Audi India has introduced a new special edition based on the flagship Q7 SUV called the Black Edition at Rs. 82.15 lakhs (ex-showroom). The production of the newly launched vehicle is limited to just 100 units. The Black Styling package offers several new features and accessories to elevate the Black Edition from the standard models.

The Audi Q7 Black Edition features a radiator grille frame, horizontal radiator grille struts and lateral air intake struts in Titanium Black Gloss. In an attempt to highlight its off-roading capabilities, the door trim strips feature in Titan Black Gloss with quattro embossing. The roof rails, alloy wheels, frame mouldings on the side windows, the roofline and the rear diffuser, are finished in different shades (matte and gloss) of black.

In India, the Q7 is sold in 5 different models priced between Rs. 73.82 lakhs for the 40 TFSI Premium Plus trim and goes as high as Rs. 85.28 lakhs for the 45 TDI Technology Pack (all prices, ex-showroom). It is powered by either a 3.0-litre V6 diesel churning 245 PS and 600 Nm or 2.0-litre inline petrol belting 248 PS and 370 Nm.

Audi believes that the central government’s 30% depreciation initiative will boost the sales numbers.

Audi Q7 Black Edition

– Launched at Rs. 82.15 lakhs (ex-showroom)
– Production limited just 100 units
– Gets a radiator grille frame, horizontal radiator grille struts and lateral air intake struts in Titanium Black Gloss

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After getting a good response in the Indian market for the Audi A6 Lifestyle Edition, the German luxury carmaker has introduced two new special editions. The Audi Q7 and A4 Lifestyle Editions have been launched in India with enhanced features and styling to grab more attention from the buyers.

Audi A4 Lifestyle Edition

The exteriors of the A4 luxury sedan has got new smoked LED tail lights and a tail gate spoiler that accentuates the rear profile of the car. There are no other changes on the side or the front profile of the A4. The carmaker has also added stainless steel pedal caps to lend a sporty feel to the driver. The Audi A4 Lifestyle Edition is priced at Rs. 43.09 lakhs (ex-showroom)

Audi Q7 Lifestyle Edition

The flagship SUV from the German luxury carmaker has got new accessories including Rear Seat Entertainment system, Entry LED Lights with logo projection, Audi Cool Box, side running boards and Espresso Mobil for those who like to have coffee on the move. The Audi Q7 Lifestyle Edition is priced at Rs. 75.82 lakhs (ex-showroom).

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Audi has launched the new Q3 and Q7 Design Editions with more features than the model presently on sale in India. Both the models come with cosmetic updates while mechanically they will continue to remain the same.

The Audi Q7 Design Edition, apart from what already is on offer gets smoked tail lamps and Audi rings decal on D-pillar. The cabin has also received a few updates which mainly include a new rear seat entertainment system and an Audi cool bag. The Audi Q3 Design Edition gets full-body paint finish, crystal clear tail lamps, quattro film set and entry lights, key cover matching the exterior colour, Nappa leather upholstery and a coat hanger.

The Audi Q3 Design Edition will be offered only with a quattro diesel option. This motor is capable of producing 184 HP and 380 Nm of torque and comes with a 7-speed S-Tronic gearbox. The Audi Q7 on the other hand gets a petrol and a diesel engine option. The petrol engine is a 2.0-litre TFSI mill that makes 252 and 370 Nm of torque. The diesel engine is the 3.0-litre TDI motor that makes about 249 HP and 600 Nm of torque. Both the engines come with an 8-speed S-Tronic gearbox.

Both the models come at a slight premium than the current models because of the added features. The Audi Q7 Design Edition is priced at Rs. 82.37 lakhs while the Q3 Design Edition is priced at Rs. 42.76 lakhs, (both prices, ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Audi Q7 Design Edition

– The Q7 is priced at Rs. 82.37 lakhs while the Q3 is priced at Rs. 42.76 lakhs
– Both the cars come with cosmetic changes only
– The Design Edition is placed above the current models

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2018 Audi Q7 Petrol Review

Car Tested: 2018 Audi Q7 Petrol; Road Test No. 946

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 82.02 lakhs – Rs. 90.08 lakhs

Performance from the 2.0-litre TFSI engine is just about adequate for daily usage

Petrol SUVs are not the need of the hour at all and yet Audi has rolled in the Q7 40 TFSI, essentially, a petrol variant of the Q7 as rivals like Land Rover are also introducing petrol SUVs in the market. The German carmaker, instead of giving us the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine has given a downsized 2.0-litre, four-cylinder motor. Audi has done this before with the A3 and the A4 sedans getting the 1.4-litre TFSI engine. Those being sedans it is pardonable but the question is, is the 2.0-litre petrol engine enough to pull this massive 2.2 tonne SUV? We find out.

Motor Quest: The first generation Audi Q7 was launched in 2005 and it was an absolute hit, especially among Bollywood celebrities and cricket stars. The second generation Q7 comes underpinned by a lighter MLB platform and gets a more subtle design.

Exteriors – In terms of design and styling, the Audi Q7 40 TFSI is no different from its diesel counterpart. All the design elements like the sharp matrix LED headlamps with LED DRLs, hexagonal grille with chrome embellishments and the four-ringed badge, heavily sculpted bumper, 19-inch alloy wheels and the LED tail-lights are identical to the ones we’ve seen in the Q7 45 TDI.

Interiors – Hop inside the cabin and again things here are identical to the diesel-powered Q7. Nonetheless, the cabin feels luxurious and premium. The dual-tone brown and beige dashboard gets a brushed aluminium insert in the middle that separates the top and the bottom parts of the dash. The seamlessly running AC vents and of course, the Audi Virtual Cockpit are the design highlights of this cabin.

The quality, fit and finish of the interior is commendable. In terms of features too, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker hasn’t omitted any of the features from the 45 TDI variant. You get features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired to a BOSE 3D Surround Sound system, auto park assist with a 360-degree surround view camera, genuine Cricket Leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, 4-zone automatic climate control, Ambient Lighting with thirty colour combinations, Audi Phone Box with Wireless Qi-charging and the list goes on.

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Audi has launched the 2017 Q7 with a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol motor priced from Rs. 67.76 lakhs (ex-showroom, pan-India), now making its flagship SUV available in both petrol and diesel versions. Badged as the Q7 40 TFSI, Audi had very recently launched the Design Edition Q7 and A6 to mark their successful 10-year journey in India.

The engine in question here is a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol unit that churns out 252 HP of power and 370 Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends power to all the 4 wheels through Audi’s Quattro system. The Q7 40 TFSI cracks the 0-100 km/hr mark in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 233 km/hr. The ARAI certified fuel-efficiency figure is 11.68 km/l.

The 2017 Audi Q7 40 TFSI comes with all the bells and whistles that are offered in the diesel (45 TDI) variant. Audi’s virtual cockpit, Auto Park Assist with a 360-degree surround view camera, seamless AC vents that run across the width of the dashboard, Matrix LED headlights, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired to a 558 watts BOSE 3D Surround Sound system, adaptive air suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels all make it to the petrol variant too.

The interior gets Genuine Cricket Leather (black and beige) upholstery, Audi Phone Box with Wireless Qi-charging, Ambient Lighting with 30 combinations and electrically folding third-row seat. The 2017 Audi Q7 40 TFSI rivals the BMW X5 35i, Mercedes-Benz GLS 400, Land Rover Discovery and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

2017 Audi Q7 Petrol Price

* Premium – Rs. 67.76 lakhs
* Technology – Rs. 74.43 lakhs

(all prices, ex-showroom pan-India)

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2016 Audi Q7 Review

Car Tested: 2016 Audi Q7 Diesel; Road Test No. 708

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 86.79 – Rs. 99 lakhs

The new Audi Q7 feels more agile to drive, offers more punch and is tech rich on the inside

The Q7 was the first SUV in Audi’s portfolio, introducing the Q moniker in the family in 2005. The first generation Q7 made a big impact in the luxury SUV segment across the globe and specially in the Indian car market. However, the first generation Q7 was getting quite dated off late amongst the newly updated Europeans but now Audi has finally launched the second generation model in India. The new Audi Q7 gets drastic changes inside out and we explore the new German to see if it really has what it takes.

Motor Quest: The first generation Audi Q7 had a lifespan of 10 years, launched in 2005. It received a mid-life facelift in 2009 and shares its platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. The new generation Audi Q7 was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in 2015 and has entered the Indian market soon after its global launch.

Exteriors – The second generation Q7 is based on a new and lighter MLB platform and hence has been redesigned from the ground up. However, while the design is more subtle instead of the beefy and tall profile of the outgoing model, some styling cues have been retained. Some of the similar bits include the hexagonal grille up front and the shape of the headlamps as well as the tail lamps. The front profile gets a good dose of chrome on the grille and the matrix headlamps give it a sharp appearance.

The bulky muscular profile has been transformed to a lean athletic body

On the side profile of the new Audi Q7 you get to see the well designed 5-spoke alloys, sharp shoulder line and a sloping down roofline, which sometimes makes it look like a station wagon compared to the upright profile of the outgoing Q7. The LED tail lamps are similarly styled as the head lamps that lend a crisp appearance. The lower half of the bumper gets a silver skid plate integrating dual exhausts. The overall design looks modern and aerodynamic but that macho SUV attitude is gone. Also, the cladding on the lower half of the body is a big mud magnet.

Interiors – Walk in to the cabin of the new Audi Q7 and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the simple yet classy styling. The four-spoke steering wheel feels great to hold, it gets integrated buttons for cruise control and infotainment system along with the paddle shifts for changing gears. The updated all-digital instrument cluster has some fancy tricks up its sleeves. It shows an array of information related to the car and has a huge display for the navigation as well, nifty feature. The central part of the dashboard gets a seamless layout of AC vents across the panel. There is a layer of brushed aluminium below it and then a gloss wood panel followed by beige colour tones. The quality, fit and finish is just supreme as the buttons feel tactile to use and the materials feel premium when you touch anything.

The interior styling is simple yet classy offering lots of space and practicality

The best part about the styling is that it’s very minimal and uncluttered yet looks fancy. Push the button to start the engine and a 8.2-inch infotainment screen pops out of the dash neatly. If you find it intrusive while driving, you have the choice to fold it down with a touch of a button. The interiors are driver focussed and you have all the controls within reach. The updated MMI system also gets a touch pad along with the rotary knob, which is very convenient to use as you can scribble names/numbers while driving. The Bluetooth connectivity is quite extensive as you get to access your contacts as well as music library. The Bose audio system churns out excellent quality music that was expected from a car in this class.

The ergonomics are top notch as you get an electrically adjustable steering wheel for both reach and rake as well as seats with memory function. There are quite a lot of storage bins to keep the cabin neat and tidy. The steering to the seat angle is quite confident inspiring and there is a good view of the road ahead for comfortable long drives. However, the driving position is a tad lower than what we thought considering it is an SUV. The leather seats get fantastic cushioning and support at the front. The rear seats are very spacious and offer ample legroom with good headroom and also enough shoulder room to accommodate third passenger in the middle who gets individual support cushioning unlike many other cars. The sad part about this seven seater is that it’s not a seven seater in India since it gets a spare wheel mounted in the boot that takes the space of the rear right seat of the third row. Boot space is good though and you have flexible seating options as all the seats are individually foldable.

Performance – Powering the new Audi Q7 is a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that produces 249 BHP and 600 Nm of torque. The figures look quite exciting on paper but while driving, the new Q7 feels even more punchy and powerful and that’s because of the lighter weight. Push the throttle and it picks up immediately without any turbo lag. It keeps pulling across the range since the massive torque kicks in very early at 1500 RPM, gets meatier in the mid-range and those 249 horses under the hood hold the top-end grunt of the V6 quite well. You won’t feel the need of more power at any given point of time. The refinement levels are excellent, no diesel burble inside the cabin and the V6 engine sounds surprisingly sporty when you rev it hard.

The 3.0-litre V6 diesel offers tremendous thrust to surge ahead like a boss

Mated to this engine is a new 8-speed tiptronic automatic transmission that channels the power to the Quattro all-wheel drive system. The gearbox is quite clever and offers smooth shifts as most of the changes go unnoticed while driving sedately. Push the throttle hard and it quickly adapts to the sense of urgency downshifting a gear or two. You can chose the way it behaves with the comfort and dynamic options. In Comfort, the system changes cogs early and seamlessly while in Dynamic it tries to extract the maximum power shifting late. It does the 0-100 km/hr sprint in just 7.1 seconds while the top speed is rated at 234 km/hr. You can control the gearbox manually with the steering mounted pedals but it’s not too engaging since downshifting is limited to some extent and it upshifts on its own when you hit the redline. However, the transmission is very frugal and the new Q7 returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 14.75 km/l, we easily got a 10.5 km/l mileage figure on our test. In the top gear at 100 km/hr, the tachometer just hovers around 1400 RPM.

Driving Dynamics – The new Audi Q7 comes with adaptive air suspension that offers versatile dynamics and comes with various modes – Offroad, Allroad, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual. In the offroad mode, the car lifts for optimum ground clearance to tackle rough terrain and high obstacles. It accordingly tweaks the gearbox and engine to offer good low-end grunt. In the comfort setting, the ride quality is super cushy that absorbs anything coming its way but there is a bit of body roll and the steering is very light for easy manoeuvrability in city conditions. Put the car in the Dynamic mode and the steering gets more direct and heavier offering a good sense of confidence and the ride is not bad either, it is pliant and flat but a bit tauter for high speed stability.

There is minimal body roll and you can flick it around the corners quite easily

The new generation Q7 has lost a massive 325 kgs of weight and that reflects in the way it moves. The SUV feels eager to corner hard, maintains its line if you push it around the corners without any drama. The handling feels more sedan like, composed behaviour on the twisties. The steering has a bit of an artificial electric feedback but it is good enough to have fun with. The Pirelli tyres offer tremendous grip along with the quattro system that doesn’t let loose the traction at all. The Individual mode helps you tweak the car according to your driving style, you can change the suspension, steering, engine, transmission modes as you like. Braking bite and performance is top notch for a SUV this size, it comes to a halt from triple digit speeds without complaining.

Safety and After Sales Service – As expected from the four ringed badge, the Audi Q7 is loaded with safety features including eight airbags, ABS, ASR, EDL, ESC, Hill Descent Control and more such electronics. Audi has a good reach across the country with a wide network for a German luxury carmaker and it is further growing at a good rate. However, the cost of ownership and maintenance is not too light on the pocket since most of the parts are imported and if something goes wrong with the car, it takes a while at the workshop to replace/repair compared to the mass market carmakers in India.

Verdict – After driving the new Audi Q7 extensively, we have realised that the German carmaker is targeting a wider audience. That’s because the new Q7 has a multifaceted character that covers most of the important aspects. For instance, it is suitable for the station wagon loving European market offering great practicality and space but with the driving feel of a sedan. The Q7 also manages to conquer rough terrains very well with its hi-tech quattro system, so buyers looking for a capable off-roader can consider the Q7. It is an extremely comfortable SUV for your family specially on Indian road conditions. The new Q7 is quite big in size but once you get behind the wheel, it’s not an intimidating SUV to drive and instead quite fun with its sorted dynamics. Anyone from any age group be it young or old, male or female can easily adapt to the driving manners of the new Q7. However, we still miss the muscular and butch appearance of the outgoing Q7. Otherwise, the new Audi Q7 is a gem of an SUV in this price bracket.

What’s Cool

* Sheer simplicity inside the cabin loaded with tech and high quality materials
* Strong and refined diesel engine performance
* Versatile driving dynamics thanks to the adaptive air suspension
* Feels more eager to turn and is quite nimble due to the lighter weight
* Offers extensive safety equipment

What’s Not So Cool

* The exterior styling is simple and not as extra ordinary as its predecessor
* Spare wheel placement hampers the use of the seventh seat

Alternatives: Mercedes GLS, BMW X5, Volvo XC90

2016 Audi Q7 Specifications

* Engine: 2967cc, TDI, 28V, V6, Turbocharged, DOHC
* Power: 249 BHP @ 2910-4500 RPM
* Torque: 600 Nm @ 1500-3000 RPM
* Transmission: 8-speed automatic
* 0-100 km/hr: 7.1 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 10 km/l
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Suspension: Adaptive Air Suspension
* Tyres: 255/55/19
* Brakes: Disc brakes, ABS
* Safety: 8 Airbags, ABS, ASR, EDL, Hill Descent Control

2016 Audi Q7 Dimensions

* Overall Length x Width x Height: 5052 mm X 1968 mm X 1741 mm
* Wheelbase: 2994 mm
* Ground Clearance: 235 mm
* Turning Radius: 6.2-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 75-litres
* Kerb Weight: 2330 kgs

Testers’ Note:

Further Reading –

2016 Audi Q7 First Drive Review
2015 Audi Q7 Technology Test Drive Review

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A flagship SUV is a halo product for any automotive company which wants to portray itself as the epitome of style and luxury. But these days, just a good looking SUV is not enough and companies strive to offer a top-of-the range version with a stonking engine which produces humongous amount of power. Therefore, Audi has now decided to sell the bonkers SQ7 luxury SUV in India, making it the fastest and most powerful vehicle in its class.

Latest import data shows that Audi has imported one unit of its SQ7 SUV to India for homologation all the way from Slovakia with a declared value of Rs. 59,83,696/-. As the ‘S’ moniker suggests, this vehicle is not an average Q7 but a sporty version of the biggest utility vehicle from Audi. The SQ7 is thus appropriately equipped with a 3956cc diesel V8 which produces 435 horses and a mountain of torque – 900 Nm to be exact. The SQ7 also comes equipped with Audi’s Quattro AWD system.

Based on the new generation MLB modular-longitudinal platform of the new Audi Q7, the car can decimate the 0-100 km/hr sprint in a mere 4.8 seconds. The beast from Ingolstadt has a devil of an engine with not one, not two, but three turbochargers forcing-in air in the cylinders. Two of those are conventional exhaust driven units, while the third one is a first of its kind turbocharger which uses electronic witchcraft and all of the German engineering might for a zero turbo-lag experience and blistering performance.

In true Audi style, the vehicle will still have somewhat similar styling to the normal Q7 except for some aluminium inserts, the SQ7 badging and quad exhaust pipes instead of dual exhaust pipes. Giving the SUV company will be the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG, BMW X6M and Range Rover SVR. Expect the price to be north of the Rs. 1 crore mark.

Audi SQ7 Imported To India For Homologation

– Audi has imported one unit of the SQ7 SUV from Slovakia to India for homologation purposes
– The car has a declared value of Rs. 59 lakhs
– The Audi SQ7 is equipped with a 3956cc V8 diesel engine which produces 900 Nm of torque
– The car can do 0-100 km/hr speeds in less than 5 seconds

Source – Zauba.com

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While other automakers had to stop sales and registration of large capacity diesel vehicles in the Delhi and NCR region, Audi India seemed to be unfazed by the ruling and continues to promote the newly launched Q7 in the region as per a recent report. The news states that the German auto giant was inviting customers to book test drives for the new flagship luxury SUV and continues to run its ads in the region promoting the model.

It is agreeable that long thought media plans cannot be changed overnight; however, the test drives need to be stopped in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling. After the issue was brought to light, Audi’s Indian website was amended recently clearly stating that the Q7 is not available for sale in Delhi/NCR. The highly successful luxury SUV in a completely new avatar was launched a few weeks ago priced at Rs. 72 lakhs and is technologically loaded with several new innovations.

The Supreme Court ruling was pretty specific in stating that cars with a diesel engine displacement over 2000cc won’t be sold in the Delhi and NCR region till March 2016, citing the need to curb pollution levels. This ensured that a host of mainstream and luxury manufacturers were quickly out of business with the majority of their offerings using a 2000+cc oil burner.

In addition to the new generation Q7, the ban has also stopped sales of Audi’s other popular models including the A8L 50 and 60 TDI variants as well as the Q5 45 TDI. Apart from Audi, Jaguar Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz entire diesel lineup has been barred from being sold in Delhi along with products from BMW, Mahindra and Tata Motors. Save for a few variants, Volvo is the only luxury carmaker to retail its entire lineup in the national capital.

Source – EconomicTimes.com

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Exteriors – The Mercedes GL is the biggest of them all and it has a very handsome design but somehow it does feel outdated, albeit very slightly. The BMW X5 has a sporty and distinct appeal to it and the model still looks fresh but due to the similarity between the X3 and the X5 in looks, many people get confused between them. The Audi Q7 which is the youngest kid on the block also has a very sharp and aggressive face which does look better than the older model which it replaced. The Volvo XC90 has a very beautiful design which is a bit curvy as compared to the sharp body lines of the other three. The XC90 also looks very unique on our roads and according to us, it is the best looking premium SUV of the lot, followed by the Q7.

Interiors – Each one of these SUVs is loaded to the brim with a lot of features and wizardry that we will surely lose count if we start making a list of equipment on any of these cars. The GL has a lot of space inside and it blends in awesome comfort too. The X5 has a dashboard which looks very similar to other BMWs and it doesn’t feel as premium as the XC90 for sure. The Swede has a pleasant design for the insides and the seats are extremely comfortable. The Audi too is good on space and promises to offer a lot.

Engines – The three Germans are powered by 3.0-litre diesel engines and all them come with 6-cylinders. The GL and Q7 have a V6 engine while the Bimmer has an inline-6 layout. The Volvo on the other hand comes with a 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre engine which falls short of power compared to the other three. When we take power figures in consideration, the X5 and GL have similar numbers while the Q7 has marginally lower power. The X5 has a lot lesser torque than the other two though. On the other hand, the XC90 produces the least power and torque. In terms of transmissions, the XC90, Q7 and X5 come with 8-speed automatic gearboxes while it is only the GL which gets a 7-speed transmission.

Verdict – The Volvo XC90 and the new Audi Q7 are splendid packages while the BMW X5 is also a very good SUV. The Mercedes GL is on its way out and the automaker will be introducing the new GLS in India in the near future. The Volvo XC90 has the cheapest base model here and even that trim comes with a good list of equipment. Volvo has also priced the XC90 very, very competitively considering the fact it is the only CBU vehicle over here while all the other three are locally assembled in India. The XC90 however has the highest taxes too.

If we really had to pick one from all of these, it would be a very close tie between the Q7 and XC90. The XC90 should be preferred if you don’t really care much about the extra power that the other three are offering. Otherwise, the Q7 makes for a good choice but then again that engine is plagued with emissions issue on certain units (on other VW cars). The X5 makes for a good case for itself if you really love driving your SUV yourself. The new Mercedes GLS will be a game-changer but till then, we think we’ll give this model a pass.

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The Q7 turned out to be an extremely popular model not only in India but globally as well in Audi’s stable and has been on sale for almost nine years now. Nevertheless, the new generation bowed in globally in December last year and exactly a year after its official unveil, the Ingolstadt carmaker’s flagship SUV has made it to the Indian shores with prices starting at Rs. 72 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Based on the new MLB platform, the new generation Audi Q7 is 325 kgs lighter thanks to the use of aluminium in its construction and chassis, while also being shorter and narrower than the outgoing model. The wheelbase is now longer at 2990 mm maximising interior space with the distance between the first and the second row increased by 21 mm. In terms of styling, the curves have been chucked in favour of a more angular design language in-line with other models in the automaker’s stable and gets a single-frame grille, sharply styled headlamp cluster, new LED tail lights and twin exhausts.

Inside the cabin, the 2016 Audi Q7 gets contemporary and stylish looking dashboard and features a host of tech including the 12.3-inch all-digital TFT instrument cluster, 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel and a new knob shifter. The luxury SUV comes with a Bang & Olufsen surround sound system, new Audi MMI, 8.3-inch touchpad with handwriting recognition, Audi Connect, Android Auto or Apple CarPlay options, Android tablets for rear seat entertainment and a whole lot more.

Prominent safety features include lane departure warning, cruise control, Audi Pre-Sense City and much more. The SUV scored a full 5-stars on the Euro NCAP crash tests. Under the hood, the India spec new generation Audi Q7 is offered only with a diesel heart, so power comes from a 3.0-litre V6 oil burner tuned for 272 PS and 600 Nm of torque, paired to an 8-speed Tip-Tronic automatic transmission with the famed quattro AWD system on offer. 0-100 km/hr comes up in 6.3 seconds and the Q7 has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/hr.

Surprisingly, the 2016 Audi Q7 is also 26 percent more fuel efficient than its predecessor despite more power while also being easy on the environment. The automaker is locally assembling the luxury SUV like the older version which keeps the prices competitive despite the marginal hike. The Q7 also marks Audi’s last launch for the year as part of some very interesting products that were introduced in the country. That said, competition is in abundance now in the luxury SUV segment with the Mercedes GL-Class (GLS), BMW X5 and Volvo XC90.

2016 Audi Q7 Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

* Q7 Premium Plus – Rs. 72 lakhs
* Q7 Technology – Rs. 77.5 lakhs

We drove the new Audi Q7 is Switzerland earlier this year and you can read about our first impressions HERE.

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Super-SUV’s seems to be the latest craze amongst the wealthy. Powerful SUV’s from brands like Range Rover, Porsche and the likes are selling pretty well. A major reason for the same could be the comfort as well as the performance available on tap in such vehicles. These SUV’s can be a boon in making quick progress in areas with less than perfect roads without bothering about bottoming out. Also, the owners do not have to get into the car and they rather just walk in which is much more comfortable. That these big bad boys have more presence only makes their case stronger.

Rival brand Mercedes-Benz recently launched the AMG variant of its full size SUV, the GL-Class. This has prompted Audi to think about introducing the SQ7 in India soon after its global launch. One unit of the same has been recently imported into India for testing purposes. This does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is being tested only for India but it could be a part of the ongoing tests globally. India provides a variety of roads and terrains which make it a good testing destination. The import entry states that the test mule is powered by a 4.0-litre diesel engine which is a new engine.

The 4.0-litre which will be powering the SQ7 is rumoured to be a V8 turbo-charged diesel engine to give it performance levels befitting the S badge. Expected power ratings are in the range 450 BHP of power and a mammoth 800 Nm of torque which shall make it one quick ride. The SQ7 is also expected to get a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol engine producing 560 BHP of power. Visual and mechanical changes are likely to differentiate it from the pedestrian Q7 which shall include new alloy wheels, bigger cross-drilled brakes and quad exhausts. Since the car weighs about 350 kgs less than the previous generation Q7, it shall be a lot quicker with the bigger engine.

We recently got our hands on the 2016 Audi Q7, read our first impressions HERE.

Source – Zauba.com

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Audi Q7 Review

Car Tested: 2016 Audi Q7

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1 crore (est)

The 2016 Audi Q7 is loaded with technology, the second gen model feels nimble to drive

The premium SUV segment is currently a booming space in the Indian car market, where most of the premium car buyers want luxury with practicality and presence. With the first generation Q7 launched in 2006, Audi was the first luxury brand in India to come up with a full-size 7-seater SUV. The German carmaker has a strong customer base of the Q7 in India. Here are the first impressions of the second generation Q7 that we tested in the iconic mountain region of Verbier, Switzerland.

While the first gen Q7 was also designed from ground-up on a platform (PL71) shared with Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg, the SUV has had a secured career till now. Now, Audi thinks it is the right time to take it to the next level. As a result, Audi has endowed the finest and applied the most updated technologies it could lay its hands on to build this incoming SUV on its new MLB-platform using aluminium intensive architecture. By migrating to the newer platform, Audi engineers have been able to knock off around 235 kg of weight, increased the wheelbase and shortened its overall length. The result is that the car gets its wheels pushed to the corners more than its predecessor and also helping in the new profile is the narrowed track. With a kerb weight of just 1995 kg (3.0 TDI), the new Audi Q7 is the lightest in its class. With its lightweight, multi-material body and an all-new chassis, it is comfortable while at the same time offering the typical performance of a sporty Audi and that with top-notch CO2 values. Audi engineers have reduced the fuel consumption of the Q7 by as much as 28 percent in the TFSI and 23 per cent in the TDI.

The car’s profile is similar but sheetmetal treatment is more angular with soft crease lines up front on the mudguard and rear D-pillars. The new vertical grille and new cluster headlamps come with LED DRLs. The rear-end treatment is quite different than before and seems to be inspired by modern MPVs more than SUVs. The interior is designed as a three-row vehicle with seating for seven. The second row is electrically operated and folds flat to create the extra cargo. For the first time, six child seats can be fixed in the car. The car’s interior has been redesigned to optimise space and the exercise begins with the sleek dashboard with full digital display, a pop-up tab which serves as the multimedia infotainment display, thinned out doors (pads to help create more space) and a nice use of stitched leather and combination of very high quality trim materials. Touch points exhibit premium luxury quality.

At launch, two new V6 engines will be offered with all-wheel drive. The 3.0-litre TDI with 272 BHP and the 3.0-litre TFSI with 333 BHP accelerate the new Audi Q7 from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 secs (TFSI) and 6.3 secs (TDI), respectively. The diesel V6 consumes on an average just 17.54 km/l, corresponding to 149 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The engines set top marks in the segment of large SUVs. Transmission is 8-speed automatic with Tiptronic. In terms of packaging, new driver aids and safety kit are among the key highlights. The car features second-generation modular infotainment platform along with virtual cockpit.

The new MMI all‑in‑touch control unit comes with large touchpad at the base of the centre console. Other innovations include the expanded services from Audi connect, the Audi tablet for the rear seat passengers and the two sound systems with 3D audio (Bose and Bang & Olufsen depending on trim). Smartphone integration with Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is also new. Audi says the new Q7 is one of the first cars worldwide to offer these functions. Audi completely reengineered the suspension, changing front and rear components from double wishbone to a multilink architecture.

The all new Audi Q7 is rich on refinement and NVH having minimal noise

Most of the drive was done in the Alps region of Verbier beginning from the hanger at Sion airport right up to the world famous Verbier ski resort situated at a height of 1531 m above sea level. This big SUV has a cd value of just 0.32 and the first thing noted is that it has extremely well managed NVH levels. On the move, this car almost eerily quiet even at highway speeds with very little wind noise. The TFSI engine is quite powerful in torque delivery and along with the automatic gearbox, work seamlessly in tandem and we didn’t note any turbolag either. As part of the driving dynamics package, several menu driven options are available and when the Sport or Individual mode is selected, the engine mapping, gear holding pattern and steering weight change. Most of the driving was done on motorways and winding mountain roads in and around Verbier. The car feels confident with it brilliant chassis set-up. Despite its size, there’s no tendency of wallowing and the mass of the car isn’t felt. It also feels faster than the quoted figures. The gear selector, when pushed forward all the way, no longer selects park but reverse. The “park” button is integrated in the joystick like in a BMW and unless mastered, will frustrate many new owners so one has to get used to this system pretty fast.

In normal driving conditions, the torque split is tail-happy 40:60, but if conditions demand, the front end can take up to 70 percent of torque while the rear can cope with up to 85 percent. The centre differential is supported by ABS and stability control, which keeps the car in line by ever so slightly decelerating the wheels closest to the apex. The turn radius of this car has been reduced, thanks to the rear wheels also aiding the steering effort. Meanwhile, the lower centre of gravity and redesigned suspension ensures that it feels positively transformed and livelier. It is both comfortable and agile. The coolest feature that we experienced during the drive was the application of semi-autonomous systems, especially the predictive efficiency assistant. In this set-up, adaptive cruise control works with Google Maps and traffic-sign recognition technology to avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking manoeuvres. The diesel variant is also a delight to drive with extremely impressive acceleration qualities. Compared to the petrol TSFI, there’s a minor turbolag, noticeable only in sharp uphills or very fast corners.

The new Audi Q7 is much more luxurious and competent. The wagon-like design will take time to sink in but there are some interesting styling cues that make it look quite attractive. At the same time Audi will also be looking at a new price point as Ingolstadt thinks that it does merit that increment. The all-new Audi Q7 looks quite promising and represents a great leap in the way Audi has evolved the SUV for its second innings.

What’s Cool

* New lightweight platform makes it a breeze to drive with better fuel efficiency and responsive engines
* Top quality interiors with latest tech including new MMI system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
* High on safety and gets semi-autonomous systems such as adaptive cruise control

What’s Not So Cool

* The new styling will grow on you over time
* It will be significantly expensive than the outgoing Q7

The post 2016 Audi Q7 First Drive Review appeared first on MotorBeam.

We have been seeing Audi testing the next generation Q7 extensively on our roads. This time our reader Swapnil Patel catches the upcoming SUV on test sans camouflage in Mumbai. Audi has created a niche in the Indian market with the Q7 being one of the favourite premium SUVs for Indian buyers. Immense presence, luxurious cabin and great snob value made the mammoth SUV popular in India within no time. It has got slight revisions frequently in terms of cosmetics and mechanicals but this time Audi will introduce the all new generation of the Q7 to hit the segment hard.

However, the second generation Audi Q7 is now a totally different car altogether based on the new MLB platform, having new dimensions with more luxurious interiors that are loaded with latest equipment. Consequently, the price will increase substantially compared to the outgoing model, which came for a starting price of Rs. 64.71 lakhs for the base 3.0 TDI version ranging up to Rs. 87.69 lakhs (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi) for the 4.2 TDI variant.

The new Audi Q7 will get powered by two engine options. The Q7 35 TDI will get a 3.0-litre diesel that produces 272 PS of power with 600 Nm of torque. The 3.0-litre TFSI petrol engine churns out 333 PS of power with 440 Nm of torque. Both the engines will be mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and will come with Quattro all-wheel drive system as standard. The new generation Q7 won’t be priced under Rs. 1 crore and will launch in November this year, competing against the Mercedes GL-Class, BMW X5 and the upcoming Volvo XC90.

The post 2016 Audi Q7 To Be Much More Expensive Than Outgoing Model appeared first on MotorBeam.