All New Audi Q7: A Walkthrough

Okay, this Audi Pavilion was a decent area at the Auto Expo 2016, as most of us who have visited the Expo, know this. Most of the cars parked there were quite intimidating like the A8 Prologue concept, a yellow R8 V10 Plus, the TT, the red S3. These I observed from a distance of 50-70 meters in that arena, I also observed the next generation A4 alongside an estate car. Wait! Did I just say, an estate? Yes! Because that is what I was able to observe from that distance in a crowd of like hundred other people (like myself), but as I moved into the Audi’s stable there, I instantly realised that it was the All-new Q7. Felt quite sad, about my first sight judging. Then I was actually quite astonished to hear about the level of improvement that this next gen SUV incorporates.

Looks First!

To be very honest, the all-new Q7 sheds its bossy appeal that the outgone Q7 carried. It has become sober and may be because this time around, it has matured into a car that is way lighter and super advanced over its predecessor, I'll tell you why.

The Q7 now carries a more sharp layout, aligned with Audi’s latest design language, the Matrix LED headlamps docked neatly into the single frame grille. This sharpness is carried to the sides as well, a grey rub rail is embedded in the bodywork embossed with “Quattro”, a straight shoulder crease and the ORVM. 

The diamond cut alloy wheels carried all black spokes diving into the hub, while the outer perimeter carried the ground bifurcating spokes and the outer ring. The rear was topped off by the usual all LED tail lamps, now done into a sleeker layout. Moreover, the all around plastic cladding made it look a little bit rugged, but still in a clinical manner.

How is it to sit in?

The exteriors will impress you, but like me, you have to be in a close vicinity of the car to observe the details of the little SUV-ness that it carries. For interiors, I am trying to contemplate from where I should start, because there is so much to talk about. Like the dashboard is dominated by a rail of A/C vents that starts off from the instrument cluster and ends with the dash towards the passenger side. Then there is the retractable infotainment screen that pops out of the top of the dash. Another highlight is Audi’s latest virtual cockpit, a system that is very intuitive, thanks to the high definition graphics that it uses while aiding you to navigate through it. 

Taking care of the musical symphonies is an advanced Bose music system hooked to ten speakers that works in conjunction with MMI navigation and MMI touch and obviously, supports voice command.

One more thing-the quality, needless to say, but I'll still say it, is top-notch. Actually, it could be deemed best in its category. The car also implies advanced sound-reducing materials to make interiors nearly soundproof.

Under the Skin

Now this is where the next generation Q7 has taken a massive leap in terms of suspensions, in terms of weight reduction, underpinnings and aerodynamics as well. The car sheds almost 100 kilos from the suspensions alone and down another ~220 kilos as compared to the last generation of Q7. This is one point where the new Q7 becomes agiler.

Then there is the motor, despite being the same 3.0 V6 TDI, the power has increased and surprisingly the efficiency too. The motor is refined to produce 183 KW of power, mated to an 8-speed dual clutch that is hooked to the all-wheel-drive Quattro. This system variably channels the power to all the four wheel, according to the requirement of the road they are driven on. 

Bottomline, there is the BMW X5 or the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, but both of these a step or two behind the latest Q7. However, when it comes to look the X5 or the GL-Class are still more SUV than the Q7.

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