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Audi's behemoth SUV rolls up for a facelift and while you'd be hard-pressed to see the cosmetic changes, it now boasts cleaner engines.
Getting the aesthetic differences out of the way, the Q7's front end has been redesigned. The vertical chrome bars across the radiator grille contrast with a black high-gloss finish and restyled bumpers are finished in black or grey.
Audi's signature LED daytime running lights are visible while a new xenon plus lighting system, which incorporates a special "superhighway beam" but also turning and cornering lights, is optional.
At the rear, the bumper has a two-tone finish and small detail changes have been effected.
An aluminium exterior package is optional, as is the S line sports package and S line exterior package.
As for its interior, new seating configurations are offered and the middle seat is said to have a "more comfortable contour…". The instrument cluster has been redesigned and several controls enhanced with chrome detailing.
TDI with the soul of a sports car
As before, the Q7 uses a six-speed tiptronic gearbox to channel power to the four wheels via the quattro system.
The revised 3.0 TDI turbodiesel produces 176 kW and 550 Nm while consuming 9.1 l/100 km on the EU cycle.
The 3.0 TDI clean diesel, which uses an advanced common-rail injection system, new combustion chamber sensors and an advanced exhaust recirculation system, uses 8.9 l/100 km and already complies with Euro 6 emission standards that will be enforced from 2014.
Fuel consumption is down significantly on the 4.2 TDI too, from 11.1 to 9.9 l/100 km. Outputs for this engine are 250 kW and 760 Nm.
Moving to the petrol powerplants, the 3.6 FSI produces 206 kW and 360 Nm with an average fuel consumption of 12.1 l/100 km. The V8 4.2 FSI develops 257 kW and 440 Nm and consumes 12.7 l/100 km on average.
Audi's Modular Efficiency Platform is a recovery system that converts mechanical energy into electric energy during braking and coasting phases and it in the battery. It reduces CO2 emissions by up to 5 g/km and is available on all the engines.
A big addition to the line-up though, is the V12 TDI with 368 kW and 1 000 Nm on tap from 1 750 to 3 250 r/min. It accelerates from 0 - 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed limited to 250 km/h.
Audi SA has confirmed that South Africa will not receive the 3.0 TDI clean diesel due to technical reasons. The V12 TDI is currently being explored for local introduction.
The facelifted Q7 range will be available locally from the fourth quarter of 2009.
