New Audi Q7 spied undisguised ahead of 2015 launch
The 2015 Audi Q7 has been spied again virtually undisguised, ahead of its official unveil at the Detroit Motor Show
The upcoming Audi Q7 has been captured with almost no camouflage ahead of its official unveil at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2015.
The outgoing Q7 has been on sale with minimal updates since 2006, so the replacement is long overdue. Our latest pictures indicate a less intimidating appearance, and a possible size reduction to make it easier to drive and park without impeding on interior space.
This would tally with an expected drop in weight of around 300kg, in a similar vein to the Range Rover, thanks to extensive use of aluminium in the car's platform. This should significantly increase fuel economy and efficiency with the car's new engines.
The new Q7 will share the VW Group's 'MLB 2' platform with the forthcoming Porsche Cayenne and the Bentley SUV, albeit adapted as neither of these cars is expected to offer a seven-seat option.
There's a hexagonal grille with echoes of the new TT Coupe, as well as the new matrix-LED headlamps first seen on the Audi A8 luxury saloon. At the rear are LED lamps and imposing rectangular exhausts, with a cleaner tailgate design.
We previously spotted the Q7 at the Nurburgring, and that test bed appeared to be a plug-in hybrid 'e-tron' prototype of the SUV. Also expected are new versions of the 3.0 and 4.2-litre TDI diesel engines seen in the current car, as well as new turbo petrols and possibly even the new four-cylinder diesel Volkswagen debuted recently.
All models should still retain four-wheel drive and get an eight-speed automatic gearbox, although eventually the VW Group's new 10-speed DSG could appear. Prices should start at about £45,000. Expect further details nearer to the Detroit show in January.
