All-new 2016 Audi Q7 officially unwrapped

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Following yesterday’s leak, Audi has officially unwrapped the all-new 2016 Q7.

Headlining the improvements for the second generation Q7 is the lightweight body structure, some 325kg less weight than its predecessor. Audi says its new flagship SUV sets standards in the premium SUV segment, with a low centre of gravity and extremely agile handling.

Tipping the scale at 1,995kg, Audi claims the new Q7 is the lightest in its class, thanks to the use of ultra-high-strength steel forming the backbone of the occupant cell and aluminium castings for the doors, front and rear sections as well as the superstructure.

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The Q7’s exterior dimensions have gone smaller compared to the previous model, while interior space has grown. The full size SUV is 37 millimeters shorter and 15 millimeters narrower while remaining virtually the same height. Inside, however, there is an additional 21 millimeters between the first and second rows of seats, and head room has increased by 41 millimeters and 23 millimeters in the first and second rows, respectively.

Based on the all-new MLB Evo platform that will also underpin the next-generation Porsche Cayenne and Bentley’s first SUV (previewed by the EXP 9 F concept), the new Q7 sports an evolutionary styling and adopts the brand’s latest single shield grille that first made its debut on the Audi Crosslane Coupe concept. At the back, the new taillights have lost its round edges and appear more chiseled.

The most dramatic change though, is the interior that looks to be lifted straight off Audi’s latest concepts. It looks classy and sports the premium brand’s latest digital instruments and a brand new steering wheel.

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The 2016 Audi Q7 carries over the range of 6- and 8-cylinder engines from the previous model albeit tweaked for better efficiency and performance.

At launch in Europe, Audi will offer a 3.0-litre TFSI and a 3.0-litre TDI engine. The petrol powered 3.0 TFSI develops 245kW and 440Nm, enough for the Q7 to sprint from zero to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds. Average fuel economy is rated at 7.7L/100km.

The 3.0 TDI diesel unit produces 200kW and 600Nm, propelling the Q7 from 0 to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. It consumes 5.7L/100km of diesel in the combined cycle.

A second variant of the 3.0 TDI focusing on efficiency with 160 kW and 500 Nm of torque will follow at a later date. There will also be a new 2.0 TFSI with an output of 185 kW and 370 Nm of torque designed primarily for the Asian markets and the US.

The new Q7 also gets an e-tron plug-in hybrid version with a 190kW 3.0-litre V6 diesel paired with a 94kW electric motor for a combined output of 275kW and 700Nm. It is Audi’s first ever plug-in hybrid diesel with a rated fuel consumption of just 1.7L/100km. 0-100km/h acceleration takes just 6 seconds flat.

All powerplants are mated to a newly developed eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system.

The 2016 Audi Q7 will hit showrooms worldwide in the second half of next year.

 

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