If we had to pick one thing that stands out on the new Audi Q7, that would be the fact that it’s more than 700 pounds (325kg) lighter than the model it replaces. You can (mostly) thank the multimaterial body and an all-new chassis for that.
It’s a little bit shorter and narrower than before, but it continues to accommodate seven passengers in three rows, with Audi claiming that space has actually improved.
Since we’re on the subject of the interior, Audi has given the second generation Q7 a sleek looking dashboard with a neat 12.3-inch TFT multi-display replacing the conventional instrument cluster. There’s also a newly developed MMI all-in-touch control unit with a full touch surface that has its own standalone display on top of the dash.
You also get a multitude of driver assistance systems and numerous gadgets, both optional and standard, such as the 10.1-inch tablets with a potent NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor for the rear passengers.
The Q7’s exterior is less fanciful employing the usual jacked-up estate form we’ve come to expect from Audi’s SUVs with the most exciting thing about the design being the LED lights on both ends of the car.
Currently, Audi has confirmed two powertrains for North America, a 248hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline and a 215hp 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel, but later on, it will add a 333hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 gasoline unit and a plug-in electric-diesel hybrid with a combined output of 369hp named e-Quattro.
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