Prior to the launch of the second-generation Audi Q7 SUV in India, its newly developed high-performance sibling, the SQ7, has been spotted on our roads.

The SQ7 will derive its power, nearly 430bhp of it, from a new diesel-fuelled, twin-turbocharged, 4.0-litre V8 engine, unlike its rivals – the Mercedes-AMG GL/ML 63 and the BMW X5/6 M cars – which use petrol powerplants.

As seen from the spy images, the production version of the SQ7 will likely distinguish itself from its regular counterpart, the Q7 by means of meatier front and rear bumpers and the quad-exhaust tail-pipes; a reminder of the nearly 160bhp that the SQ7 ups the Q7 by.

On the performance front, it will be safe to expect the SQ7 to hit 100kph from standstill in under 5.5 seconds and a top speed that could easily surpass the 250kph mark, if not electronically limited.

The SQ7 is yet to be unveiled internationally. There is no news whether it will come to India as of now. However, the standard new Audi Q7 will come to Indian showrooms soon.