Audi Q7

The first-ever local build hailing from Europe, the new Audi Q7 (second-generation), upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

A Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV), the D-segment seven-seater SUV (three row Sports Utility Vehicle) underpins Volkswagen’s MLB Evo Platform.

Locally assembled (CKD – Pahang), available via PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM) is one variant (Q7 S Line 3.0 TFSI quattro – MYR 462,422). 

Price (OTR, w/o insurance) covers a standard warranty (two years, unlimited mileage) and a roadside assistance package (free five years). 

Optional (MYR 20,000) is the Audi Assurance Package (extended warranty: five years/150,000 KM, maintenance service: five years/75,000 KM).

Five exterior colours (single-tone – Waitomo Blue, Daytona Grey, Glacier White, Mythos Black). One interior colour (single-tone: Black).

Labelled the ‘Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus’, the new Q7 features an angularly tiered dashboard, linked to a wide-high-rising centre console (drive mode selector, wireless charger).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, steering wheel, centre console, doors), it sees a single-tone (Black) colour scheme with contrast trims (Gloss Black, Anodised Aluminium).

Filling up the spaces are the driver/dual-central displays (instrument cluster, infotainment/AC control), full width air conditioning vents and ambient lights (Ambient Light Package Plus).

Inclusively, the layout is sporty and non-cluttered, with accessibilities ergonomically arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

Part of the ‘Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus’ setup, installed is a 12.3-Inch HD TFT ‘Audi Virtual Cockpit’ driver display (instrument cluster) with a Head-Up Display (HUD).

The system runs on Volkswagen’s ‘Modular Infotainment Toolkit’ Operating System (MIB 3 OS), supporting customisable menus and information.

Sportily comfortable (‘S Line’ package), the interior sees leather (Valcona) upholstery in a single-tone (Black) colour scheme with embossed ‘S’ embroidery (seats: front) and quilted stitching (seats: front, rear).

The first (driver, passenger) row gets electric-powered (multi-way-adjust, lumbar, longitudinal sliding thigh support, massage, driver-memory, active climate) sport seats.

The second (three-seater) and third (two-seater) rows get manual-operated (second: sliding, recline, 40:20:40 split-fold – third: sliding, recline, 50:50 split-fold) bolstered bench.

Included are armrests (first row – centre console, second row – centre seat fold-out, third row – side panels), headrests (first, second, third rows), rear sunshades (pull-out – open/close) and door sills (front, rear – Stainless Steel: illuminated ‘S Line’ logo).

A proper full-fledged SUV (seven-seater – 2-3-2), the cabin offers generous space, providing the occupants (front, rear) with ample interior mobility.

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

The cabin’s spaciousness is majorly due to its overall framing, which boasts a wide body and a long wheelbase (MLB Evo Platform).

Mounted is a three-spoke-flat-bottom sports steering wheel, wrapped in leather (Black) with contrast trims (Anodised Aluminium). 

Features are multi-switches (Bluetooth, Media, Vehicle Telematics, Voice Recognition), paddle shifters, heating and column adjustments (tiptronic, tilt, telescopic).

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Practical storage areas. E.g., side door/seat back/armrest pockets, centre console partitioned/caverned spaces and a glove box.

Provided are four cup holders (two – front, rear) and six bottle holders (one – side doors).

Multiple charging outlets. E.g., six USB ports (two – first row, two – second row, two – third row), 12 V sockets (one – front, one – boot) and one wireless charger (front). 

Accessing its electric-powered (hands free – kick sensor, key fob/remote, button) tailgate, opens to 780-Litres (second, third rows up) and 1,908-Litres (second, third rows down) of load capacities.

The new Q7 measures at 5,052 MM long, 1,968 MM wide, 1,740 MM tall and with a wheelbase spanning 2,994 MM.

Commandingly solid and sporty, its wide-planted and long-bulbous exterior parades Audi’s ‘S Line’ styling, emphasised by sharply cut and roundly angular surfaces.

The front-end sees a formed bonnet, flared quarter panels and a sculpted bumper (‘S Line’ package – octagonal Singleframe grille: open hexagonal inserts, Audi emblem, lower-centre/corner vents: hexagonal inserts).

Accentuations, body clad (‘S Line’ package – body-colour: bumper, fenders, side mirrors, side sills), body trims (‘Black Styling Plus’ package – Gloss Black: grille, vents, lower side doors, side mirror arms, window surrounds), roof rails (Anthracite Grey) and Audi emblem (Anthracite Grey).

Robustly solid and sporty, it continues the wide-planted and bulbous profile, emphasised by symmetrically smooth and horizontally aligned contours.

The rear-end sees a straight cut roofline (shark fin antenna, roof-edge spoiler), a bulging tailgate (centre tailgate bar, Audi/Q7 emblems) and a covered bumper (‘S Line’ package – diffuser, dual trapezoidal exhausts). 

Accentuations, body clad (‘S Line’ package – body-colour: roof-edge spoiler, bumper, fenders, side sills), body trims (‘Black Styling Plus’ package – Gloss Black: centre tailgate bar, diffuser, lower side doors, window surrounds), roof rails (Anthracite Grey) and Audi/Q7 emblems (Anthracite Grey).

Sharp and angular, the headlamps are framed boxy and inward-tilted. Installed are full LED units (HD Matrix – Audi Laser Light). 

Features are automatic On/Off, Laser high-beam (advanced high-beam control), Dynamic Headlamp Range Control, Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), welcome/cornering/all-weather lights, sequential turn signals (LED) and customisable light signatures. 

Thick and angular, the tail lamps are framed large with wraparound edges. Installed are full digital OLED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, welcome lights, sequential turn signals (LED) and customisable light signatures.

The side mirrors (dual-tone – Body-colour-Black) are electric-powered (auto-fold-adjust) with heating, automatic-dimming, blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor – BSM) and sequential turn signals (LED).

Incorporated is a setup of ventilated (front, rear) disc brakes. Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Fitted is a set of 22-Inch ‘Audi Sport’ (five-V-spoke-star) dual-tone (Anthracite Black-Gloss-Turned) alloy rims, wrapped in 285/35 R22 (front, rear) Bridgestone Turanza T005 tyres.

The new Q7 features the following suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop/Go/efficiency/swerve/turn assist, Park Assist with Parking System Plus (PA-PSP), Side Assist with Exit Warning (SA-EW), Evasive Steering Assist (ESA), Rear Cross Traffic Assist (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Surround View Camera (360-degree) and Audi Pre Sense (front, rear).

Other systems include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-Start Assist (HSA) and Tyre pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety includes eight airbags (driver-passenger, driver-knee, front sides, front-rear curtains), seat belts (anchors, pretensioners, reminders), ISOFIX (two – outer-second row seats), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six – front, rear), side mirrors (BSD, heating), automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), Door Opening Warning (DOW), acoustic protection (pedestrians), automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-/low-beam), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), impact beams (front, side, rear) and anti-theft system (backup horn, towing protection, security alarm, engine-immobiliser).

Enabled is the Audi Drive Select drive programs (COMFORT, AUTO, DYNAMIC, INDIVIDUAL).

Part of the ‘Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus’ setup, installed is a 10.1-Inch central driver display (infotainment – upper), and an 8.6-Inch control panel display (bottom – AC control, vehicle telematics).

The system runs on Volkswagen’s ‘Modular Infotainment Toolkit’ Operating System (MIB 3 OS), supporting Audi Connect Navigation, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Audi Connect Remote Control and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless).

Entertainment is channelled via a Bang and Olufsen 3D premium sound system (Fraunhofer’s Symphoria technology - 730 W: 19 speakers, 16-channel amplifier).

Nestled in the new Q7 is a mild hybrid powertrain (MHEV).

Embedded is a 3.0-Litre TFSI quattro V6 petrol engine (Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection) and a 48-Volt mild hybrid system. 

Total output reads at 335 HP (250 KW) and 500 NM.

Mated to the setup is an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission (paddle shifters).

Power is transmitted to all four wheels, via Audi’s quattro All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, incorporating self-locking centre differential and all-wheel steering.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 5.6 seconds. Top speed is 250 KM/H.

Fuel tank capacity is at 85-Litres and fuel consumption is rated at 9.1 L/100 KM.

The new Q7 features these conveniences.

E.g., Comfort Access system (keyless-easy-entry unlock, engine Start/Stop button, soft-close doors), electric-powered (hands free – kick sensor, key fob/remote, button) tailgate, four-zone automatic-climate control (touch screen control panel, rear-air vents, dedicated controls), steering wheel (column adjustments, multi-function, paddle shifters, heating, EPS), interior lighting system (LED – reading, boot, ambient), electric-powered (multi-way-adjust, lumbar, longitudinal sliding thigh support, massage, driver-memory, active climate) sport seats (first row), armrests (first row – centre console, second row – centre seat fold-out, third row – side panels), headrests (first, second, third rows), rear sunshades (pull-out – open/close), ‘Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus’ setup (infotainment, instrument cluster, control panel), wireless charger, parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six – front, rear), side mirrors (BSD, heating), automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), Door Opening Warning (DOW), automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-/low-beam), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic windows (anti-pinch, one-touch-open/close), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Installed is a four-zone automatic-climate control system (touch screen control panel, rear-air vents, dedicated controls).

Propping-up the chassis is a suspension setup of double wishbones (front) and multi-link (rear) with Adaptive Air Suspension Sport (self-levelling - height adjustable). 

Overall, very spacious with firm handling, suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, ride quality is satisfactory.

Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) factored in. The cabin is acoustically well-designed, enhancing the in-car ambience.

Ultimately, the cabin can suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable even when cruising through bumpy asphalts.

The new Audi Q7 is a solid build all around. Enveloped by a sportily luxurious appeal that commands a presence like no other. 

Exterior-wise, it is well designed with the harmonious proportions, powerful contours and emphasis on the robust body sculpture. 

Quality of the equipment and materials installed inside impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

Ultimately, the new Q7 is just a strong character, a great SUV that offers an elegant outlook, an engaging drive and comfort, all in one.