The all-new, second generation, 2016 Audi Q7 has been launched in India today, with prices starting from INR 72 lakh. Audi’s flagship SUV was unveiled in the presence of Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and director of the Indian team Ravi Shastri, along with Joe King, Head, Audi India. The all-new Audi Q7 range starts from INR 72,00,000 for the premium Plus variant, while the fully-loaded Technology variant is priced at INR 77,50,000 (ex-showroom Mumbai and New Delhi).
For now, the new Audi Q7 will be available in India with only one engine option – a reworked version of the erstwhile 3.0-litre TDI diesel engine, good for 249 hp and 600 Nm of torque. Since the new Q7, based on an aluminium intensive modular platform, weighs 325 kg less than its predecessor, it accelerates 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds with top speed of 234 kmph. What’s more, its weight savings have rendered it more frugal as well, with Audi claiming a 22 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, which translates into a best in class figure of 14.75 kmpl. Power is sent to all the wheels via a 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system with a self-locking center differential.
Styling is all-new, and though the new found appearance has traces of its predecessor, the lines are edgier and the surfaces tauter. Up front, flanking the new ‘3D-effect Singleframe’ grille are the Audi Matrix LED headlights, which come as standard on the all-new Q7. The sides are highlighted by a strong shoulder line and chromed inlay strips at the bottom of the doors with quattro embossing. The tailgate extending around the D-pillars are complemented by the new LED tail lamps. The new Q7 offers a choice of six exterior colours and two alloy wheel designs.
Even though the new Q7 is slightly shorter and narrower than its predecessor at 5,050mm long, 1,970mm wide and 1,740mm tall, along with a 2,990mm wheelbase, the interior offers more head room for passengers of both rows. The interior design is all-new and comes equipped with Audi’s new Virtual Cockpit* feature, the latest generation of the Audi MMI infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8.3-inch retractable display and an all-in-touch control panel with multi-touch capability and haptic feedback. Also on the offing is a Bose 3D Sound System with 19 speakers, a new, electrically adjustable four spoke, multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles and four-zone climate control.
The new Q7 can comfortably seat seven occupants, while total luggage space of 1,955 liters can be obtained by folding the second row seats which splits in the ratio of 35:30:35 for flexibility of the storage space. The interior inlays are trimmed with the different materials forming contrasts – upper inlay in brushed aluminium and lower in walnut terra brown. The new Q7 also benefits from Audi Drive Select that provides Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual and Off-road as standard modes. In conjunction with adaptive air suspension the All-road and lift/off road mode is added. Other driver assistance systems include the auto park assist and 360 degree surround camera with birds eye view.
*Audi’s Virtual Cockpit is a 31.24 cm, fully customizable, high contrast display in place of the traditional instrument cluster that integrates navigation, speed information and media information. It first appeared on the new, third-generation Audi TT Coupe.
