full driven review
German carmaker Audi joined the ever-growing SUV market in late 2005, when it unveiled the Q7 full-size crossover SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Audi launched the SUV in North America for the 2007 model year and since then it has received numerous updates and a host of gasoline and diesel powertrains, ranging from 3.0-liter V-6s to massive 6.0-liter V-12s. As we venture into the 2016 model year, nine years since the first-generation Q7 debuted, the Germans are introducing a redesigned version of the SUV.
Boasting brand-new styling, a revamped cabin and updated powertrains, the 2017 Q7 also marks the debut of the nameplate’s first ever plug-in hybrid version. It took Audi about nine years to turn the concept it showcased in 2005 into a production model, but it seems the Germans finally did it. The Q7 e-tron is that much more important as it’s the first plug-in hybrid from Audi with a diesel engine. What’s more, it’s also the world’s first diesel hybrid in the premium SUV segment. Read on for the full details on Germany’s new luxury hauler.
Update 06/27/2019: Audi has refreshed the Q7 for the model year. Check out a break down of the changes in our review below.
Well, they do say that if you’re not crashing, you’re not learning.
At the very least, one Audi test driver learned a lesson or two about the upcoming 2016 Audi SQ7 during high-speed testing at the Nürburgring. YouTube user cvdzijden captured a minor mishap involving a prototype SQ7 at the exit of the Karussell hairpin. In the short video, the high-performance SUV gets a bit out of sorts, leaves the track and takes a dramatic bounce off the guardrail. The SQ7 doesn’t appear to be seriously damaged, and limps away with more bent dignity than sheet metal. A close look reveals what might be might a piece of diagnostic equipment hanging loose. My armchair analysis says that this was probably driver error rather than a vehicle malfunction. Check out the video!
The high-performance SQ7 is expected to join the 2014 Audi SQ5 in the lineup some time in 2016 as a 2017 model. In addition to the usual suite of upgraded brakes and suspension common to Audis with the "S" badge, the SQ7 will also feature an electrically driven turbocharger. It’s the first Audi production vehicle so equipped. Audi calls the system "E-Boost" (not to be confused with Ford’s EcoBoost) and it’s designed to eliminate turbo lag by using an electric motor to get the turbocharger up to speed when the engine is turning slowly.
Continue reading for more.
When I first saw the second-generation Audi Q7 at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, I honestly thought the Germans pulled some sort of prank on its buyers by replacing the SUV with a jacked-up wagon. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the new Q7 isn’t the significant improvement everyone expected it to be; I simply think it lost the imposing stature its predecessor had. However, I knew the Q7’s new appearance might work well with a high-performance model, which Audi promised it would bring into showrooms as its range-topping SUV. And that moment is seemingly getting closer, as our spy photographers captured what appears to be first Q7 to sport an "S" on its tailgate. Meet (what will soon become) the Audi SQ7!
As the name suggests, the SQ7 is to the Q7 what the SQ5 is to the Q5, and this involves a more potent drivetrain, a more aggressive body kit, and a dash of exclusivity on the inside. Expect Audi’s largest performance SUV yet to cross the pond to the U.S. for the 2016 model year. A European debut is likely to occur by the end of 2015.
Oh, you’re probably wondering what makes this SUV an SQ7. Keep reading to find out more about that.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Audi SQ7.
As we inch closer to the full-electric car taking the place of gasoline-fueled cars, we are seeing a transition to plug-in hybrids. These models give buyers a short EV distance and a standard hybrid setup for longer journeys. The Audi Q7 has already joined these ranks with the 2016 Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, and now it is spreading the e-tron love to China with the Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI.
I don’t know exactly why Audi decided to use a different engine in the China-spec Q7 e-tron, but I can only assume that it is because diesel engines are not popular there. In the U.S., we’ve had the same issues with diesel vehicles, but Audi’s never been overly shy about offering diesel-powered cars here.
How does this China-exclusive version of the Q7 e-tron stack up next to the already unveiled TDI version?
Find out by continuing to read my full review 2015 Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI.
Back in 2005, Audi decided it was time to throw its weight around in the full-size SUV market, unveiling the Q7 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The vehicle was made available for purchase later the following year.
Based on the same VW Group PL71 platform as the Vokswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, the Q7 has good roots for offering a premium, luxury ride with ample interior space. It even comes with a dose of SUV-style sportiness for those who like a bit of speed with their size. As Audi’s first SUV, the Q7 has spawned a number of smaller crossovers, including the Q5 and Q3. However, it remains Audi’s head honcho when it comes to crossovers.
Now Audi will offer the Q7 with a TDI plug-in hybrid drivetrain and quattro AWD. The Germans hope to retain the same levels of comfort, style, and speed as can be found in the non-electric variants, but with improved efficiency as well.
Called the Q7 e-tron quattro, this vehicle promises to point the way forward for the brand in terms of electrified drivetrains. Ingolstadt says this vehicle can do it all, but can it really?
Continue reading to learn more about the Audi Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI quattro.
Released in the 2007 model year in the U.S., the Audi Q7 initially came with a pair of engines: a 3.6-liter V-6 with 280 horsepower and a 4.2-liter V-8 with 350 horsepower. Now, as we head toward the 2016 model year, the folks at TopGear managed to convince a rep from Audi to spill the beans about the oft-rumored RS Q7, a high-output version of the large, fully redesigned SUV that will do battle with the X5 M and the Cayenne Turbo S.
The report is a little sketchy, as TG never identifies the source, but I hope it’s true. Just the thought of a lower-priced luxury-performance SUV coming in to undercut Bimmer is a great thing. Plus, the world is a better place with more Audi RS models.
But, will it actually happen?
Click past the jump to read my full review to find out what I think.
Note: Standard 2016 Audi Q7 pictured here.
Almost a decade since the first model was launched, Audi finally brought the 2016 Q7 full-size SUV at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Based on the reworked Audi MLB platform, the all-new Q7 sheds up to 700 pounds of weight compared with the first-generation model, also increasing its fuel efficiency by about 26 percent — not a hard thing to do considering that the first generation was an elephant on wheels. Shortly after the market launch, which should take place during the Spring of 2015, the new Audi SUV will receive a plug-in hybrid diesel variant, which the Ingolstadt carmaker says that it will return around 138 mpg according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).
The model’s proportions are completely different compared with the previous generation, with the 2016 Q7 being shorter and narrower while having almost the same height. From the distance it gives a very
like vibe, despite the fact that in terms of design motifs it is clearly an Audi. The single-frame grille is now wider and sits a bit lower, just like Audi’s new chief of design promised for all upcoming Audi models, while the headlights now feature either xenon, LED or Audi’s Matrix LED technology from the A8.
An all-new interior with higher perceived quality seems to adorn the vehicle, with the instrument panel now being separated horizontally into two colors. Despite being a tad shorter, the cabin of the 2016 Audi Q7 is a bit more welcoming in terms of space. With that in mind, the optional third row of seats is now certified as Group 3 child seats, meaning that most of the extra space has gone toward the first five passengers. Improved connectivity courtesy of the MMI navigation plus infotainment system is now available, since it also can connect the new Q7 to the Internet via LTE. All in all, the new Q7 is filled with technology and is much more fuel efficient, with the only major caveat being its rather bland and unprovocative exterior design.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Audi Q7.
Even though Audi was until recently a bit behind both BMW and Mercedes-Benz in terms of plug-in hybrids and road-going electric cars, the Ingolstadt manufacturer is now on the rebound. To make up for lost ground, Audi plans to roll-out a new plug-in hybrid model every year, albeit it oddly doesn’t mention the exact time period for the whole shebang. Apart from the e-tron-branded vehicles, the Audi is also working on purely electric cars to launch in the near future, confirming the recent rumor about an all-electric sports car and a crossover SUV running on nothing but batteries.
The above information was revealed at CES 2015, where strangely enough not a single plug-in hybrid or electric Audi concept car was in attendance, with the carmaker instead plugging its autonomous driving technology. Apart from developing an entire range of plug-in hybrid or fully-electric cars in the near future, Audi is also working hard to improve contactless charging for the aforementioned types of vehicles, with the greatest effort being placed into induction-based energy, something the German car manufacturer calls Audi Wireless Charging (AWC).
As the first plug-in hybrid vehicle from Audi was successfully-launched in 2014 in the shape of the A3 e-Tron model, the next road-going car using similar technology will apparently be part of the medium segment, although the carmaker declined to go into specifics. If I were to guess, Audi is probably talking about a plug-in hybrid 2016 Q7 to go on sale in 2015, even though I fail to see how that beast of an SUV could be ever considered as part of the "medium segment."
Click past the jump to read more about Audi’s future Plug-In Hybrid E-Tron models.
The Tesla Model X isn’t in production yet, nor has a production model even been revealed, but the all-electric SUV continues to be the focal point of many discussions. One of the latest comes from seekingalpha, a research website for investors (that requires an email subscription), in which a recent article suggests that Audi’s launch of the 2016 Q7 e-tron quattro plug-In hybrid could put Tesla’s third production vehicle in a hole.
This argument is centered on the waiting list where an estimated 23,000 potential buyers have laid down their refundable $5,000 deposits. The author seems to think that if the Q7 and its combination of a diesel engine and a plug-in hybrid powertrain arrive before the Model X, people will opt for the seven-passenger hybrid over the seven-passenger electric vehicle. More so, he believes that the price difference between the two vehicles, which he estimates to be around $35,000, people will buy the Q7 PHEV now as well as the proposed $35,000 Tesla Model III that is scheduled to debut in 2017.
Only time will tell if this theory plays out, but our best guess is this will not be the case. Sure, there might be a handful of customers who put their name on the list just looking for an efficient, three-row SUV, but at the same time, most of these people are probably looking for a fully electric vehicle rather than just the 35 miles of electric range the Q7 diesel PHEV is expected to deliver. On top of that, it would seem that Tesla buyers are willing to stay on their “invisible leash” (aka Tesla’s Supercharger) in order to enjoy zero-emission driving.
Regardless of which scenario plays out for the Tesla Model X, this is definitely an exciting time for SUV drivers where a variety of advanced plug-in utility vehicles are preparing to hit the market.
Click past the jump to read more about Audi’s future Q7 Plug-in Hybrid.
Audi joined the ever-growing SUV market in late 2005, when it unveiled the Q7 full-size at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Audi launched the SUV in North America for the 2007 model year and since then it has received numerous gasoline and diesel powertrains. Although the German brand showed a hybrid Q7 concept as early as 2005, Audi didn’t develop a production model for the first-generation Q7. The study came with a 4.2-liter, FSI engine and an electric motor that provided 150 pound-feet of extra torque. As Audi began testing the second-gen Q7 in 2014, a hybrid version of the SUV has finally started to take shape.
Our trusty paparazzi have just informed us that Audi is testing more than just regular SUVs, including a future hybrid. Now that Porsche has revealed its Cayenne S E-Hybrid, Ingolstadt is upping the ante with a fuel-sipping, yet still potent family hauler of its own and we have visual proof. Read on to get a first glimpse at the upcoming Q7 Plug-In Hybrid.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Audi Q7 Plug-in Hybrid.
The highly anticipated, next-generation Audi Q7 has yet to reveal its brand-new design, but a prototype vehicle spotted recently in Germany suggests development of the SUV is well underway, with no hurdles in sight. You probably remember Audi’s decision to send the SUV back to the design table because of its aggressive initial styling.
There’s a chance we’ll never find out the real reasons that prompted this setback, but the spy shots we just received in our inbox come to confirm the redesigned Audi Q7 isn’t something Batman would want to drive. And that’s because it won’t be out of this world when compared to its predecessor, and certainly not revolutionary in terms of styling.
Although the swirly camouflage keeps the details away from the eyes, we can clearly see the SUV is set to receive most of the styling cues seen on the smaller, facelifted Audis, including LED headlamps, large front grille and intakes, and reshaped front and rear bumpers. The big news is that the new Q7 will be a lot lighter, with the MLB platform rumored to help the vehicle lose at least 650 pounds.
The upcoming Q7 will receive four different powertrains, starting with the 3.0-liter TFSI and a revised turbodiesel unit. The range-topping SUVs will carry twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8s under their hoods, while a hybrid drivetrain will arrive to complete the lineup.
Click past the jump to read more about the future 2016 Audi Q7.
Last time we heard anything about the next-generation Audi Q7, the Germans were pushing the SUV back into development to rethink its design and make it less aggressive than initially planned.
Now, about two months after Audi pulled the plug on testing, a new Q7 prototype made its way onto the streets, basically confirming that the large SUV could be ready to step in and replace its dated predecessor.
There isn’t much to see with the vehicle under heavy camouflage, but the front fascia will be dominated by a large grille flanked by LED headlamps above and air intakes of considerable size below. Around the back, the whirly wrap hides Audi’s signature taillights, a revised tailgate and a new bumper.
As it has been confirmed earlier, the new Audi Q7 will ride on Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform (also slated to underpin Bentley’s upcoming SUV), which will help the vehicle lose more than 650 pounds compared to the model it replaces, due to the use of aluminum.
Click past the jump to read more about the next Audi Q7.
Ever since the upper-management shakeup at Audi last year, details have been murky on when the new A4 sedan and Q7 SUV would make their debuts. Well, as Car & Driver reports, the two popular vehicles have been redirected back into development.
The A4 was originally on track for a debut later this year with its menacing new look, but Audi’s head of R&D, Wolfgang Dürheimer, was unexpectedly “moved to another position within the Volkswagen Group” for apparently ruffling too many feathers in the short 10 months he occupied the position. Now Ulrich Hackenberg, Volkswagen’s R&D former front man, fills the role. Hackenberg made the call to postpone the A4’s launch in order to rework its styling and fine tune its suspension and assistance systems to ensure everything meets Audi’s ever-increasing expectations. It appears the A4 is rescheduled for the summer of 2015 with a hybrid version coming as well.
An oddly similar story surrounds the Q7. Another Audi executive named Wolfgang — this time Wolfgang Egger, Audi’s chief designer — was canned and replaced by yet another Volkswagen employee, Marc Lichte. Now both new in their positions, Hackenberg and Lichte are reworking the Q7 at the design level. Car & Driver’s insider reports the new design will be softer and less aggressive than Egger’s original plans. This is the Q7’s second delay attributed to its exterior design. There’s no real word on when the Q7 will eventually see production, but at this rate, we’re expecting it to fly and cure cancer.
Click past the jump to read more about the next Audi A4 and Audi Q7.
Until the new, lighter Audi Q7 hits showrooms, the British market gets to enjoy a new special-edition version of the current Q7. The new Q7 S Line Style Edition is built on the S line Plus trim and, despite tons of updates, it only includes a £1,500 ($2,500) price hike.
The new S Line Style Edition is offered with 21-inch wheels in a five-arm rotor design and painted a matte-titanium color. The model is further distinguished by stainless-steel underbody protectors and extended wheel arches, special bumpers with modified lower sections.
Customers can choose between seven exterior colors: Night black, Teak brown, Lava grey, Orca black, Graphite grey, Daytona grey or Scuba blue.
The new Audi Q7 S Line Style Edition is priced from £52,975 (about $88,000 at the current exchange rates) for the 245-horsepower model and up to £62,600 ($104,000) for the 340-horsepower version.
Click past the jump to read more about the standard Audi Q7.
Quite frankly, we can’t wait to see what the new and lighter Audi Q7 is going to look like. But until then, we’re going to have to settle with these special-edition models that the German company has just released for the UK market.
In addition to the Q7 S Line Style Edition, the other "unique" model is the Q7 S Line Sport Edition, which comes with its own unique set of upgrades that standard Q7s don’t offer. Among the modifications you’ll see in the S Line Sport Edition include body-colored wheel arch extensions, which adds more width to the full-sized SUV.
Enlarged front air intakes with high gloss slats, lower bumper spoilers, a stainless steel underbody protection, and dual oval exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear bumper are also part of the package, all of which add character and performance enhancements to the SUV. The changes may not be all that evident at first glance, but they’re there, and Audi put them in there for a reason.
A full slate of paint finishes are also offered for the Q7 S Line Sport Edition. There are 13 choices in all with varying paint effects, including solid, metallic and pearl.
Both S Line models come with "standard equipment" that are unique to both of ’em, if that even makes sense. Privacy glass from the B-pillar rearward, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, fancy Verano leather upholstery and stainless-steel side running boards are among the features list, as is a powered tailgate operation, an HDD satellite navigation, the Audi parking system advanced with visual and acoustic guidance, the Audi Music Interface, Audi connect, adaptive air suspension, and double glazing.
That’s a lot of features, fellas, and maybe a big reason why Audi is touting both these full-sized models to its customers.
Anybody interested in the Q7 S Line Sport Edition will have to spend anywhere from £52,975 ($72,462) to £64,100 ($87,,679).
Click past the jump to read about the Audi Q7
Its been a while since we last caught the next-generation Audi Q7 out testing, but today we had the chance to see it out again, and it looks like Audi’s been pretty busy.
The prototype caught testing today seems to wear the final body kit and it also dropped that nasty black cover seen on the last model in favor of a new one that allows us to see the lines of the new Q7.
Previous rumors suggested that for the new Q7, Audi will use lots of aluminum and other weight-saving materials that will help drop about 400 kg (about 880 pounds) from the total weight of the current eneration.
The new Audi Q7 will be built on a new platform that it will share with the upcoming Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and the upcoming Bentley SUV. Under the hood, it will offer both gasoline and diesel engines, with a hybrid powertrain also being a possibility.
Expect the new Audi Q7 to arrive in late 2014 as a 2015 model.
Seeing a line of pristine Carrera White Audi’s from across the paddock at Autobahn Country Club was almost enough to make a guy start jogging to get the first seat time. The brand-new S Q5 was on the pre-event list of attendees, and the new grille finish of the Q5 in brilliant white was very promising.
Within closer range, the “TDI clean diesel” script was visible on the side of almost all ten Audi’s on offer for the car writers to sample. The A7 and A8 were common sights leaving the club gates, but at least one car writer was mildly disappointed.
Not only was the S Q5 not present, but diesel engines all around? Eek. One bright spot was visible: a gigantic white Q7 with some snazzy fender flares on anthracite grey alloys.
Also... a diesel, but this was more TopSpeed style.
A quick blast up to my gravel road photo spot was enough time to fall head-over-heels for the big Q7, even as its replacement is firmly on the horizon for 2014 or 2015.
This Audi is a creamy beast with torque for days even in the 3.0-liter TDI specification. The real clue to its fresher-than-average looks is the S-line trim worn by the tester, which brings along a host of sporty programming options and décor inside as well.
When a Cayenne is too bouncy, and an Escalade is too soft, look no farther than the Q7 TDI S-line for a seven seats and a ride that is ’juuusst riight’.
Click past the jump for all the beautiful sunny photos of the 2014 Audi Q7 TDI S-line, plus some first-hand observations on how the small-capacity diesel engine performs.
We have known for a quite some time now that Audi has been hard at work on the second-generation Q7 SUV. To date, all we have seen testing were just mules of the next model. However, now an actual Q7 prototype was caught testing somewhere on the roads of Germany.
The next Q7 will move to a new platform that it will share with the next-generation Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and of course the upcoming Bentley SUV. Thanks to this new platform and to the intense use of lightweight materials like aluminum, the next Q7 will be about 880 pounds lighter than the current model. Despite this huge weight loss, rumors point to the next Q7 being larger than both the Touareg and Cayenne.
Under the hood, Audi will work on offering smaller engines, with its focus being on improving fuel economy and on reducing CO2 emissions. A hybrid version was also rumored.
Expect the next Audi Q7 to be unveiled in September 2014 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and to hit the market in late 2014.
Audi is already developing the next-generation Q7 SUV, but it looks like the company is preparing one more surprise before that in the form of an e-tron version for the large SUV. Audi Australia managing director, Andrew Doyle, confirmed to Car Advice that the "e-tron will be rolled out across all the models now."
This news comes as a huge surprise, considering the company just recently dropped the R8 e-tron. Doyle said that the R8 e-tron wasn’t a major thing for the Australian market, but that the e-tron line will launch "down under" with the A3 and Q7 models. He also confirmed that the Q7 e-tron will be offered for this generation, not the upcoming one set to arrive in 2015.
One thing he refused to comment about was what hybrid powertrain will the Q7 e-tron use. We know the A3 e-tron will combine a 147-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a 75kW electric motor. We can almost guarantee that drivetrain will not make its way into the Q7, as it is way too underpowered to drive the large SUV.
There was also no confirmation on just how far the Q7 e-tron will make it around the world, particularly to the U.S.
Click past the jump to read more about the standard Audi Q7.
Audi’s resident luxury SUV, the Q7, is returning with a 2014 model that features plenty of enhancements, giving the SUV a powerful and progressive design combined with functional spaciousness that’s much needed in the market these days.
It’s a little hard to believe that the Q7 is a relatively young model, having made its debut only 8 years ago at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. Since then, though, it has come to define the German automaker’s SUV offerings, spawning the Q5 and the Q3 along the way.
Make no mistake; the Q7 still has its hands full against some stellar competition in the form of the BMW X5 and the Mercedes GL-Class. The former, in particular, is a new-generation model that wants nothing more than to stake claim in the supremely competitive luxury SUV market. The latter’s got some take in it, too, so you can’t just brush both these SUVs aside when you’re thinking about the Q7.
That being said, Audi appears to be confident in its treatment of the 2014 Q7, including the plethora of exterior and interior upgrades that owners can truly appreciate.
Click past the jump to read about the 2014 Audi Q7
It looks like this week Kahn Design decided to take a break from all the Land Rover kits we are used to seeing from it and turned its attention on a German SUV: the Audi Q7 with a 3.0-liter diesel engine. As usual, all the tuner did was upgrade the exterior and the interior, but it was more than enough to completely update its overall look.
For the exterior, Kahn prepared an aerodynamic kit that helps optimize the SUV’s efficiency, and make it look significantly better. On the inside, Kahn focused on improving the car’s luxury level.
As expected, Kahn Design will offer its customers the possibility to opt for any imaginable color on both the exterior and the interior of the Q7, but we think the carbon black color that Kahn chose for the example vehicle fits it just fine.
Click past the jump to read more about the Audi Q7 Quattro Wide Track by Kahn Design.
Until Audi drops the next-generation Q7 SUV onto the market, the guys over at Hofele Design have unveiled an awesome tuning kit based on the 2011 and 2012 Q7. The kit is called Strator GT 780 and can be yours if you have an extra €6,900 ($9,300 at the current exchange rates) in your pocket.
The Strator GT 780 kit includes a new front bumper with bigger air intakes and four additional lamps, more pronounced wheel arch extensions, a wide rear apron diffuser and a new exhaust system with four oval tailpipes. For the interior, the tuner adds a bi-color leather treatment on the seats, the door elements, the front and rear armrests and the steering wheel.
The kit also includes a set of 20-inch wheels combined with an electrical lowering module that can lower the car’s ride by 40 mm (1.57 inches). Once the SUV hits 80 km/h (49.7 mph), the lowering module lifts the Q7 back to its normal ride height to retain its normal ride and safety.
If you have extra money in your pocket you can also opt for some engine updates. Hofele offers up tuning packages for all five engines that the Q7 has available, which includes the 3.0 TDI, 3.6 V6 FSI, 4.2 V8 FSI, 4.2 TDI and 6.0 V12 TDI. From the factory, these engines crank out 240 horsepower, 280 horsepower, 350 horsepower, 340 horsepower and 500 horsepower, respectively. With the Hofele engine updates, these engines get bumped up to 275 horsepower, 305 horsepower, 375 horsepower, 370 horsepower and 555 horsepower, respectively.
Regardless of whether you want only aesthetics or a little pep to go along with the show, Hofele has the right kit for you.
The next-generation Audi Q7 has been caught testing many times, but details are still quite limited. However, the British magazine CAR has caught the car testing again, wearing almost no disguise. You shouldn’t be fooled by this mule because the new Q7 is hidden under the skin of the current model.
The most notable change can be seen at the rear where the SUV features a new exhaust system with two rather unattractive pipes – a sign that the next Q7 will be offered with a new range of engines with reduced CO2 emissions.
The next Audi Q7 will be developed on a stretched version of the MLB platform that will also be used for the next Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg. This new platform will help reduce the SUV’s total weight by about 350 kilos (770 pounds), but the platform won’t be the only one helping to achieve this reduced.
According to Audi R&D boss Wolfgang Dürheimer, the company could use a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum in an attempt to drop a few pounds. Carbon fiber will be used in the Q7’s body, but the problem is that the high price of this material can seriously increase the price of the SUV, so we’ll have to prepare for a price hike to go along with its new physique.
Kahn Design is adding another snazzy tuning package to its lineup with the inclusion of modified Audi Q7 3.0 Diesel S-Line. The new Wide Body package includes some an extensive amount of exterior and interior updates, and can be yours for £61,875, or about $98,600 at the current exchange rates.
The exterior of the Audi glistens with a Glacier pearl white finish and aerodynamic modifications, including new front bumper arches, front bumper replacement wings with air vents, matte pearl grey front grille and bumper sections, a matte black rear diffuser, a large rear upper wing roof, a rear vented bumper, and stainless steel door entry sill plates. The headlamps feature LED daytime running lights, while the doors are equipped with privacy tinted glass. The SUV can be ordered with a new set of 22" Kahn RS-R wheels combined with brake calipers finished in liquid gold and an electronic lowering module. For the interior, the tuner added a red and white speedo & rev counter fascia and machined aluminum vented foot pedals. As always, additional interior modifications can be made per the customer’s request.
The Audi Q7 Quattro 3.0 Diesel S-Line by A. Kahn Design is powered by a 3.0-liter TDI diesel engine that delivers a total of 233 HP and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 8.4 seconds.
The Q7 is one of the most impressive models Audi has ever offered, and the V12 TDI is the most powerful version offered. These two facts about this SUV is why German tuner, Fostla, decided this would be the car to receive one of their tuning kits. Their latest package jumps the Q7’s output to an amazing 600 HP, as well as tweaks its look to match.
For 3500 euro ($4,500 at the current rates), Fostla will cover a customer’s Q7 in a cool PWF foil in diamond black matte, tint the front and back lights, and tone the discs to between 55% and 85%. For an extra 6000 euro ($7700 at the current rates), customers will get a new set of 11x23 inch matte powder coated side Mansory C5 wheels with 315/25R23 tires in combination with 15 mm front and 30 mm back track plates.
To take care of the Audi Q7’s standard 500 HP, Fostla tricked out the 6.0-liter V12 engine with an ECU upgrade to allow it to push out 600 HP and 737 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph sprint will now be made in 5.5 seconds. This added bonus will set customers back an additional $4,500.
After a slow drop of sales thanks to the economic crisis, the Audi Q7 is going to attempt a comeback with a brand new generation of lightweight proportions. For a while, it seemed as though it was merely a rumor, but now the largest SUV in Audi’s lineup has been spotted testing for the first time, in mule form.
From these spy images, we can see that the fenders on this Q7 mule are wider than its predecessor and it also looks like the front overhang is shorter. It has been rumored that the next Q7 will lose about 400 kgs, or about 880 lbs compared to the current model. For this, Audi will be using lots of lighter materials like aluminum and carbon fiber.
Rumors about the power source for the next generation Audi Q7 are also interesting. It seems that Audi will drop the current, larger engines in favor of some smaller sources. A hybrid version may also be offered.
Audi is currently working on the second generation Q7 - it will be unveiled sometime in 2013 - but until then, there are some tuners that have found new ideas on how to improve the current model. One example of such a tuner is Je Design, who is offering a new tuning kit with both exterior and interior upgrades, as well as a power increase.
The Q7 tuning package is based on the S-Line model and adds an even sportier feel to the SUV. It includes new high-class wheel arches that increase the SUV’s width by 30 millimeters per side at the front and 40 millimeters per side at the rear. The German tuner is also offering front-spoiler corners, a Park Distance Control rear-apron extension, two Je Design double-tailpipe covers, and a dynamic roof wing with side covers above the C pillars. The complete styling package is available for 7,438 euros, or about $9,624 at the current rates.
The final touch for the exterior of the Audi Q7 is a new set of single-part 10 x 22 inch SUV Select alloy wheel rims. The five-spoke design wheels are wrapped around fitted 295/30R22 tires and available in three different color schemes: matte-black, front silver matte/shadow silver, front polished/graphite matte, polished lip. Customers can also choose the new JE DESIGN SCORPIO complete 10 x 22 inch wheel set in a new double-spoke design. This set can also be had in size 9 x 20 inches in matte-black with polished-silver rim flange. Both 22-inch complete wheel sets are available from 5,190 euros, or about $6,715 at the current rates.
Under the hood, the 4.2 TDI engine has undergone optimized programming of the control electronics to deliver an extra 70 HP and 99 lb-ft of torque. This brings the total power up to 405 HP and 660 lb-ft of torque from the standard 335 HP and 561 lb-ft of torque. With the extra power, the Q7 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The new control-system software is available for an added price of 1,499 euros, or about $1,940 at the current rates. This software includes a one-year guarantee for the engine, turbocharger, transmission, and drive train, which can be extended by another year for just 199 euros, or $257 at the current rates.
All told, the complete Je Design package for the Audi Q7 will run the customer somewhere around $18,536, depending on the currency rates and any additional tweaks they want to add.
According to Audi, the next generation Q7 is supposed to be more fuel efficient than the current model, but until that generation makes its grand appearance, Audi has decided to offer a new engine for the current SUV. The first details for this new engine state that it will deliver a fuel economy of 39.2 mpg, up from the 25mpg of the current top-of-the-line engine.
The new 3.0 TDI quattro TDi engine delivers a total of 204 HP between 3,200 to 4,400rpm and 331 lb-ft of torque delivered between 1,250 to 2,750rpm. When equipped with this engine, the Q7 will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 9.1 seconds and will be able to hit a top speed of 127 mph. The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI engine can be combined with the Standard, SE, S line, and new S line Plus specification levels.
The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI models will be distinguished by 21-inch 5 segment-spoke alloy wheels, standard metallic paint, tinted privacy glass from the B-pillar rearwards, and running boards. The interior will get a more supple Verano leather upholstery, while the S-Line Plus package will include hard disk-based satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone preparation with online services giving access to Google Earth navigation mapping and a Wi-Fi hotspot for in-car internet access, an Audi Music Interface iPod connection linked to an upgraded speaker system, and the Audi Parking System Advanced with reversing camera.
On the British market, the new Q7 3.0 TDI is priced from £39,995 (about $62,300 at the current exchange rates).
It seems that the Audi Q7 is gaining popularity among tuners lately as tuning packages for the SUV are just piling up. We’ve already featured the Wide Track by Project Kahn and the Audi Q7 V12 TDI Family Edition by Anderson Germany, and now we have yet another package for the Q7. This time, the package is based on the first generation Q7 and comes from MR Car Design.
Starting with a 2008 model, MR Car Design wanted to obtain the same look as with the new generation Q7. For this, the tuner added new daytime running lights, an LED indicator strip, 22-inch alloy wheels MRGT22 in 9.5 inch width, and Icebear W300 tires. The interior didn’t receive as much attention with only a new steering wheel as borrowed from the current Audi RS6.
The engine’s power, however, was given proper treatment with an ECU optimization and a new double-pack K & N air filter. These extra mods bump up the power from a standard 326hp to 374hp. The maximum torque also rises from 760 to 870 Nm. However, there’s no word yet as to how these increases will affect the SUV’s performance numbers.
Add the entertainment package from Project Kahn’s tuning package and we’d be just about sold!
Project Kahn knows a thing or two about tuning up LandRover models, but what started off a major LandRover project has spread like wildfire to include makes such asPorsche, Mercedes, Bentley, and now Audi. This time, the British tuner turned their attention to the brand new 2011 Audi Q7. The model already received an impressive facelift from the factory, but the package offered by Afzal Kahn, emphasizes the already clean and beautiful look of the SUV.
While there were no modifications made to the engine, the widebody aerodynamic styling package includes modifications such as wide wheel arches, front wings with vents, front spats, rear bumper, exhaust trims, and a rear roof wing.
For the interior, the tuner is offering black perforated Nappa Leather on all seven seats with maranello red seat stripes, a white speedo and red rev counter, door entry sill plates, and machined aluminum foot pedals. And, in order to keep the rear passengers entertained, the tuner is also offering a complete Kahn branded entertainment package, which includes two headrest mounted 7" TFT screens, DVD player, wireless infrared headphones, and a remote control.
The Audi Q7 V12 TDI is already one of the most powerful SUVs on the market these days so it would seem a little over-the-top for somebody to decide to bump up the Q7’s power even more. Fortunately, aftermarket companies like Anderson Germany don’t really pay attention to these types of suggestions because they went out and got the meanest and most powerful variant of the Q7 SUV.
We all know that the base form of this Q7 variant already comes with a V12 TDI engine that produces an insane 500 horsepower. Anderson Germany, however, decided that 500 still wasn’t enough, so they went out and modded the SUV to their specifications.
On top of the engine upgrade, the tuning company also gave the Q7 a nice exterior and interior dress-up full of carbon fiber, interior leather, and Alcantara, and as an added option, a matching child seat – if you have one that is.
Details after the jump.
Do you remember theRange Rover Sport Supercharged RS600 unveiled at the beginning of the year? Project Kahn was able to take the luxury SUV to an incredible 600hp all while making some exquisite exterior and interior changes. Their newest project, an Audi Q7 SUV, may not promise the same power boost - or any for that matter - as the Range Rover, but it did borrow those inspirational looks from its brethren to get the same heart-pumping results.
At first glance, you can immediately notice the Pearl Soft White Paint and the 22" KAHN RS-X Wheels. Upon closer inspection, Project Kahn’s changes materialize in the form of a KAHN wide arched body kit including vented front wings, as well as the KAHN welcome lights and panoramic glass roof. Go inside the vehicle and Kahn’s quilted leather interior with red stitching jumps out at you like a beautiful girl out of a giant birthday cake. The red accent color joins a subdued cream color in the Kahn red and white speedometer and rev counter, as well as in the dials of the car.
When unveiling the package for the Q7, CEO of Project Kahn, Afzal Kahn, said: "Customizing your existing car, is a great alternative, cost effective way for owners to upgrade". The price for the kit is £12,000 (around $19,000 at the current exchange rates). We don’t exactly know how cost effective these changes are, but the end result sure is worth it.
Audi has added a new version to its 2011 Q7 line-up. The new Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro delivers a total of 204 HP and has a fuel consumption of 32.67 mpg. In Germany the new model is priced at 51,800 euros (around $72,000 at the current exchange rates).
The new 3.0 liter V6 engine weighs far less than 440.92 lb and extensive measures minimize internal friction. Innovative thermal management – a new feature of many Audi engines – is particularly complex in the 3.0 TDI. The crankcase and the cylinder heads have separate cooling water circuits; coolant is not circulated within the block while the engine is warming up. This engine comes equipped with a eight-speed tiptronic transmission.
Equipped with the new engine, the Q7 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds and will hit a top speed of 127 mph (with an optional air suspension).
Press release after the jump.
As useless as they might seem to some people, the luxury full size vehicle segment is one that is a fairly large seller in the United States. The ability to travel off the road – in most cases -, haul a family and cargo, and ride around in the lap of luxury is the quintessential American dream.
That might have been a lie, as America’s offerings in the luxury SUV market aren’t all that good compared to the rest of the world. That doesn’t mean that the U.S is lagging behind though. It might not be great, but the Cadillac Escalade is the king of bling and one of the most recognizable vehicles on the road.
So, what sort of characteristics do we look for in these monsters of the road? Obviously, they need to look good because, after all, that’s what matters most with these things. The motors need to be strong and fuel efficient, the interiors need to be built and laid out well, and they need to be able to travel in the rough stuff. There is no price cap for these vehicles.
Hit the jump to see the list.
Every once in awhile, a random Facebook message or Twitter allows us to see a new tuning package before the tuning firm officially releases details on it. This time, a "tweet" from the tuning firm itself has announced a couple of new packages for Audi. SR Auto Group of British Columbia has announced the debut of the "Military" themed Audi R8 and Q7. Both models are painted in a "Militar Grey" exterior paint derived from the camouflage element used by war units. Also, both models feature PPI products throughout as well as some notable performance upgrades.
The R8 model gets the usual front bumper, front lip, side skirts, rear diffuser, and front grill, all in carbon fiber. The tuner has also added carbon front intake grill inserts and a carbon side blade overlay. The Q7 gets a carbon fiber wide body aero package and an HID xenon dual fog lamp system. No major modifications have been made to the interior.
The R8 sits on 20" wheels painted in Satin Black Finish and the Q7 sits on 22" wheels painted in matte black. Both models come with a new exhaust system and the R8 also receives a ECM Upgrade. There are no details yet of how the performances have been changed.
Specifications after the jump.
It seems that Audi has learned a very important lesson: big cars are no longer the future! An Ingolstadt source has reported that the new Audi A8 will be the last model to come out larger than the vehicle that precedes it. Starting with the next generation Q7, Audi will focus on a smaller, less aggressively styled SUV.
The Q7 sales have seen a significant drop in 2009 and, lets face it with the price of gasoline lately, no one needs a gas guzzler! In Europe, more than anywhere else, the Q7 has had no success among customers. The trend where the size of your car was everything is no longer relevant. Clients are now interested in fuel economy. So Audi is planning on offering two versions for the future Q7: an XXL seven-seater for China, the Middle East, and North America and a relatively compact five-seater for Europe and the rest of the world. Will these plans help out with sales? Audi isn’t sure so concrete plans are being held off until the company has a better idea for potential sales.
Audi is currently analyzing two options. Their first option is using a high-strength steel platform that would reduce the Q7’s weight by a maximum of 550 pounds. Unfortunately, this is not enough to reduce fuel consumption. Their second option is using an all-new aluminum space frame architecture that will reduce weight by almost 1100 pounds, but this is very expensive. So, what will they finally do? We’ll have to wait and see!
The German tuner Je Design have turned their attention to the Audi Q7 S-Line and are offering a tuning package that includes a muscular wide body kit, performance enhancement, new rims, and an electronically lowered suspension.
The exterior kit includes headlamp lens caps and a new tailgate skirt attachment which incorporates diamond-shaped openings on the right and left. Also featured is a wing spoiler tail fin including a C-pillar trim. The package is finished by 22" wheels offered in four color versions.
If this package sounds and looks a little familiar to anyone, it’s because Je Design has already applied these features on the Audi Q7 before. Back in 2007, Je Design got their hands on the Q7 and added the widebody kit plus what looks to be the same exterior kit. This isn’t so much a different interpretation of the Audi Q7 so much as a reiteration of a kit they provided years ago.
The Je Design Q7 S-Line also gets an electronically lowered suspension. The tuner did not release any details on the SUV’s new specifications, but we can safely assume they will at least provide the same 500hp provided in the kit used in 2007.
No originality here.
Press release after the jump.
PPI Design, along with its owner Dr. Benjamin Abraham, has celebrated their fifth anniversary by creating the Audi Q7 ICE GT. This celebratory vehicle will mark the company’s first five years in the tuning world and, in an effort to mark this momentous occasion, the company has decided to give the Audi Q7 a grandiose tuning program limited to only five units. Talk about limited edition.
The program starts off with a complete body kit featuring a new front bumper, hood, and rear spoiler. Several of the vehicle’s parts can be made in matte silver, matte blue, and carbon fiber. The Audi Q7 ICE GT can sit on a choice of 22” or 23” wheels and PPI Design has provided, as an option, a ceramic brake system and ceramic brake pads.
An interesting design choice on the Audi Q7 is the Nubbuk leather head liner provided by PPI. The headliner is accented by ICE blue and fluorescent pearl white lines that run from front to back. The blue and white motif extends throughout the cabin. The interior will also receive are aluminum pedals, aluminum door sills, a PPI steering wheel, a refrigerator in the center console, and two pillows. If you are confused about why there are two pillows in the Audi then maybe it is time to inform you of the two screens that project the images for the in-car entertainment system. Not a creative addition, but a must have nowadays.
The price for this tuned-up Audi Q7 is between € 200,000 and € 275,000 depending on the options.