Audi has officially unveiled the third-generation Q7, the first all-new Q7 in more than 10 years. Although the position of the largest SUV in the range will be taken over by the upcoming Q9, the new Q7 remains a luxury family model intended for customers looking for spaciousness, a high level of equipment and modern technology.
Namely, the new Q7 received a completely redesigned appearance with a more pronounced front fascia, a higher front part and more pronounced sides, and at the same time it also grew a bit. It is 506 centimeters long, 201 centimeters wide and 180 centimeters high, which makes it one of the largest representatives of its class.
One of the biggest innovations relates to lighting. The headlights can project warnings directly onto the road, for example when there is ice or changing lanes, while the digital OLED taillights communicate with drivers behind the vehicle to warn of potential hazards or insufficient clearance.
The cabin has been completely modernized and features a curved OLED screen that combines digital instruments and a multimedia system, while a separate screen is provided for the passenger. Audi highlights the higher-quality materials in the interior and the panoramic glass roof, the transparency of which can be adjusted by segment.
Customers will be able to choose between versions with five, six or seven seats. The five-seat version offers a trunk volume of 670 liters, and by folding the rear seats, the space increases to 2,075 liters. The seven-seater has 581 liters of luggage space when the third row is folded, while folding the second row gives 1,980 liters.
Great emphasis was also placed on driver assistance systems. Audi states that the Q7 can remember up to five different parking maneuvers up to 200 meters long and repeat them later on its own, while the automatic reverse function enables exiting narrow passages without driver intervention. In emergency situations, the vehicle can recognize that the driver is no longer responding, stop safely and automatically call for help.
In the European market, it will initially be available with a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine in versions of 245 and 299 hp with 500 and 630 Nm, respectively. Both versions use a mild hybrid system that temporarily adds extra power and improves efficiency.
According to Audi, in other markets, primarily the American one, the diesel engine will not be available and customers will be able to choose only gasoline versions. Americans will thus be able to buy a 2.9-liter V6 petrol with 429 hp, and the offer will also include a sporty SQ7 with a 4.0-liter V8 engine that now develops 591 hp, which enables it to accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.
Available equipment includes adaptive air suspension, all-wheel steering and electronically controlled shock absorbers. The air suspension system can pre-adjust the vehicle according to route data and lower the body for easier entry of passengers, and the sports version further reduces the height of the car by 30 millimeters.
Sales of the new Audi Q7 on certain European markets will begin this month. In Germany, the basic version of the Q7 TDI with 245 hp starts at 87,900 euros, while the more powerful model with 299 hp has a starting price of 90,500 euros. The price in Croatia is not yet known.