Audi has a lethal weapon in the form of the Q7 SUV, which has just received a generation upgrade. This third generation Audi Q7 has just been launched and is positioned below the recently teased Q9. With a 3 meter longer wheelbase, the new Q7 brings revised aesthetics, the flagship interior from the Q9, flexible seating options and peak power up to 600 PS.
The fight is still on with mid-size luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90. The new third generation Audi Q7 is also the pinnacle of Audi’s engineering as it offers cutting-edge technology, innovative lighting, clever autonomous driving features and a new-age proposition to woo buyers in the future. Given how popular the Q7 is here, it is likely to be launched in India as well.
Third generation Audi Q7 launched
In terms of design, the new third-generation Audi Q7 features a complete overhaul of the brand’s new design language that we have seen on small SUVs. We get a split LED headlight design with DRLs at the top and matrix LED headlights at the bottom. There is a large grille in the middle with the Audi logo and below this grille, we can see a silver-lined lower grille.
The new Q7 looks much more muscular and even the side profile is now straighter and boxier than before. Notable are the chrome surrounds for the window area, large wheels, traditional door handles, body-coloured cladding and an almost straight belt line. At the rear, we can see the illuminated Audi logo, connected light bar and new LED tail lights.
These new lights on the third generation Q7 are very clever and can do things like warn for icy roads and even project turn indicators on the ground. It can warn road users when the door is open, warn cars behind about accidents or malfunctions and even ask followers to back off when the Q7 gets close.
The technology in the third generation Q7 extends beyond lighting. The quattro features permanent AWD, all wheel steering, electronically controlled damping and adaptive air suspension that can use map data to prepare for obstacles like train crossings and can even lower or raise it to aid entry and exit, it can remember up to 5 parking spaces on its own and it can pull to the side and stop automatically if it detects an unresponsive driver and also call emergency services.
Interior from the flagship Q9
On the inside, the interior of the third generation Audi Q7 is similar to the recently revealed Audi Q9. This means new-age and contemporary dashboard with excellent materials, triple screen layout, wooden inlays and much more. The central infotainment and driver clusters are OLED displays housed in the same curved housing. It also has a panoramic glass roof that can be switched opaque.
Depending on the market, the new Q7 will come with a 5-seater or 7-seater layout as standard. Like the Q9, the middle bench can be configured for captain seats, a first for the Q7. Boot space starts at 700L. The standard Q7 can be had with a 295 bhp and 630 Nm 3.0L V6 diesel engine and a 429 bhp 2.9L V6 petrol. The Audi SQ7 will feature a 4.0L V8 with power up to 600 PS and acceleration of 0-97 km/h in 3.7 seconds.
