Company highlights the new 325 kg lighter body

Audi has released the first promotional video with the second generation Q7.
The German brand explains the model “sets new standards” and is equipped with “innovative technologies, driving assistance and infotainment systems”.

Audi also highlights the vehicle is up to 325 kg (716.5 lbs) lighter than its predecessor, emits up to 50 gr/km less CO2 and is approximately 26 percent more efficient.

As a reminder, the new Q7 will be available with a 3.0-liter TDI diesel engine in versions with 272 PS (200 kW) and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) or 218 PS (160 kW) and 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft). Other units include the 3.0 TFSI with 333 PS (245 kW) and 440 Nm (324.5 lb-ft) and the 2.0 TFSI with 252 PS (185 kW) and 370 Nm (272.9 lb-ft). The tange-topping modification is the e-tron quattro plug-in hybrid model which has a combined output of 373 PS (275 kW) and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft).

Audi has released new details about their 3D sound systems in the 2015 Q7.
Designed to set a new benchmark for "in-car listening pleasure," the systems use a complex algorithm that can recreate the environment that a song was sung in.

As Audi explains, "When an artist is singing from a stage, the floor, ceiling and walls of the concert hall reflect the sound with different time lapses. It bounces off the floor in just a few milliseconds, while it is only reflected by a wall 40 meters (131.2 ft) away after more than 200 milliseconds. Using these different sonic reflections, the algorithm is able to calculate a mathematical model of any recording room."

The system recreates this experience by using the calculations to play the sound at slightly different times from each speaker. The Bose and Bang & Olufsen audio systems have four speakers that are mounted relatively high to recreate the spatial height of the original recording.

Runs on Android OS

After detailing the 3D sound systems inside the all-new Q7, Audi is now providing a quick look at the tablets inside their flagship SUV.

It's part of the new rear seat entertainment system featuring two 10.1-inch tablets running on Android and powered by an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor. These come with 32GB of internal storage and are equipped with a full HD camera while Bluetooth and NFC connectivity is supported. The tablets serve as rear seat monitors and are connected to the Q7's MMI navigation plus system through Wi-Fi.

The rear seat passengers has access to the car's navigation system which means they are able to enter a new destination to the MMI navigation. Moreover, they can also browse the web via a Wi-Fi connection and have access to a plethora of apps from Google's Play Store. Audi mentions the 10.1-inch tablet "offers the necessary crash safety lacking in conventional end-device solutions."

After reaching destination, the temperature-resistant tablet inside the 2015 Audi Q7 can be simply removed from the mount and used outside the car just like any other regular tablet.

While there’s nothing really groundbreaking about the infotainment you can have in the new Audi Q7, it is very cool looking, very advanced and it promises improved usability. It’s probably this last aspect that has been the main focus, as the intent is to necessitate as little of the driver’s attention as possible.

It features a widescreen display mounted atop the center stack. It’s not touch operated, though, and you can only interact with it using the rotary ****/touch pad combo. The latter is new and improved (and bigger) providing haptic feedback when a command is entered.

The Q7 can be specced with the same screen that replaces the conventional analog dials. This, as you already know, can display whatever information the driver requires (from a full Google Earth satellite map to the song that’s playing).

It looks easy enough to go through in the KBB video posted after the virtual jump, but will it really be any better than similar setups we already have?