What is it?

The Audi Q7’s journey of success began in 2003 as a concept car called the Audi Pikes Peak quattro at the North American International Motor Show. Conceived as a vehicle suitable for driving on all roads and moderate off-road use, the Q7 has been around for nearly 20 years.

Exterior:

The fresh exterior design with new front and rear sections underscores the powerful character of the SUV, which offers versatility and space for up to seven passengers, Audi claims.

The unmistakably upright Audi Singleframe with an octagon design now boasts vertical inlays. This makes it clear at first glance that the vehicle is an Audi top model and differentiates it from the A models in the range.

In addition, the new interplay between the grille’s contours and the headlights, now positioned slightly higher, makes for a completely new front-end architecture.

Technology:

High-intensity Matrix LED headlights light up the road as standard. HD Matrix LED headlights, with the Audi laser light, are also available. They work with 24 LEDs and a high-power laser diode each and are immediately recognisable via a blue ambient light incorporated into the headlights that symbolises the precision of laser technology. The laser light becomes active above 70km/h and significantly increases the high beam range.

New for the top-of-the-range headlights are digital daytime running light signatures. They give the Q7 its unmistakable appearance by allowing the user to select one of four various light signatures via the MMI.

However, not just the headlights’ extended range of functions is new; so too is their design. The higher position of the daytime running lights gives the Q7 a wider appearance and more expressiveness. For the first time, the Q7 also features digitalised OLED rear lights (OLED = organic light emitting diode) as an option, which also feature four digital light signatures.

Engines:

The range opens with the Q7 55 TFSI featuring a six-cylinder petrol engine with three litres of displacement and direct fuel injection that delivers 250kW and 500Nm.

The sportier SQ7 TFSI now runs on the established four-litre TFSI with 373kW and 770Nm of torque with an eight-speed tiptronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Trim levels:

Audi South Africa will offer the 55 TFSI in Platinum Edition and Black Edition trim lines. The SQ7, meanwhile, can additionally be specified in the Black Edition trim line, which includes a Black styling package plus, Black mirror housings, a Singleframe surround in black, as well as privacy glazing for the rear windows.

Prices:

Q7 55 TFSI quattro Tiptronic Platinum Edition (R1 958 000), Q7 55 TFSI quattro Tiptronic Black Edition (R1 987 900), SQ7 TFSI quattro Tiptronic (R2 540 500) and the SQ7 TFSI quattro Tiptronic Black Edition (R2 574 500).