Up close, the new Q7 appears a fair bit smaller and less imposing than its predecessor. The impression is backed by the facts. At 5,050 mm long, 1,970 mm wide and 1,741 mm tall, it is 370 mm shorter and 15 mm narrower, but has the same height. The wheelbase has also been reduced, but only by 10 mm to 2,990 mm, and the tracks are 29 mm wider at the front (to 1,679 mm) and 11 mm wider at the rear (1,691 mm).
The aluminium look single-frame grille with crossbars is broader and lower than on the previous model. Its three-dimensional body is the central element at the front. The frame merges into the Matrix LED headlamps, which gives the new Q7 an aggressive and athletic look. The lines and contours continue from the headlights and the single frame on to the engine hood, giving the car a tauter appearance. At the upper corner of the headlights begins the blister line which segments the side above the wheel-arches, thereby giving the SUV a muscular look from the side.
The tailgate wraps around the steeply raked D-pillars – a typical feature of the Q range. The rear end is dominated by the horizontal lines, which underscore the width of the new SUV. The large LED rear lights continue the theme and complement the headlamps. The two rectangular exhaust pipes emerge from the lower part of the bumper, continuing the sporty look.
The Q7 is Audi’s flagship SUV and they wanted to make it as premium as possible and they have taken the quality and layout of the interior to another level altogether. The new SUV gets a new contemporary dashboard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, minimal switchgear and a retractable 8.3-inch multimedia screen. It is combined with a prominent centre console that houses the gear-selector and a new MMI (multimedia interface) controller, with other switchgear. The virtual display meter console can be changed from the stock speedo, RPM display to the navigation display along with speedo and RPM. With this set-up one does not have to take one’s eyes off the road to look at the navigation map on the centre console. The head-up display not only shows you the speed but also the speed limit and the limit starts flashing once you have crossed it by five km/h.
