Audi India seems to be following Skylar Grey lately who once sang ‘Bring me back to life.’ After reviving the Q5 late last year, the 2022 Audi Q7 has finally been launched, and with prices starting from Rs 79.9 lakh (ex-showroom), it has the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and the Volvo XC90 in its sights. Like most VW Group products, the new Q7 has lost out on the TDI engine, with Audi now plonking in a V6 TFSI unit. There are many more changes to the 2022 Audi Q7 so let’s get right into it.
2022 Audi Q7 Design
Now we all know that design is a subjective matter, but the 2022 Audi Q7 looks a little different than its predecessor, which was known for its humongous dimensions and that butch, aggressive profile. This 2022 Audi Q7 goes for a cleaner, understated design theme which adds a touch of sophistication to the way it looks. There is that obvious family resemblance and it looks like a grown-up Q5, but having seen it in the flesh, the new Q7 does look great. The bumpers have been redesigned which have resulted in the length going up slightly. It also gets Matrix LED headlamps with dynamic turn indicators, and tail lamps with a new dynamic LED design theme (on the top-end Technology variant). A chrome strip runs across the length of the tailgate. The new Q7 is shod on 55-profile run-flat tyres, sporting 19-inch star alloy wheels (on the top-end Technology variant).
2022 Audi Q7 Powertrain
Gone is the TDI powertrain, but Audi has now plonked in a 3-litre V6 turbo-petrol mild-hybrid powertrain which puts out 335bhp at 5000-6400rpm and 500Nm of torque at 1370-4500rpm. This powertrain is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with quattro all-wheel drive, and despite its size, Audi claims the 2022 Q7 can reach triple digits in 5.9 seconds, maxing out at a top speed of 250kmph!
2022 Audi Q7 Features and Equipment
While the 2022 Audi Q7 gets major changes under the hood and on the exteriors, it’s the interiors which see the biggest overhaul. The dashboard is all new, and it houses the two new touchscreens on the centre console. You get a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with connected car features, followed by an 8.6-inch touchscreen for the AC controls and navigation. The 19-speaker 3D sound system is courtesy of Bang & Olufsen, which also comes with a 16-channel amplifier, but you’ll get it only on the top-end Technology variant. More equipment includes adaptive air suspension, seven driving modes, a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit, 30-colour ambient lighting, screens for the rear passengers, electrically-foldable third row seats, four-zone air conditioning with purifier functions and a lot more. We should mention that the purifier functions (air ionizer and aromatization) will only be offered in the top-end Technology variant, which also gets automatic wipers with integrated nozzles, and parking assist with a 360-degree camera. Other safety equipment includes lane keep assist, lane departure warning with steering assist, cruise control, eight airbags, and a speed limiter.
2022 Audi Q7 Prices, Variants and Rivals
The 2022 Audi Q7 is being offered in two variants — Premium Plus (Rs 79.9 lakh, ex-showroom), and Technology (Rs 88.3 lakh, ex-showroom). Rivals of the Audi Q7 include the likes of the BMW X5 (Rs 77.9 lakh), Mercedes-Benz GLE (Rs 79.9 lakh), and the Volvo XC 90 (Rs 90.9 lakh). Read our review of the 2022 Audi Q7 in the 100th issue of our magazine — click here to order!