Audi Q7

 The SUV went on sale in India in December last year priced at INR 72 lacs and INR 77.5 lacs for the Premium Plus and Technology trims respectively. We took it for a spin and you can read all about it here in our 2016 Audi Q7 Test Drive Review.

. It gets a very bold single-frame front grille flanked by full LED headlamps with daytime running lights, which is easily the best bit about the design. At the back, you get sharper full LED tailamps. The side profile is now more estate like than before thanks to a more upright tailgate. And if the new Q7 appears smaller than its predecessor that’s because it actually is. 

What’s it Like on the Inside?

The new Q7 is now, without a doubt, a much nicer place to be in. The all-digital instrument console called the Audi ‘Virtual Cockpit’ and the vents that extend throughout the dashboard are the standout features of the new design. The display has been tucked neatly into the dash and pops out once the vehicle is turned on.

Powering the Audi Q7 45 TDI is an updated version of the 3.0 L V6 Diesel that now puts out 245 bhp of max power and a peak torque of 600 Nm. All this power is transmitted to all four wheels via the Quattro AWD system and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. 

 It firms up the suspension and alters the throttle response to give you the urgency and stiffness you need for a spot of spirited driving. Piloting the Q7 is easier than its size might suggest thanks to the light steering and the lot set dashboard offering great visibility from the driver’s seat.

Although most SUVs these days are restricted to the confines of the city, in case you decide to take your Q7 off the beaten track, Audi has you covered. In addition to Audi’s Quattro AWD system, which splits power between the front and the rear wheels depending on the requirement, there is the ‘Off-Road’ setting that raises the up by 60 mm increasing the ground clearance to 235 mm. .

Final Word

 It gets off the line very eagerly and there is never an instance when you feel a lack of power. A lot of it is down to the 8-speed ZF transmission, which shifts very smoothly and reacts precisely to throttle responses. For an SUV this size, the performance is definitely praiseworthy.

Specifications

Length x Width x Height	5052x1968x1740 mm
Kerb Weight	2060 kg
Wheel Type and Size	19” Alloys
Boot Space	295 L (Third Row Up)
Engine Type/ Displacement	3.0 L V6 Turbocharged Diesel
Power	245 bhp
Torque	600 Nm
Top Speed	234 kph
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)	7.1 sec
Transmission (Gearbox)	8-speed automatic with paddle shift
Mileage	14.75 kpl (claimed)
Air Conditioner Type	4-zone Automatic Climate Control
Price	INR 72-77.5 lacs (ex-showroom, New Delhi)