Audi has revamped the Q7/SQ7/SQ8 line-up with some new technological wizardry (Vorsprung Durch Technik) and specification bumps which Audi summarise as; more dynamic, more technology and better value. Company Vehicle had the opportunity to sample them over some excellent roads in Banks Peninsula, in the first batch of what Audi terms an unprecedented number of launches for 2020.
To put the nomenclature in some semblance of order, the Q7 is Audi’s entry in the large seven-seater luxury SUV market, the SQ7 is the sporty version of the family, whilst the SQ8 shares a lot of the architecture but in an SUV Coupe body style – losing the extra row of seats in the process, but gaining in both looks and dynamic ability.
Interestingly, the SQ8 has a higher female skew in buyers than the Q7/SQ7 (although still heavily male dominated) and appeals to a slightly older (kids left home!) demographic.
All are powered by 4.0-litre V6 diesels with mild hybrid (48V) technology delivered via a belt-driven alternator/starter and Li-ion battery. This improves fuel consumption by 0.7 l/100km, gives up to 8kW regenerative braking, improves the engine stop/start characteristics and provides power for some of the new technology including air suspension, adaptive roll bars and a small electric supercharger (to supplement the two turbochargers).
The electric supercharger gives the initial boost, followed by the small turbo then the large turbo. In the Q7 this gives 210 kW power and 600 Nm of torque from the V6 diesel engine. The SQ7 and SQ8 up this to 320 kW and 900 Nm.
Needless to say; the SQ models in particular, deliver robust performance (0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds). The extra entry fee for the SQ models is well worth it just for the fun factor and bringing a big smile to the driver’s face!
Internally – apart from very comfortable seats’— you get Audi’s twin large touchscreens plus the optional virtual cockpit plus (this duplicates some information in the main dash – for instance a smaller version of the GPS map) plus a heads-up display – as standard on the SQ8.
The models all come with Audi Connect (an embedded sim), which Audi is rolling out across the range. This enhances connectivity, allows your car to talk to the dealership and to use IOT (Internet of Things) capability to talk to road infrastructure such as traffic lights – if NZ roads ever get to feature this!
Audi has also extended the warranty to five years/150,000km (Including business customers), with three-year motoring plan (servicing) and five years of roadside assistance.
Pricing
Q7 $144,900
SQ7 $184,900
SQ8 $194,400
