Audi’s second-generation Q7 has been revealed ahead of its official world debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, and will be sailing into showrooms next year as a 2016 model. These official photos reveal a handsome albeit somewhat familiar look for the new Q7, but while the exterior may not have changed much engineers have totally revamped things underneath the sheet metal.

Underpinning the vehicle is the first iteration of the Volkswagen Group’s new MLB Evo platform, specifically the SUV version of the platform. The platform is an evolution of Audi's existing MLB structure but is lighter thanks to multi-material construction. Ultra-high-strength parts made of hot-shaped steel form the backbone of the occupant cell. Aluminum castings, extruded sections and panels are used in the front and rear ends as well as the superstructure. Other parts made entirely of aluminum are the doors, the front fenders, the hood and the rear hatch.

How much lighter is it? A substantial 716.5 pounds lighter in 3.0-liter TDI trim, for instance. The 2016 Q7 TDI measures in at 4,398 lbs, making it one of the lightest options among seven-seat SUVs in the premium segment. At the same time, it is one of the most spacious in its segment despite its exterior dimensions shrinking.

The big SUV is 1.5 inches shorter and 0.6 of an inch narrower while virtually the same height. Inside, however, there is an additional 0.8 inches between the first and second rows of seats, and head room has increased by 1.6 inches and 0.9 inches in the first and second rows, respectively.

Further efficiency improvements come from the powertrain department. Audi has confirmed that the entry-level option in the U.S. will be a 2.0-liter TFSI rated at 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It will be joined by two V-6s, a 3.0-liter TDI rated at 272 hp and 443 lb-ft, plus a 3.0-liter TFSI rated at 333 hp and 325 lb-ft. All 2016 Q7s will come with an eight-speed S tronic automatic transmission.

Further down the track Audi will add a second 3.0-liter TDI option with just 218 hp and 369 lb-ft, though this model is unlikely to reach U.S. shores. Instead, we’re expected to get access to a Q7 e-tron quattro model soon after next year’s launch. This will be a plug-in hybrid combining a 3.0-liter TDI with an electric motor for a combined output of 373 hp and 516 lb-ft.

According to Audi, the Q7 e-tron quattro will return a combined fuel economy of 138.4 mpge. It will also be the quickest of the bunch, needing just 6.0 seconds to accelerate from 0-62 mph. Top speed will be a tick under 140 mph.

A quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system remains standard across the 2016 Q7 range, but one major new feature is all-wheel steering. At low speeds the rear wheels steer opposite the front wheels, making the vehicle more manoeuvrable for parking, and at higher speeds the rear wheels follow the movement of the front wheels to aid stability. This works in conjunction with an electrically-aided steering system.



Inside the cabin, Audi has stuck with its ‘virtual cockpit’ theme first scene in the 2016 TT sports car. Essentially, many of the vehicle functions are now controlled through the vehicle’s new MMI all-in-touch interface with haptic feedback. The driver can enter characters on the large touchpad or perform multi-finger gestures to zoom in on the map or scroll through lists, for example. The main functions can be accessed using the high-quality rotary pushbutton, two rocker switches or voice recognition.

The voice recognition system is said to be much simpler. Drivers no longer have to stick to predefined commands. The system understands phrasings from everyday language, meaning that hundreds of command variations are possible for each function. In the telephone menu, calling a contact is as easy as saying “I want to talk to Peter” or “Connect me to Peter.” But the navigation system also reacts to simple commands such as “Where can I get gas?” or “I want to eat something.”

Smartphone integration with Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is also possible. For the trim, buyers will have a number of soft materials, aluminum and wood options to choose from. One final highlight is the comprehensive portfolio of new driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assistant that allows the vehicle to crawl in traffic autonomously. On top of this, Audi tells us that more advanced systems will be coming soon.

How much lighter is it? A substantial 716.5 pounds lighter in 3.0-liter TDI trim, for instance. The 2016 Q7 TDI measures in at 4,398 lbs, making it one of the lightest options among seven-seat SUVs in the premium segment. At the same time, it is one of the most spacious in its segment despite its exterior dimensions shrinking.

The big SUV is 1.5 inches shorter and 0.6 of an inch narrower while virtually the same height. Inside, however, there is an additional 0.8 inches between the first and second rows of seats, and head room has increased by 1.6 inches and 0.9 inches in the first and second rows, respectively.

Further efficiency improvements come from the powertrain department. Audi has confirmed that the entry-level option in the U.S. will be a 2.0-liter TFSI rated at 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It will be joined by two V-6s, a 3.0-liter TDI rated at 272 hp and 443 lb-ft, plus a 3.0-liter TFSI rated at 333 hp and 325 lb-ft. All 2016 Q7s will come with an eight-speed S tronic automatic transmission.

Further down the track Audi will add a second 3.0-liter TDI option with just 218 hp and 369 lb-ft, though this model is unlikely to reach U.S. shores. Instead, we’re expected to get access to a Q7 e-tron quattro model soon after next year’s launch. This will be a plug-in hybrid combining a 3.0-liter TDI with an electric motor for a combined output of 373 hp and 516 lb-ft.

According to Audi, the Q7 e-tron quattro will return a combined fuel economy of 138.4 mpge. It will also be the quickest of the bunch, needing just 6.0 seconds to accelerate from 0-62 mph. Top speed will be a tick under 140 mph.

Audi has officially blown the covers off the second-gen Q7 luxury SUV that sheds a few hundred pounds and features a more chiseled, but overall familiar design.

Built on a modified version of Audi’s MLB platform, the new Q7 has undergone a drastic diet losing 325kg or 716.5 pounds over the previous model, with the 3.0 TDI tipping the scales at 1,995kg or 4,398.2 lbs.

Some 71kg or 156.5 lbs were cut from the body, with the aluminum doors alone accounting for 24kg or 52.9 lbs. The front fenders, hood and tailgate are also made from aluminum, while Audi says that over 100kg or 220.5 lbs were taken out of the chassis.

Even though the new Q7 is slightly shorter (-37mm or 1.5 in.) and narrower (-15mm or 0.6 in.) than its predecessor at 5,050mm long, 1,970mm wide and 1,740mm tall, riding on a 2,990mm wheelbase, Audi claims that the cabin is longer and offers more head room for passengers of both rows.

In particular, there is an additional 21mm (0.8 in) between the first and second rows of seats, while head room has increased by 41mm (1.6 in) and 23mm (0.9 in) for first and second row passengers respectively.

Things are less exciting when it comes to the Q7's exterior styling as the luxury SUV was penned under Ingolstadt's existing design language. It's far less bulbous than the previous model with more defined lines and a three-dimension single frame grille, but frankly, it looks a lot like a re-sized Q3.

The interior is a different story with Audi giving their top SUV a nicely designed and modern dashboard that can be optionally equipped with Audi's new 12.3-inch TFT instrument binnacle, similar to the one featured in the latest TT. Audi has also made efforts to de-clutter the dash and improve ergonomics.

As with the outgoing model, the new Q7 has three rows of seats. The second and third second row can be folded down and tipped up. With all seven seats occupied, the SUV has a boot capacity of 295 liters (10.4 cu ft), while in five-seater configuration, that figure climbs to 890 liters (31.4 cu ft) and in two-seat, a massive 2,075 liters (73.3 cu ft).

Naturally, Audi offers all sorts of standard and optional amenities including, but not limited to, a kick motion tailgate opener, the latest generation of the Audi MMI infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8.3-inch retractable display and a full touch surface, Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System and even Audi-branded tablets for the rear passengers.

In Europe, the new Q7 will launch with two V6 engines, the 272PS (268hp) and 600Nm (442.5 lb-ft) 3.0-liter diesel that reaches 100km/h (62mph) in 6.3 seconds, and the 333PS (328hp) and 440Nm (324.5 lb-ft) 3.0-liter supercharged petrol that completes the same sprint in 6.1 seconds. Both engines are hooked up to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Surprisingly, Audi will offer a 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder gasoline engine with 248hp (252PS) and 370Nm (272.9 lb-ft) of torque in select Asian markets and –wait for it- the USA.

There will also be a more frugal, but less powerful 3.0 TDI Ultra diesel engine with 215hp (218PS) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque.

A plug-in hybrid version with quattro all-wheel drive will also join the range late 2015. Named the Q7 e-tron, it will pair a 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6 with an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed tiptronic transmission producing a combined 373PS (368hp) and 700Nm (516.3 lb-ft).

The lithium-ion batteries store 17.3 kWh of energy, enabling a range of up to 56 kilometers (34.8 mi) in pure electric mode.

According to Audi, the Q7 e‑tron accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 6.0 seconds, and from 0 to 60 km/h (37.3 mph) in 6.1 seconds on electric power alone. Top speed is 225 km/h (140mph).

When using both power sources, the Q7 e-tron returns a combined figure of 1.7l/100km (138.4 US mpg) – for a CO2 equivalent of less than 50 grams per kilometer (80.5 g/mi).

The Q7 will celebrate its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show in January, where we will learn more about the North American model's specifications.