Photo: Automedia
While the current Audi Q7 has always been a white goods sort of vehicle, never as thrilling as its competitors, there's something to be said about an SUV that has stayed in production for so long.
But enough is enough, and the Germans are busily working on the replacement, which should be ready next year. The test prototype we've just caught up with in Germany doesn't seem anywhere near close to production. It still uses bits and pieces from the automaker's parts bin, sadly not showing us the Matrix LED headlight the actual Q7 will have.
The new Q7 will reportedly lose as much as 363 kg (800 lbs). A lighter weight means engines will shrink as well, maybe going as low as 2 liters. Most of the engine range will center around 3-liter V6 displacement, topped off with the new twin-turbo 4-liter TFSI and the Toureg's new twin-turbo V8 diesel. A plug-in hybrid version will also be available, almost certainly from launch, scheduled for next year. Volkswagen group CEO Martin Winterkorn says he wants to have as many as 40 electrified vehicles and the Q7 is definitely on the to-do list.
As exciting as that sounds, we are more interested in a potential Q7 RS or SQ7 model coming our way. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is so right for this car.
The same MLB platform used by the next Q7 could also spawn the new Q8. It will be quite interesting to see how the styling will work itself out, and how Audi will diferentiate its old flagship SUV from its new one. So far, this test mule is keeping all its secrets hidden.
The new Q7 will reportedly lose as much as 363 kg (800 lbs). A lighter weight means engines will shrink as well, maybe going as low as 2 liters. Most of the engine range will center around 3-liter V6 displacement, topped off with the new twin-turbo 4-liter TFSI and the Toureg's new twin-turbo V8 diesel. A plug-in hybrid version will also be available, almost certainly from launch, scheduled for next year. Volkswagen group CEO Martin Winterkorn says he wants to have as many as 40 electrified vehicles and the Q7 is definitely on the to-do list.
As exciting as that sounds, we are more interested in a potential Q7 RS or SQ7 model coming our way. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is so right for this car.
The same MLB platform used by the next Q7 could also spawn the new Q8. It will be quite interesting to see how the styling will work itself out, and how Audi will diferentiate its old flagship SUV from its new one. So far, this test mule is keeping all its secrets hidden.
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