Quite some time ago, Audi came out with a mental V12 TDI variant for its Q7 which held the title of most powerful diesel engine for quite some time. Audi has decided to revisit this concept with the new Q7 but with a bit of a softer touch. The new SQ7 will use a smaller V8 with less power and torque but thanks to advancement in technology these smaller numbers hope to provide even more impressive statistics.
The SQ7 fits Audi’s subtle S line design portfolio by making use of a lower stance while retaining most of the standard body panels. A stock set of 20-inch wheels (optional 22-inch sets are available) and a new exhaust system are the only notable differences to be seen on this high output variant and it’s pretty much the same story with the interior.
The most important addition to the SQ7 is, of course, the new engine which manages to churn out 320 kW and 900 N.m of torque from its 4,0-litre twin-turbodiesel V8 configuration. This combined with the eight-speed tiptronic transmission that provides drive to all four wheels and an electric powered compressor intended to eliminate lag (through forcing induction in the air path downstream of the intercooler) will see the SQ7 accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4,8 seconds all the way to its limited top speed of (you guessed it) 250 km/h. Being a diesel, Audi also claims that on its NEDC fuel test it was able to achieve a figure of 7,4 l/100km.
To make the SQ7 a little more dynamic it has been provided with a standard fit air suspension with active roll stabilisation and all-wheel steering. A lightweight construction for the giant SUV also works in its favour.
The SQ7 will be arriving here in the fourth quarter of this year but one has to question whether it’ll have more appeal than the RS6 which will most likely be in the same price range.
This video, however shows us that it’s even faster than an Alpha Jet:
