This is the first Q7, which gets the 'S' badging; and yes, we are glad that SUVs are going bananas and India is getting a whole bunch of them. We already have the likes of the Cayenne GTS and the Macan Turbo and, very recently, the fastest and most luxurious of them all - the Bentley Bentayga; but all these cars come with their own set of qualities and mix and match both the worlds of luxury and insanity. But cars like the Range Rover SVR and the Audi SQ7 carry that wicked, yet irresistible, smile, which cannot be ignored.
Audi SQ7 Badging
The new generation of the Q7 has been doing extremely well in India and Audi already has its book full with orders; so yes, there will be a demand for a car like the SQ7 and we will see it in India, in the next few months. And, what it brings to the table is a lot more than lunacy. Based on the regular Q7 (duh!), the 'S' badge, which it now bears, gives it more than just a lunatic charm, which makes it an SUV that is not just powerful, but exceptionally entertaining.
In fact, we've seen 12V electrical systems in cars and the SQ7 too gets it, but it gets a further boost, thanks to a 48V subsystem that drives two things of importance in the car and we will see this technology becoming even more important in the near future. The first among this is the active anti-roll bars, which we've already seen on the Bentley Bentayga (it's based on the same architecture as the Q7), the other being the electrically powered compressor or EPC, as Audi likes to call it.
Audi SQ7 Shares its Design Architecture with Bentley Bentayga
This subsystem does the same duty as the two turbochargers on the SQ7's engine. Yes, exhaust gases do not spool this 48Vsubsytem, but it's driven by electricity and this really ups the ante, when compared to any car turbocharger. According to Audi, this electric turbo will not only 'reduce' the lag, but eliminate it altogether. So, it's no longer a bi-turbo, is it? Tri-turbo then? Well both the roll bars and the EPC require the 48V, because they need to act quickly; and to make it more powerful, the increased current (read volts) proves to be an effective method. There's a 48V lithium ion battery, in the boot, which is sourced from LG and the position of this battery changes, as it depends on how many seats you want in the car - five or seven. The motor acts as filler and pieces together the gaps in the torque curve, which might be created by the other turbos.
Audi SQ7 Offers 900Nm of torque from as low as 1000rpm
To sum it up and give you a clear picture - thanks to this electric interference, you get 900Nm of torque at your disposal, from as low as 1000rpm; yes you read that right. Compare this to the W12 Bentayga and you'll see a vast difference, as it too has similar amounts of torque on offer; yet that is available from 1350rpm. So, now you get the point. But, when you're driving out, on the highway, you really need to keep your eye on the speedometer, because you snap your finger and it hits the three-digit mark; and since we were driving around a place with speed restrictions, it became a cause for concern; but one also understood how calm and collected the car really feels.
Audi SQ7 Comes With a Monstrous V8 Engine
However, it's not the most powerful Q7 ever. There was a V12 before this one, but the SQ7 is right up there. The 4.0-litre V8 diesel engine is capable of punching out 429bhp, at 3750rpm, and it's quick. 0-100km/h takes just 4.8 seconds and the top speed is limited to 250km/h; even then the engine doesn't groan; in fact, it rumbles. It is by far the best-sounding diesel engine in production. There might have been engineers at Audi saying - 'Ok good sound from a train, a motorboat perhaps and just a dash of muscle car' and voila the concoction is ready. But, nowhere is it uncouth or ill-tempered.
Audi SQ7 Handles Exceptionally Well at Turnings
The SQ7 is a refined car; and even when you are behind the wheel, you feel that it's compact, which is why you turn into every corner with a lot of vigour and it doesn't disappoint. Even in comfort mode, the SQ7 is extremely agile. As we turned a corner and the active roll bars started doing their thing; in fact, you can feel it taking it easy, in a straight line; but firming up, when you take a corner. What you have to deal with is a 2.4 tonne car here and you might feel that it will stray at some point, but the SQ7 is calm, composed and prompt.
The 8-speed automatic gearbox adds its two bit to the entire scenario too. It has to keep up with quick power delivery and it does, which makes it a treat to drive in. Use the paddle shifters, upshift or downshift, the response is one of an 'enthu-cutlet', always eager to help; and this puts a smile across your face.
Audi SQ7 Gets Smart Controls and Compact Lever to Access the 8-Speed Autobox
It's more of a crossover-like driving position and that's why you don't feel as though you're driving a big SUV; and the design helps too. Those high window lines are more like a cross over than an SUV. There are different driving modes to choose from; and you can change them around to suit your driving style. You can change the ride height, stiffen the suspension, change the steering setting to comfort or even ask for a louder exhaust note. For a generation that loves having options, there are a number of them.
Audi SQ7's Luxurious Cabin
On the inside, the SQ7 is no different than the regular SUV and the fit and finish is top notch and the European spec version that we drove had all the bells and whistles. It came with Audi's virtual cockpit, which keeps throwing information, on the screen; and this is extremely helpful. There's a good amount of space too, on the inside and the luggage space, on the SQ7, with a 5-seat configuration, stands at 805 litres, which can go up to 1990 litres, if the seats are folded down. The seven-seat configuration, however, with all the seats upright, gets just 235 litres of space and that's frankly even less than the Renault Lodgy! Sadly it doesn't get a sunroof though.
Audi SQ7 Gets Sportier Air Suspension
As part of standard equipment, the SQ7 gets sportier air suspension than the regular Q7; but the active anti-roll bars, the four-wheel steer, the limited-slip rear differential, the ceramic brake discs and the 22-inch alloy wheels are all part of optional equipment. So, though we drove the fully loaded cars, you will get a chance to pick and choose equipment.
Audi SQ7 22-Inch Alloy Wheels
We're glad that Audi didn't vacillate about making it naughty or nice. It just said, yes, 'naughty it is' and we're glad that it's bringing this one to India. It will take the CBU route, no doubt, which is why it will cross the Rs. 1 crore mark; but, for that money, you will get a car that doesn't doubt itself and in fact knows what it's meant to do.
