The Audi Q7 now falls into line with the corporate design of the ‘Q’ family, having received an update including the latest levels of connectivity.

It has the large octagon-shaped Singleframe, with six upright slats providing the structure and the two-part side air inlets have a much more expressive line. On the restyled rear, a striking chrome strip creates the visual connection between the flat rear lights with their technical-looking graphics and carries forward the horizontal body line.

Audi has enhanced the dynamic facets of the Q7. The optimised all‑wheel steering allows the rear wheels to turn as much as five degrees in the opposite direction. As such, the Audi Q7 is maneuverable, precise and agile in urban traffic and on hairpin bends.

It also provides variable ground clearance and prepares the Audi Q7 with its standard quattro drive for terrain off the beaten track. The relevant off-road mode can be selected via the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system with its seven profiles.

There is one diesel engine in the local model range line up. It is coupled to an eight-speed tiptronic and permanent all‑wheel drive. The Audi Q7 45 TDI quattro tiptronic produces 183 kW of power and 600 Nm of torque. It accelerates the large SUV from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6,9 seconds and on to a top speed of 225 km/h.

Through its new design, the large SUV has now grown 11 millimetres to 5 063 millimetres long. It measures 1 970 millimetres wide and 1 741 millimetres (including roof aerial) high.

Depending on the position of the rear seat backs the luggage compartment on the five-seater version offers between 865 and 2 050 litres of capacity – the latter with a flat load area. An electric tailgate is standard including foot-activated gesture control.  

Audi optionally supplies the rear seat bench plus as part of the Comfort Package; all three seats can be moved individually fore/aft and the backrest angle adjusted, upgradable to a third seat row with two electrically lowerable seats which turns the Q7 into a comfortable 7-seater.

The standard MMI navigation plus features an embedded SIM, a Wi-Fi hotspot, natural voice control and the extensive Audi connect portfolio. The latter ranges from online traffic information, point of interest search, navigation with Google Earth and live weather updates.

The Audi connect functionality also includes Car2X services which consists of standard safety and service features in the event of damage, breakdown or minor accidents.

The new Audi Q7 offers the package concept as introduced on other new models launched in South Africa and these include:

• Comfort
• Black styling
• S line interior

Pricing:

• Audi Q7 45 TDI quattro tiptronic                      R 1,328,500
• Audi Q7 45 TDI quattro S line tiptronic             R 1,388,500

Both models come standard with the 5 year / 100 000 km Audi Freeway plan, inclusive of all taxes.