Audi Q7 upgraded

The Audi Q7 has received a midlife makeover, hot on the heels of the arrival of its most direct large luxury SUV rivals, the BMW X5 and upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Due for release by mid-2020 in Australia, where the second-generation Audi Q7 went on sale in September 2015, the upgraded seven-seat SUV brings updated exterior and interior designs, more technology including improved driver-assist systems and 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrains.

Few details about the latter have been announced (but are expected to be at the global launch late next month), Audi saying only that two turbo-diesel engine options will be available from launch in Europe in mid-September, followed by a petrol model and then a plug-in hybrid.

In Australia, the current Audi Q7 range is a diesel-only affair, comprising the 160kW TDI ($97,800), 200kW TDI ($106,900) and the diesel-electric Q7 TDI e-tron ($139,900), all powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel, plus the 4.0-litre V8 diesel-powered SQ7 TDI ($161,900).

Replacements for the SQ7 and Q7 e-tron (which is likely to be rebadged as the ‘TDI e’, as per Audi’s new PHEV naming strategy) are yet to be revealed, but once again all models will come standard with an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and permanent quattro all wheel drive.

The big powertrain upgrade is the fitment of a mild-hybrid system comprising 48V electrical system, compact lithium-ion battery and belt alternator starter (BAS) for all models, which Audi claims can reduce consumption by up to 0.7L/100km.

During braking, the system can recover up to 8kW of power and feed it back into the battery for later use. BAS also works when the accelerator pedal is lifted at speeds between 55 and 160km/h, restarting the engine faster and more gently than a conventional starter when the throttle is pressed, says Audi.

Other new tech includes electromechanical active roll stabilisation, which comprises reduces body roll in corners and on lumpy roads via adjustable stabiliser bars.

The system was previously reserved for the SQ7 and other Volkswagen Group models based on the same platform, such as the Bentley Bentayga. Also sharing the MLB Evo architecture is the new VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus.

Another optional new technology is four-wheel steering, which like similar systems improves manoeuvrability at low speed and stability at high speed by turning the rear wheels by up to five degrees in the opposite and same direction as the front wheels respectively.

In design terms, the upgraded Audi Q7 borrows from the latest new models in the German car-maker’s Q-badged SUV line-up, including the newly launched Q8 flagship and new Q3 due here later this year.

The style upgrade is led by a new octagonal ‘Singleframe’ grille with six vertical bars on a revised front bumper with fresh side air intakes. Similarly, slimmer LED tail-lights linked by a full-width chrome strip brings the Q7 into line with other Q models.

The only model revealed so far is this red S line vehicle featuring more aggressive bumpers, even bigger wheels than its standard 19-inch alloys and firmer adaptive air suspension.

Inside, the Audi Q7 gains the VW luxury brand’s new dual-screen MMI Touch infotainment set-up from the Q8, the option of an improved Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster and head-up display.

The latter now includes information from a new semi-autonomous adaptive cruise assist system (which combines adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist and lane-keeping) and new vehicle to infrastructure (Car-to-X) technology, which can brake or accelerate the vehicle according to oncoming road conditions including traffic lights in selected European cities. A new emergency assist function can also stop the car if its driver is unresponsive.

New connectivity systems include Audi’s latest MMI functions like WiFi hotspot and Audi Connect services such as online traffic information and Google Earth navigation mapping, plus compatibility with the cloud-based Amazon Alexa voice assistant.

Options will include multi-contour seats, S sports seats plus, seat heating, massaging and ventilation, air fragrancing and ioniser, powered soft-close doors, a Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System, configurable ambient lighting, four-zone climate control, HD Matrix LED headlights including laser light and a foot-activated gesture-control tailgate.

Standard equipment will include an electric tailgate to access up to 2050 litres of total luggage capacity and, likely in Australia, seven seats.

Audi says the Q7 continues to trump its direct rivals in terms of interior length, headroom and elbow room. The new-look bumpers see the Audi Q7 grow 11mm longer to 5063mm, with width remaining at 1970mm and height at 1741mm with roof-rails.