The Detroit motor show 2015 witnessed one of the most awaited global debuts - the new Audi Q7. The new Q7 has come has shed 325 kg in the variant that boasts a 328bhp 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine. It now weighs 1,970kg.

Majority of the load shedding (100kg) has been made possible due to a lightweight suspension setup. Further lightweighting has cut 71kg from the body, of which 24kg is because Audi has used aluminium doors on the new Q7. New electric architecture, and the new Volkswagen MLB platform which underpins the car has attributed to further weight reduction. The cassis is a combination hot-formed steel and aluminium. The hot-formed steel has extremely high tensile capacity without sacrificing on strength. At 5,050mm in length, 1,970mm in width and 1,740mm in height, the new Q7 is 370mm shorter and 15mm narrower than the outgoing car. The wheelbase has also been reduced, but only by 10mm; it now stands at 2,990mm.

Upon launch, the new Q7 will get a 268bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine and a 328bhp 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol counterpart for the international market. They will later be joined by an efficient but less powerful 215bhp 3.0-litre (Ultra) V6 diesel motor. Audi will also launch a 249bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit for some specific international and developing markets.

Audi seems to have made an effort to give its flagship mammoth sharper styling than its predecessor. It displays finer creases, an upright single frame grille, xenon, LED or Matrix LED headlights, a steep D-pillar and a rear that has very crisp lines and detailing. On the inside, the new Audi Q7 gets improved packaging, which helps increase space despite the reduced overall dimensions. The dashboard has a clean, minimalistic design, there aren’t too many switches, the infotainment screen is free-standing, the digital instrument binnacle is borrowed from the new TT, and the new centre console houses a new gear selector and MMI controller. The new Q7 can be further enhanced with an array of optional fitments inside and out.

The new Audi Q7 is likely to make its debut in international markets around mid-2015. Considering that we have already seen this new SUV being tested on Indian roads, the Indian launch, despite not at the same time, might be close to the international one.

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