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Audi Q7 Prototype Shows Its Headlights and Trapezoidal Exhausts in Latest Spy Photos

That's right, we're back to show you the Audi Q7, an SUV that everybody loves to have. "It's ugly and big", "it's not a real Audi", "nobody should buy that" – and yet despite all that, a replacement is on its way, carrying with it all the latest technology from the German automaker.
2016 Audi Q7 9 photos
Photo: CarPix
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This isn't the first time a next-gen Q7 prototype is spotted. We've seen them in various stages of development for about a year now, thanks in part to a delay caused by design problems. However, this latest sighting reveals the all-important headlight design, as well as a set of new trapezoidal exhaust tips, similar to the ones on the A7 and A8 facelifts.

Just like we've established in one of our previous reports, the new Q7 is more car-like. Its once bolstered and flared wheel arches are now discrete, just as we've seen with new Range Rovers coming out in the past year.

Keen-eyed Audi fans will also spot the new fog lights or side intakes on the front bumper, which also have a clean and geometric design, just like on an A3 compact.

A lighter, stiffer MLB Evo aluminum platform will be help reduce overall weight by as much as 300 kg (+660 pounds), at least according to some reports.

TDI+TFSI

What we can tell you for sure is what will power the new Q7. Two brand new diesel V6 mills are ready to replace the existing ones. The base model will have 218 hp instead of the current 204 hp, while the 245 hp mid-grade V6 will be jumped up to 272 hp and 600 Nm of torque. Despite having more power, both will be more efficient as well.

Meanwhile in the petrol range Audi is likely to use only one version of the 3.0 TFSI, either the 310 or the 333 hp unit. Transmission choices are likely to revolve around the eight-speed Tiptronic automatic sourced from ZF and combined with Audi quattro all-wheel drive (although they might sneak a 7-speed in on a base model or two).
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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