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2016 Audi SQ7 Prototype Crashes at Nurburgring

A test engineer working with the 2016 Audi SQ7 pushed way too hard into the carousel corner of the Nurburgring and hit the crash barrier yesterday.
2016 Audi SQ7 20 photos
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
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The impact with the wall seems severe and sends the 2-ton SUV flying into the air for a short moment. Because test prototypes have their airbags deactivated on the track, none of them gets deployed, but it's clear the driver was shaken up.

However, despite the fact that the SUV goes flying through the air for a second, the right side that hit the wall looks almost completely fine. Sure, it won't buff out, but the panels are the same as those on a regular Q7, so they are easily replaced.

The SQ7 is the next big debut in Audi's SUV range, and we do mean big. This performance model will compete with the likes of BMW's X5 M50d and Mercedes' GLE 450 AMG.

It's yet unknown what specific engine is under the bonnet of the SQ7. Nevertheless, we expect that the 4-liter TFSI twin-turbo of the S6 and S7 will be offered in America, packing north of 450 horsepower (maybe the same 520 hp as the S8).

A diesel version for Europe is also possible, powered by either the "tri-turbo" V6 TDI used by the RS5 TDI concept of last year or an all-new V8 TDI. Spy photos taken from inside the car suggest it's packing a diesel punch, since the tachometer only goes to 6,000rpm.

That might not sound like a lot, but you've got to remember the new generation of Q7 is the lightest model in its class, as a 3.0 TDI base unit tips the scales at 1,995 kilograms. Bigger brakes and a faster shifting automatic gearbox will be part of the package too.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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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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