Photo: CarPix
Our carparazzi almost gave us a heart attack after sending in the first photos of the upcoming Audi SQ7 spotted free of camouflage while leaving what looks like an Audi facility.
The Q7 took the Detroit Motors Show by storm, and it should hit dealerships this summer because what we got here is way better: the 2016 Audi SQ7 spotted free of camouflage, during pre-production testing.
How do we know this is not your average Audi Q7? First of all, those quad tip exhaust outlets on the test prototype betray the SUV's real pedigree. There's definitely a high-performance warning sent out to competitors from the rear end, but we also found more clues by looking at the prototype's face.
On a regular Q7, the area around the fog lights would normally be surrounded by plastic bits, which does not apply to this prototype, as the black plastic zones were clearly cut out. Plus, the heavy-duty ceramic brakes are a pretty in-your-face display, hinting again at a hardcore model.
It also looks like intercoolers are peeking out from behind these openings, making us wonder what high-performance forced-induction gimmick will lie under the hood.
We have a partial answer to that since Audi already made it clear that the upcoming SQ7 will use a TDI powerplant and an electric supercharger. Pictures of the car's interior confirm that once you take a closer look at the instrument cluster dials.
We can only speculate at this time, but the engine powering the 2016 SQ7 might be a pumped-up version of the V6 TDI plant introduced by the RS5 TDI concept. As a second choice, Audi will probably opt for their 4.0-liter TFSI twin-turbo V8 already powering a handful of Audi's S and RS versions, as well as Bentleys.
Expect it to offer anywhere between 500 and 600 HP, but we'll wait for official specs from Audi. The Ingolstadt-based carmaker could also do the same as with the Audi SQ5, which only comes with a diesel engine in Europe, whereas the U.S. market receives an exclusive petrol variant.
Call it a funny coincidence or a twist of fate, but in one of the pictures you can see a street sign saying 'Rudolf Diesel Strasse'. Moreove, peak in performance will most likely generate the need for an updated suspension system, plus a more aggressive body kit as well as a sporty flavor inside the cabin.
How do we know this is not your average Audi Q7? First of all, those quad tip exhaust outlets on the test prototype betray the SUV's real pedigree. There's definitely a high-performance warning sent out to competitors from the rear end, but we also found more clues by looking at the prototype's face.
On a regular Q7, the area around the fog lights would normally be surrounded by plastic bits, which does not apply to this prototype, as the black plastic zones were clearly cut out. Plus, the heavy-duty ceramic brakes are a pretty in-your-face display, hinting again at a hardcore model.
It also looks like intercoolers are peeking out from behind these openings, making us wonder what high-performance forced-induction gimmick will lie under the hood.
We have a partial answer to that since Audi already made it clear that the upcoming SQ7 will use a TDI powerplant and an electric supercharger. Pictures of the car's interior confirm that once you take a closer look at the instrument cluster dials.
We can only speculate at this time, but the engine powering the 2016 SQ7 might be a pumped-up version of the V6 TDI plant introduced by the RS5 TDI concept. As a second choice, Audi will probably opt for their 4.0-liter TFSI twin-turbo V8 already powering a handful of Audi's S and RS versions, as well as Bentleys.
Expect it to offer anywhere between 500 and 600 HP, but we'll wait for official specs from Audi. The Ingolstadt-based carmaker could also do the same as with the Audi SQ5, which only comes with a diesel engine in Europe, whereas the U.S. market receives an exclusive petrol variant.
Call it a funny coincidence or a twist of fate, but in one of the pictures you can see a street sign saying 'Rudolf Diesel Strasse'. Moreove, peak in performance will most likely generate the need for an updated suspension system, plus a more aggressive body kit as well as a sporty flavor inside the cabin.
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