Audi SQ7 price and specifications revealed

Audi’s stonking new SQ7 performance SUV has reached Australian showrooms, priced from $153,616 plus on-road costs.

The new 4.0-litre V8 flagship sits atop the regular Q7 line-up in Australia, commanding a circa $50,000 premium over the next most expensive Q7, the 200kW 3.0-litre TDI.

However, it costs considerably less than the similarly-minded V12-powered Q7 last offered in Australia in 2012 for $257,700 plus ORCs.

The SQ7 will go head on with the BMW X5 M50d ($159,455 plus ORCs) and Porsche Cayenne S Diesel ($149,000 plus ORCs) with what Audi claims are three new technologies to its fold.

Chief among the flagship’s bristling array of tech is a newly-developed 4.0-litre TDI V8, producing 320kW and a maximum 900Nm of torque between 1000rpm and 3250rpm, and mated to an eight-speed automatic.

The instantaneous torque is owned in part to a revolutionary electric powered compressor (EPC), which forces air through two mechanical sequential exhaust turbochargers to essentially mitigate turbo lag.

Taking origins partly from the RS5 Concept from 2014, the system is partly responsible for a claimed zero to 100km/h time of 4.9 seconds in the SQ7; it supports the engine at low range by accelerating the engine’s compressor wheel up to 70,000rpm in less than 250 milliseconds. Once regular exhaust gases are on station to do their normal work, the EPC is bypassed and the mechanical units take over.

The EPC is powered by another Audi-first, a 48-volt electric subsystem that features a compact lithium-ion battery in the lower level of the boot storing 0.5kWh of energy and delivering a peak output of up to 13kW. A DC/DC converter supports the connection to the vehicle’s traditional 12-volt electrical system.

The final first for Audi is a new electromechanical active roll stabilisation system that uses electric motors on the front and rear axle -- along with a three-stage planetary gearbox -- to either decouple or oppose two halves of a stabiliser tube. The end result is tauter handling and a higher lateral speed threshold, along with smooth progress on bumpy surfaces (when the tubes are decoupled).

The big caveat for customers is only two of those firsts – the EPC and 48-volt subsystem -- come standard. The active roll stabilisation technology belongs to an additional $13,500 Dynamic package, which also includes a sport differential that provides variable torque between the wheels of the rear axle, and all-wheel steering.

Elsewhere the SQ7 is said to feature the world’s largest selection of driver assistance systems for this segment. They include autonomous emergency braking, a new traffic jam assist function that steers and brakes the vehicle in slow traffic using radar and camera technology, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and 360-degree camera and rear cross traffic assist.

Inside the SQ7 features an 8.3-inch touch-screen that conveys MMI navigation, Audi Connect with Google services and a Wi-Fi hotspot and Audi smartphone interface for Android and iOS (bringing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capability). Audi’s virtual cockpit display, as seen on the TT and A4, is available as an optional extra.

The cabin also features four-zone climate-control, a seven-seat layout with rear-mounted switches in the 895-litre boot to control the arrangement electrically, rear entertainment screens, wireless phone charging and a 19-speaker Bose sound system.

The new model rides standard on 20-inch wheels and adaptive air suspension, with 400mm front discs gripped by six-piston callipers performing primary stopping duties.

LED headlights with dynamic rear turn signals are standard, while Audi’s optional Matrix LED headlights will cost prospective owners a further $2200.

The SQ7 goes on sale from this week.