Presenting the Audi Q7 Now with 34% More Lamborghini
Audi draws closer and closer to being a Lamborghini Urus. However, that's not entirely a bad thing.
More than Just a New Grille
The Audi Q7 is here to rival the BMW X7 in the battle of big grilles. The octo-mesh fixed at the front offers great style and character, showing that the new Q7 means business. This significant aesthetic contribution includes optional Laser lights and Matrix LED headlights, a chrome strip, and new air inlets on the side. Audi has gone completely upmarket with this vehicle, following in the footsteps of the Q3 and the Q8.
Photos Courtesy of TopGear.
New Controls
The cockpit doesn't fall far from what you'd find in the Q8. Audi has replaced the physical switches and buttons with a standard 12.3-inch display. The optional S line package adds a Heads-Up Display and two screens that are part of the MMI infotainment system. The upper one measures 10.1 inches while the lower one allows you to control the internal climate on an 8.6-inch touchscreen.
Interior
Inside the Q7 you get the same seven-seat setup and cargo space of between 30.5 and 72 cubic feet. As standard, the vehicle comes equipped with automatic soft closing doors, fragrance ionizer, quad-zone climate control, and a 3D sound system from Band & Olufsen. When it comes to safety, buyers get Adaptive Speed Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Active Lane Assist, and Efficiency Assist which automatically accelerates and brakes the vehicle according to prevailing circumstances.
Something from the Urus
The Q7 comes with something special underneath: a new anti-roll suspension borrowed from the Lamborghini Urus. The car is based on the MLB Evo platform which is also used in the Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, Volkswagen Touareg, and it's cousin the Urus. This platform also includes optional four-wheel steering.
Going Green
The Q7 now runs on a mild-hybrid system that includes a 48-volt lithium-ion battery that packs up to 8 kWh. Apparently, the battery helps launch the vehicle a lot faster and is able to last up to 40 seconds at speeds of between 34 mph and 99 mph while the engine is off.
Engines
Nothing has been said about the engines yet, but Audi did mention that buyers will get two turbocharged diesel engines, one turbocharged gas engine, and a plug-in hybrid. The 3.0-liter TDI will produce either 228 horsepower or 281 horsepower while the 3.0-liter TFSI will produce 335 horsepower. An 8-speed Tiptronic transmission will come as standard on all variants.
Rear-Wheel Steering
Another innovation borrowed from the Urus is the rear-wheel steering feature which turns the rear wheels 5 degrees towards the opposite direction when the Q7 is moving at high speed. This helps to stabilize the car and to make it more agile when changing direction.
No Longer a School Bus
The Q7 was for a long time compared to a school bus due to its old and outdated look. When Audi bought Lamborghini, little did people know that the former would actually borrow a thing or two from the latter. Thanks to this, the new Q7 is now a large and catchy SUV that can easily race at the Nurburgring.
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