Photo: Audi
Didn't Audi once say it would never make a performance SUV? Because they already have two of them with a third on its way, ready to pounce on unsuspecting rivals from Mercedes and BMW.
During a recent interview with British magazine AutoCar, the German automaker's Board Member for Technical Development Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg said basically confirmed the existence of an SQ7 model based on the next generation full-size luxury SUV platform they're currently working on.
According to him, the regular Q7 models will debut in 2015 "but the electric turbo will come a bit later in the Audi SQ7 available in 2016.” The official is of course referring to the electrically driven charger fitted to the RS5 TDI Concept, which they built to celebrate 25 year of diesel engines.
The so-called tri-turbo V6 TDI engine produced an impressive 85 PS and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque and was good for 0 to 100 km/h in four seconds, which is impressive considering the RS5's weight.
We've driven one of these revolutionary new diesels on the all-new X5 earlier this year and found it was a good halfway point between the regular models and the X5 M – not as direct and engaging, but still fast. And at the end of the day, having one extra turbo than everybody else means you get extra bragging rights.
We think the company could use the same formula and market two distinct models under the same SQ6 badge. The 4.0-liter V8 motivating the S8 sedan seems like a good candidate for the tri-turbo diesel's more powerful, thirstier brother. But that could just be wishful thinking on our part.
According to him, the regular Q7 models will debut in 2015 "but the electric turbo will come a bit later in the Audi SQ7 available in 2016.” The official is of course referring to the electrically driven charger fitted to the RS5 TDI Concept, which they built to celebrate 25 year of diesel engines.
The so-called tri-turbo V6 TDI engine produced an impressive 85 PS and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque and was good for 0 to 100 km/h in four seconds, which is impressive considering the RS5's weight.
Why Is Audi Going With a Diesel SQ7?
Rival company BMW introduced a revolutionary tri-turbo engine of its own when the previous generations of the X5 and X6 were on their last legs. The Bavarians paired around 380 horsepower with sporty suspension systems and body kits under the new M Performance division's umbrella.We've driven one of these revolutionary new diesels on the all-new X5 earlier this year and found it was a good halfway point between the regular models and the X5 M – not as direct and engaging, but still fast. And at the end of the day, having one extra turbo than everybody else means you get extra bragging rights.
No TFSI?
So where does that leave the petrolheads who want more motor in their SUV? Well, Audi currently offers two flavors of the the smaller SQ5. One is designed for the American market and offers the same supercharged V6 as the S4/S5, the other is sold exclusively in Europe and packs the 313 PS twin-turbo 3-liter diesel.We think the company could use the same formula and market two distinct models under the same SQ6 badge. The 4.0-liter V8 motivating the S8 sedan seems like a good candidate for the tri-turbo diesel's more powerful, thirstier brother. But that could just be wishful thinking on our part.
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