ONCE the obscure, efficiency diesel seven-seat SUV with gargantuan torque on faucet, the Audi SQ7 shifts to petrol for 2022 and, in doing so, features efficiency and dynamic chops that really feel extra sportscar than 2.3-tonne household hauler.
By obscure, we check with the very fact 900Nm twin-turbo diesel V8s aren’t too widespread, in passenger vehicles anyway, a lot of the outgoing mannequin’s attraction was the bellowing diesel donk and the very fact it was so distinctive.
The transfer to 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol energy is smart, even earlier than driving the brand new SQ7, however as soon as behind the wheel the dynamic prowess the brand new powertrain has unlocked is the actual winner.
With the shift to petrol and addition of extra tech comes a worth bump to $164,100, up $2600 on the outgoing diesel mannequin. Not too dangerous at a time when inflation threatens to speed up sooner than this SQ7.
On that word, for the additional coin you get extra energy, with peak outputs of 373kW and 770Nm leading to a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 4.1 seconds – a not insignificant 0.7 seconds faster than the diesel.
The one transmission possibility is the eight-speed torque converter computerized, which appears to be in regards to the magic variety of cogs in the intervening time and works completely on this software.
Other than a vigorous petrol V8, the brand new SQ7 will get all of the tech the earlier mannequin had, plus extra, with a really wholesome record of ordinary inclusions.
The SQ7 options rear-biased Quattro everlasting all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension, making it equal components grippy, manoeuvrable and comfy whereas nonetheless firming up significantly when wanted.
In truth, Audi Australia product supervisor Matthew Dale advised GoAuto the air suspension is able to processing 400 inputs per second from varied sensors across the automobile.
For an additional $10,900, Audi gives a dynamic bundle with electromechanical lively roll stabilisation and an electronically managed sport differential.
The SQ7 check automobile we drove didn’t have the dynamic bundle however its twin-under-the-skin SQ8 sibling did and the rear was noticeably extra vigorous whereas additionally tightening the entrance up extra in corners.
Audi did, nonetheless, match the $19,500 ceramic brake bundle to the SQ7 tester, that includes mammoth 10-piston callipers and 420mm rotors that look fairly cosy underneath the 22-inch wheels.
The helpful 3500kg braked towing capability stays which, alongside the very fact the SQ7 has seven seats, makes it a really succesful household hauler.
Cargo area is wholesome too, with 617 litres behind the second row, 1890 litres from the primary row again, and the air suspension truly helps you to decrease the load peak of the rear with the press of a button.
The third-row seating is appropriate for youngsters, or petite adults, and having seven seats whittles down the competitors for the SQ7; leaving actually solely the equally highly effective BMW X7 M60. However that’s greater than 200 grand on the highway and a Mercedes-AMG GLS63 is greater than 1 / 4 of one million bucks earlier than on-roads and choices.
Visually the SQ7 is as dominant as ever, with a decrease stance and ‘S’ physique styling components like entrance and rear bumpers, grille, air ducts, tailgate spoiler and 22-inch wheels.
Audi’s Matrix LED headlights with ‘laser gentle’ are fairly superior package, that includes a flowery high-beam able to monitoring oncoming site visitors and masking out gentle.
A panoramic sunroof, privateness glass, heated and folding facet mirrors, and smooth closing doorways spherical out the outside of the brand new SQ7. The smooth closing doorways are extra of a ‘good to have’, permitting you to softly latch the door and the automobile will correctly shut them for you.
The inside options loads of ‘S’ badging, and Valcona leather-based upholstery with diamond patterned stitching. It’s premium in each approach, with a various combine of colors and finishes, and completely nothing feels low-cost.
The seats are additionally a winner with four-way lumbar assist, electrical adjustability, heating, and comfy but sporty bolstering. If seated in a sporty driving place, the legroom is a bit cramped, which is the one criticism. Your correspondent is just not a very huge man, nevertheless it nonetheless felt a bit tight.
Two touchscreens with haptic suggestions handle in-car leisure and performance, the highest 10.1-inch display screen for infotainment, whereas the underside 8.6-inch display screen handles local weather and automobile management.
The infotainment system options normal smartphone integration, wi-fi or cabled, in addition to Audi join plus, and a 17 speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system is about nearly as good because it will get for audiophiles. We will’t neglect Audi’s signature SOS e-call within the centre of the roof console, which is strictly what it seems like—an emergency misery operate.
A 12.3-inch digital cockpit gives efficiency or normal modes, with all the knowledge you would need. It’s notably good in efficiency mode.
On the security entrance, it’s no shock that Audi matches the gamut of its crash-avoidance tech to the SQ7, like pre-sense entrance and rear, lively lane help, facet and cross site visitors help, and 360-degree cameras with kerb view.
