We knew a hot version of Audi's flagship Q7 SUV would eventually arrive and here it is. The Audi SQ7 promises power, luxury and performance in a very premium package…
Audi has a reasonable track record when it comes to performance SUVs. The pocket rocket Audi RS Q3 is a hoot, while the SQ5 is ideal for humbling hot hatches. The only SUV that doesn't have a performance derivative is the new Q7, until now, that is. Audi claims its new SQ7 is the most powerful turbodiesel SUV in the market.
The insane engine
While the SQ7 looks quite aggressive with quad exhaust pipes, distinct badging and gaping front bumper and grille, the real punch comes from the engine, and what an engine it is. Employing technology from the multiple race-winning Audi endurance cars, the 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel motor features not one, or two, but three turbochargers. Two of the turbos work in the conventional manner by harvesting exhaust gases, but the third is an all-new electronic turbocharger that keeps the engine boosting in the lower engine revolution range.
The result is a vehicle that packs 320 kW and 900 Nm. What's even more impressive, is that all of the 900 Nm is available from 1 000 rpm (thanks to that electronic turbocharger). The 0-100kph sprint is claimed to take 4.8 seconds and the SQ7 will go onto an electronically limited 250kph. We don't have figures for it, but we'd assume that in-gear acceleration will be particularly savage. Being a turbodiesel motor, economy will be on the lower side; Audi claims its new SQ7 can sip 7.4 L/100km, but given its performance profile, we imagine that figure will be hard to achieve in general use.
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