Milton Keynes, January 30, 2024 – Audi has upgraded its flagship family SUV with a refreshed design and enhanced technology. The redesigned exterior, featuring new front and rear sections, underscores the powerful character of the new Q7 SUV, which offers first-class versatility and generous space for up to seven passengers. For the first time in a Q7 SUV, the HD Matrix LED headlights with laser as an additional high beam feature digital daytime running lights with selectable light signatures. Digital OLED rear lights with four selectable rear light designs complete the lighting technology upgrade. New wheels, exterior colours, and enhanced specifications lend the Q family’s most versatile SUV an even higher level of customizability. UK sales of the enhanced Q7 SUV line-up will begin in March, with prices starting at £66,605 (OTR). The first customer deliveries are expected in May.
Powerful, spacious, and elegant: Exterior
The Q7, the largest and most versatile SUV in the brand’s line-up, now features Audi’s modern design language with a more minimalist form and clean surfaces. The overhangs and wheelbase demonstrate powerful and self-confident proportions that are further emphasised by distinctive exterior colours and wheels. The unmistakably upright Audi Singleframe with an octagon design now features vertical inlays in an L shape. This makes it clear at first glance that the vehicle is a flagship Audi and differentiates it from the A models. In addition, the grille’s contours and the repositioned headlights make for a completely new front-end design that clearly emphasises the Q7’s purposeful new appearance, while reduced decorative elements give a cleaner and more purist look.
Aligned even more closely with the SQ7 TFSI, the S line model stands out with its clearly accentuated side air intakes in the front bumper, giving the vehicle an even sportier look.
The newly designed headlights featuring HD Matrix LED technology with lasers as an additional beam light (Vorsprung spec only), as well as the digital daytime running lights positioned on the upper horizontal edge, give the Q7 an even more purposeful look. In combination with the digital OLED rear lights, which are available for the Q7 for the first time, the premium-class character of the model becomes even clearer.
A leading light: HD Matrix LED headlights with laser high beam
Matrix LED headlights light up the road as standard. The top spec Vorsprung model benefits from the advanced HD Matrix LED headlights with the Audi laser light. 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 at 43.5 mph 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 characteristic and 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 is their design. The higher position of the daytime running lights gives the Q7 a wider appearance and a more expressive look. For the first time, the Q7 also features largely digitalized OLED rear lights (OLED = organic light-emitting diode) on the top-spec Vorsprung models, which also feature four digital light signatures.
In addition, as in the Audi A8, Q8, and Q5, the digital OLED rear lights have a proximity indication feature in conjunction with the assistance systems: When other road users approach the stationary Q7 from behind to within two metres (6.6 ft), the control units automatically activate all of the digital OLED segments. Additional functions include dynamic turn signals as well as various coming-home and leaving-home sequences that match each digital light signature.
New colours and wheels expand the equipment range
With the latest product upgrade, Audi has refined the equipment range for the Q7. Three new finishes are available that allow customers to further personalise the exterior look; for a particularly sporty appearance, the range of metallic finishes now includes Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue, and Chilli Red. New alloy wheel designs up to 22” have also been introduced in the line-up.
As part of the model update, Audi is also expanding the range of apps; for the first time, passengers can directly use popular apps from third-party providers (for example, Spotify or Amazon Music). Regular software updates and a constantly expanding range of apps make for even greater individualization of the infotainment system. A store with a market-specific app portfolio expands the third-generation modular infotainment toolkit (MIB 3).
Enhancements have also been made to the driver assistance systems, chiefly the Audi virtual cockpit, which now displays a lane change warning, other road users (trucks, cars, and motorcycles), distance warning, intersection assist, and traffic light info online in stunning full HD quality.
Three highly specified core trim levels are available across the Q7 line-up: S line, Black Edition, and Vorsprung. An exclusive Launch Edition will be available in limited numbers from the market introduction, sitting between the Black Edition and the Vorsprung model.
Standard equipment across the line-up includes quattro all-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension, Matrix LED headlamps, a rear view camera, Valcona leather upholstery, electrically adjustable heated front sports seats with ‘S’ embossed logo, Audi Viritual cockpit, climate control, and privacy glass. Stepping up to Black Edition brings larger 21” matt dark grey Audi Sport wheels, sport adaptive air suspension, and a black high gloss package plus with black rings.
Highlights of the flagship Vorsprung trim include HD Matrix LED headlamps with Audi laserlight, a panoramic roof, all-wheel steering, and larger 22” black metallic Audi Sport wheels. Inside, an extended leather pack, B&O Premium Sound System, four-zone climate control, a head-up display, and front seat ventilation and massage functions are fitted as standard.
Safe on every surface: suspension with Audi’s DNA
Only an Audi drives like an Audi. Five characteristics define the SUV’s handling: balanced, solid, controlled, precise, and effortless. The suspension, steering, drive, braking, and control systems all play a key role in creating a reliably safe, confident, and comfortable driving experience. The Q7 is also reliable and safe as a towing vehicle; it can tow up to 3.5 tonnes.
Electronically controlled air suspension with a continuously adaptive damping system is standard equipment across the Q7 line-up. Depending on the driver’s preferences and the driving situation, the suspension adjusts the ride height by up to 90mm while also offering level control. On the highway, the suspension lowers automatically by up to 30mm, depending on the current speed, and by 15mm with adaptive air suspension sport. During off-road driving, the “Lift” function in Audi Drive Select can be used to increase the ground clearance by up to 60mm at low speeds. In addition, all-wheel steering (standard on Vorsprung and SQ7 models) ensures an increased level of safety and comfort. At low speeds, the back wheels turn up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels. This reduces the turning radius by up to one metre (3.3 ft) and increases manageability. At the same time, the driver feels more comfort and stability at higher speeds because the back wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels.
All-wheel steering is available only on the SQ7 model. To improve the SUV’s handling in everyday situations, such as manoeuvring in and out of parking spaces, the steering system was optimised for greater ease. Another helpful feature is remote park assist plus (standard on Vorsprung specification or part of the optional Technology pack pro). It uses the camera in combination with the radar and ultrasonic sensors to easily manoeuvre the Audi Q7 into tight parking spaces. Customers can control the parking manoeuvre using the myAudi app on their smartphone. When they’re ready to leave the parking space, customers can start the engine in the myAudi app, at which point the vehicle manoeuvres out enough so they can enter comfortably.
Efficient and powerful: Drive systems
The range opens with the 45 TDI quattro, a 3.0-litre diesel engine that develops 231PS and an impressive 500Nm of torque, which extends over a plateau between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. From a standing start, the Audi Q7 45 TDI accelerates from 0-62 mph in 7.1 seconds. It has a top speed of 140 mph.
This engine is followed by the 50 TDI quattro, a more powerful version of the same 3.0-litre diesel engine with 286PS and 600Nm of torque. This means 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph.
The Audi Q7 55 TFSI features a 3.0-litre six-cylinder Otto engine with direct fuel injection that delivers 340PS. It delivers a maximum torque of 500Nm in a broad engine speed range from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. With its turbocharged petrol engine, the Audi Q7 accelerates from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds. It reaches its electronically governed top speed at 155mph.
All V6 engines in the Audi Q7 boast a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes. This is more than enough to tow campers, horse trailers, and the like. All engines work together with an eight-speed tiptronic, quattro permanent four-wheel drive, and the mild-hybrid system, which can achieve a fuel consumption advantage of up to 0.5 litres per 62 miles in operation. Its key components are a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter (BAS) that supply power to the SUV’s 48V main electrical system. Between 34 and 99mph, the Q7 can coast with the engine off for up to 40 seconds when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator. After braking, the BAS restarts the six-cylinder quickly and very conveniently. The start-stop range starts at as low as 14 mph.
Dominant in every situation: the Audi SQ7 with a V8 TFSI gas engine
Sportiness is deeply rooted in the genes of the new SQ7 TFSI. Design upgrades extend to a redesigned spoiler at the front, an expressive diffuser, and oval double tailpipes at the rear, which are typical for S-Models from Audi. The Singleframe stands out with vertical L-shaped inlays, while the larger air intakes feature honeycomb grilles across the surface. An anthrachite black finish is also applied to the exterior mirror housings, the Singleframe and the edging of the side air intakes. The same colour scheme is also used for the inlay in the side skirt.
As part of the product upgrade, the SQ7 TFSI now runs on the established 4.0-litre TFSI with 507PS and 770Nm of torque with fast-shifting eight-speed tiptronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. With this engine, the SQ7 TFSI accelerates from 0-62 mph in just 4.1 seconds, with an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. With its firing order of 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, the 4.0 TFSI provides a distinctively sporty sound. At low to medium loads and acceleration speeds, the cylinder on demand system deactivates cylinders 2, 3, 5, and 8 in the upper gears by shutting off injection and ignition and closing the intake and exhaust valves. The switching process takes just milliseconds and goes almost unnoticed. When the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the deactivated cylinders reactivate immediately. To achieve the sporty sound, there is an exhaust flap in the two outer tailpipes of the exhaust system that modulates the sound depending on load and rev speed.
For an ideal driving experience, a vehicle requires not only first-class engines but also outstanding suspension components. With the SQ7 Vorsprung, customers also benefit from the sport differential as standard. When cornering at high speed, it uses two multi-disc clutches to shift the torques between the rear wheels, giving the wheel on the outside of the curve, which has the better grip, the greater share. Known as torque vectoring, this makes handling even more effortless and precise. When turning or accelerating in a curve, the large SUV literally presses into the curve, minimising the tendency to understeer.
SQ7 Vorsprung specification also includes electromechanical active roll stabilisation (eAWS). Here, both axles are equipped with a compact electric motor coupled to a transmission. It splits the stabiliser into two halves. When driving straight, it allows them to work largely independently of each other, which reduces body movements on uneven roads. In sporty driving, however, the electric motor causes the two halves to rotate in opposite directions, thus working together as a unit. This means that the car leans into the curve significantly less, and the steering response becomes more precise. The eAWS is powered by a 48-volt super capacitor. The compact, lightweight energy storage unit, which can absorb and release high currents in a very short time, supplies the two electric motors with a maximum power of 1.5 kW each.
The Audi SQ7 TFSI rolls off the production line with 22” wheels as standard. The brake discs on the front axle have a diameter of 400 mm, while those on the rear axle measure 350mm. The black brake calipers, which come optionally in red, bear the S logo that defines Audi’s look on the front axle.
Versatile and spacious: Interior
The Q7 measures 5,072mm long, 1,970mm wide, and 1,748mm tall. Depending on the position of the rear backrests, the luggage compartment in offers a volume of between 780 litres (backrests up) and 1,908 litres (backrests down). The electric bootlid is standard and also features foot-responsive gesture control as an option.
