2015 Audi Q7 unveiled

After eight years, the Q7 now goes into its second generation with the new 2015 model that Audi unveiled today. The biggest news for the Q7 is the new lightweight construction which has helped the Q7 drop over 325kg over its predecessor. The new Q7, currently unveiled in the 3.0l TFSI and the 3.0l TDI variants, tips the scales at 1970 and 1995kg respectively. Dubbing it as 'multimaterial' construction, the new Q7 makes extensive use of aluminium and steel.

The 2015 Q7 is as high as its outgoing counterpart, but 15mm narrower and 37mm shorter in length

The 2015 Q7 is as high as its outgoing counterpart, but 15mm narrower and 37mm shorter in length. Despite the shorter body, the cabin as expected will be roomier. Audi claims that headroom is up by 41mm and room for the second and third rows has gone up too. The interior design carries forward the typical Audi cues to straight lines and chunky switchgear, but the new design theme is all-new. The air-con vents have a seamless design like the one is the new VW Passat. The car also features an all-new MMI infotainment system that now supports Google Play and Apple CarPlay interfaces as well. The retractable screen is a pop-up type and gets an all-touch interface through a touchpad on the centre console. A B&O audio unit with 3D audio is also onboard.

The car features an all-new MMI infotainment system that now supports Google Play and Apple CarPlay interfaces as well

The exterior design is all-new too and has cues of the new range of Audi cars and concepts that were unveiled in 2014. The headlights, reminiscent in design to the new A7's unit, gets the new matrix LED headlamps. The new single-frame grille flows into the headlights to create a seamless design. The new design looks much leaner overall and has an athletic stance compared to the outgoing car.

The exterior design is all-new too and has cues of the new range of Audi cars and concepts that were unveiled in 2014

The Q7 will be shown initially in two 3.0l TDI diesels and the 3.0l TFSI and 2.0l TFSI petrol variants. The 3.0-litre TDI puts out 272PS and 600Nm of torque and manages to sprint from 0-100kmph in 6.3s with a top speed of 234kmph. The lower diesel variant churns out 218PS and 500Nm. The petrol V6 on the other hand produces 333PS and 440Nm that helps the car go from 0-100kmph in 6.1s, while top speed is restricted to 250kmph. The smaller petrol, the 2.0l TFSI, is good for 252PS and 370Nm. The engines can be opted for with the new 8-speed transmission that comes with a coasting function. A new 'vaporisation' system allows the engines to coast at 1,000rpm to save fuel. Audi will introduce the Q7 with e-tron plug-in hybrid variants at a later stage and we can't rule out a range topping 4.2-litre variant either.

The second row of seats look roomier than before

The new design looks much leaner overall and has an athletic stance compared to the outgoing car

The 2015 Q7 will make its first public appearance at the North American Motor Show, which gets underway from January 12, 2015. Expect the car to be launched globally soon afterwards and we hope to see the car hit Indian shores by mid-2015. Stay tuned for more.