Audi to Debut Lighter, Taller Q7 Crossover at Detroit Auto Show

Audi AG says its redesigned Q7 large crossover vehicle is 716 lbs (325 kg) lighter and 26% more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

The second-generation model will be publicly unveiled next month at the Detroit auto show before going on sale in Europe next spring.

2015 Audi Q7

The 4,400-lb (1,995-kg) Q7 is shorter, narrower and taller than its predecessor but offers a longer passenger compartment with "substantially" more interior room. A multi-material strategy employs ultra-high-strength steel structural components and aluminum doors, fenders, hood and hatch.

The new Q7 will debut with a choice of two engines. One is a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel rated at 272 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. It has a 41 mpg rating on the optimistic New European Driving Cycle. The second engine is a 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline unit that delivers 333 hp, 325 lb-ft of torque and a 31 mpg NEDC fuel economy rating.

Audi will add two more engines to the seven-seater's lineup later: a 3.0-liter diesel rated at 218 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and a 2.0-liter gasoline powerplant that makes 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The latter engine is intended primarily for the Asian and American markets.

2015 Audi Q7 interior

Audi also plans an e-tron quattro diesel plug-in variant of the Q7 next year. The powertrain will use a variant of the 3.0-liter diesel (rated at 258 hp) and a 94-kW electric motor built into the car's 8-speed Tiptronic transmission. The combination nets 373 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the Q7 from zero to 62 mph in 6.0 seconds (6.1 seconds in all-electric mode).

Other available features for the new model include all-wheel steering, an air suspension with seven settings, 9.3 inches of ground clearance, predictive cruise control, self-driving/self-steering assist in stop-and-go traffic and LED headlamps.

Among the available passenger conveniences are adjustable-color LED interior lighting, four-zone air conditioning, improved voice recognition controls, night vision assist, a 12.3-inch adjustable all-video instrumentation display, head-up display and a 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system rated at 1,920 watts.