The 2015 Audi Q7 has been officially revealed ahead of its global debut set to happen at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

“The new Audi Q7 is a statement of our competence, said Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi Board Member for Technical Development.”

“Weighing 325kg less, it sets the benchmark in its class. It is around 26 percent more efficient and is equipped with the latest assistance systems, infotainment modules and connect features.”

2015 Audi Q7 heavy on quality

With a curb weight of just 1995 kg, the 2015 Audi Q7 is billed as being the lightest model in its class. The model further features a multi-material body design with aluminium doors, hood, front fenders and rear hatch.

The exterior mirrors are mounted on the shoulders of the doors, while blades run from the front to the rear doors and bear embossed quattro logos. There’s also options to choose either xenon, LED or matrix LED headlights, which will include double arrow LED daytime running lights. High-end models will additionally benefit from dynamic turn signals in the taillights – like the R8 has.

Inside, the new Q7 gets the Audi virtual cockpit seen on the third-gen TT, as well as the latest MMI infotainment system with a bigger touchpad. The flagship SUV will be offered with either a Bose sound system with 3D sound or a more expensive Bang & Olufsen Advanced Audio System with 3D sound and 23 speakers packing 1920 watts of power.

In seven seat configuration, the Q7 offers 295 litres of bootspace and 770 litres with the third-row seats folded flat, while in a five-seat set-up there’s 890 litres and 2075 litres with the seats folded flat.

Other features include a rear seat entertainment system with one or two optional 10.1-inch tablets powered by an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor and featuring a full HD camera, 32GB of internal storage as well as Bluetooth, NFC and LTE connectivity.

Engine specs

Audi has confirmed that from launch the SUV will be available with a 3.0 TDI rated at 200 kW and 600 Nm, which takes it from 0-100 kph in 6.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 234 kph. It consumes just 5.7L/100km and has CO2 emissions 149 g/km. There is also a less powerful 3.0 TDI with 160 kW and 500 Nm that will be available later.

Also on offer is a 3.0 TFSI with 245 kW and 440 Nm and does the 0-100 kph run in 6.1 seconds to reach 250 kph. Its fuel consumption is rated at 7.7L/100km with 179 g/km of CO2.

Other markets will also get the 2.0 TFSI engine which delivers 185 kW and 370 Nm of torque. There will additionally be an e-tron quattro plug-in hybrid model which has a combined output of 275 kW and 700 Nm. This will be Audi’s first ever production plug-in hybrid diesel (its Le Mans racers providing the inspiration) and has a fuel consumption of just 1.7L/100km with CO2 emissions of 50 g/km and a 56 km electric range.