Audi Malaysia has teased us with the second-generation, all-new Audi Q7 on their website, hinting at an arrival sometime in November, although no date has been confirmed as yet. This new SUV has a smaller footprint than its predecessor, and weighs as much as 325kg less, thanks to extensive use of high tensile steel.
The Q7 is offered with three engine choices globally, but it’s unsure at press time which of the three we will be getting. A 3.0-litre TFSI V6 is largely possible considering that the previous Q7 sold here had that engine, though we reckon the new 2.0-litre TFSI inline-four engine may also be introduced to the Malaysian market. Both engines however, will share the same quattro four-wheel drive system.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TFSI | Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI | Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI |
| Drive Type | Quattro permanent all-wheel drive | ||
| Engine | 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 | 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 | 2.0-litre inline-4 cylinder, turbocharged |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic with Tiptronic | 8-speed automatic with Tiptronic | 8-speed automatic with Tiptronic |
| Max Power | 333 hp | 272 hp | 252 hp |
| Max Torque | 440 Nm | 600 Nm | 370 Nm |
In terms of design, the new Q7 feels like a hit and miss. Despite sharing a similar side profile with the previous model, this new model is sharp all-around, ditching the soft and curvy touch of the older Q7 which was easy on the eyes and quite frankly withstood the test of time fairly well. At the front, it gets Audi’s signature Singleframe grille, and the headlights are xenon-powered as standard. They can be upgraded to either LED or Matrix LED, though.
Standard wheel size measure at 18-inch wheels wrapped with 235/65 R18 profile tyres, with additional wheel sizes that go up to 21 inches. In base trim, the lower side of the bumpers are plastic and finished in anthracite, while having it painted in body colour is an additional cost. If you go with the S-Line trim, you get bolder bumpers, spoiler, diffuser, air inlets, side sills and of course, the S-Line badge.
The interior however, is where you’ll feel the bulk of your money’s worth. For starters, there’s a 7-inch centrally mounted display, though that can be upgraded to an 8.3-inch unit with MMI navigation plus. Upholstery ranges from materials such as Alcantara, fabric, Cricket leather or fine Valcona leather with built-in 18-way adjuster and optional massage function. A third row passenger seat is optional, but if without, luggage space is expanded to 890 litres that shoots up to 2,075 litres with the second row seats folded down!
Also new to the Q7 is its ambient lighting feature that changes colour via the MMI controller. Rear occupants can benefit from one or two 10.1-inch screens fitted behind the head restraints of both front seats. There’s WiFi hotspot for multi-device connectivity, and sound is put out through 10-speakers as standard. If that’s not enough, there’s a 23-speaker Bang and Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 3D Sound package.
There are as many as seven driving modes here via Audi’s Drive Select: Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, Allroad and Lift/Offroad. It’s not short on safety features either, for it comes with rear parking aid, cruise control with adjustable speed limiter, rest recommendation and Audi pre-sense city safety system with braking intervention as standard. As with many other features on the car, there’s also the optional Safety pack: Parking, City and Tour.
The Parking package gives you an all-around view of the car with automated parking. For the City pack, you get cross-traffic assist and carpark exit warning system. The Tour pack comes with adaptive cruise control including stop and go traffic assist. Now, with that out of the way, enjoy the picture gallery we’ve put together for you.
IMAGE GALLERY
