New Audi Q7 to go all-diesel

Audi Australia will launch its first all-new Q7 in almost a decade from September with a starting price of $103,900 (plus on-road costs) — nearly $12,500 more than the existing entry-grade model.

The single 200kW/600Nm turbo-diesel Q7 3.0 TDI variant is expected to be joined by a second 3.0-litre V6 diesel model producing 160kW/500Nm and likely to be priced around $95,000, while the plug-in diesel-electric Q7 TDI e-tron hybrid is confirmed for release here in late 2016.

Audi says the decision not to offer a petrol model locally is due to slow sales of the previous petrol model, while the second-generation Q7 will also be offered exclusively in seven-seat configuration due to customer demand.

Based on an all-new platform, the new Q7 is slightly smaller yet more spacious than before, and introduces myriad safety and technology items, a revised MMI (infotainment) interface and new amenity items — including electric-folding third-row seats and a powered tailgate.

Depending on the variant, it is up to 325kg lighter and up to 26 per cent more fuel efficient than before, as well as 14 per cent ‘greener’.

For the local market, the significantly revised 3.0 TDI V6 turbo-diesel will consume as little a 5.9L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle, which is up from 5.5L/100km for the five-seat European version but still efficient given its two-tonne kerb mass.

Idle-stop and a coasting function incorporated as part of the new ZF eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission further contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions, which are now as low as 153g/km (ADR Combined).

As clean as it is, the Q7 is still capable of hitting 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and boasts a top whack of 234km/h.

And while the new Q7 is incredibly impressive on-road, the level of kit on offer is generous.

Local models will be available with the Virtual Cockpit TFT instrument panel as found in the Audi TT, head-up display, radar cruise control, Audi’s revised MMI (infotainment system), 3D surround sound and Matrix LED headlights.

Audi says it is yet to confirm pricing for all of the options, but suggests head-up display will likely cost $3400, the LED headlights $2800, all-wheel steering $2770, rear-seat tablets $2850 and 21-inch wheels $4950. The piece de resistance, Audi’s 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Surround Sound system, will top the list at $14,850.

The German car-maker's new seven-seat SUV is also equipped with 31 electronic safety systems, including autonomous braking, eight airbags, parking sensors, self-parking, a 360-degree camera, hill-descent control, air suspension, all-wheel steering, active bonnet and a system dubbed Exit Warning, which notifies occupants if the door they’re about to open will impact with a passing vehicle or cyclist.

It will also come standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights with high-beam assist, electric leather seats with memory, an 8.0-inch MMI screen (12.3-inch optional) and digital radio receiver with Bluetooth, SD, USB, Internet, AM/FM, CD and HDD music options.

Available as an option will be removable, shatter-proof tablet-style rear-seat screens that link into the MMI system and operate outside of the car for up to 30 days (as a security measure the tablets are locked-out after this time, reactivating when clipped back into the car).

An electric tailgate is now standard and allows access to a cargo area tallying 295 litres in seven-seat mode, 890 litres in five-seat mode and 2075 litres in two-seat mode. The electrically-actuated third-row is split 50:50 while the second-row — now offering tumble-fold and sliding functions — splits 40:20:40.

Audi has sold more than 500,000 examples of the Q7 worldwide since its introduction, including just over 11,500 in Australia.