To compete against rivals like the new BMW X5M, Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG and the Range Rover Sport, Audi will launch a performance version of the Q7 - dubbed the SQ7 - that will see the light of day in 2016. The SQ7 will be based on the next generation Q7, due for a reveal early next year.
Confirming this to Autocar was Audi's Board Member for Technical Development, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, who said that the second generation of the Q7 would be available in the market from next year, followed by the electric turbo equipped Audi SQ7 in 2016.
Rumor has it that the SQ7 will share the same powertrain as the RS5 TDI Concept, that had a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine with a "supplemental electric turbocharger" drawing its power from a compact lithium-ion battery. This allowed the engine to produce 385 bhp and 750 Nm of torque. Audi claimed the concept could sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 4-seconds, while trying to maintain a good fuel efficiency of 25 km/l. Though its a diesel, the SQ7 would have its performance stats in the ballpark of the GL 63 AMG and the X5M.
Competitors: BMW X5M, Mercedes GL 63 AMG
Expected Price: INR 1.3 crores, ex-Showroom
[Source - Autocar UK]
