Audi builds the first SQ7, showcases at Geneva

The S-badge makes it to the Audi Q7 SUV for the first time ever to make it the most powerful diesel SUV on sale. The SQ7 is the second SUV in the Audi line-up after the SQ5 to get the S-badge is on display to the world for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show.Built on the new generation Audi Q7, the one that was recently launched in India, the SQ7 boasts of a 4.0-litre twin-turbo direct injection diesel engine.

SQ7 Front

The oil burner develops 435bhp of power and 900Nm of torque thanks to the sequential turbocharging where the compressor that spools at lower rpm is also driven by electric current. At low rpm, the turbochargers do not spool up due to the lack of exhaust gas pressure resulting in turbo-lag. The electrically driven compressor feeds the engine till the turbo spools up and reduces turbo-lag to almost nil and allowing the engine to deliver thrust right from the bottom of the rev-range. It also gets the Audi Valve Lift system that provides a second valve for each cylinder for inlet and exhaust to provide for better breathing of the engine at higher revs.

SQ7 Interior

The two-tonne SQ7 blows past 100kmph in 4.8 seconds like many a sportscar. The SQ7 gets an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox along with the famed ‘Quattro’ all-wheel-drive system to power all four wheels. The SUV gets electronic body-roll stabilisation to reduce the sideways sway around corners and offer better handling. You can also opt for the Dynamic package with sports differential, all-wheel steering and an electro-mechanical stabiliser unit.

The SQ7, otherwise, is like your regular Q7 but with an aggressive looking body kit and more luxurious interiors. The SQ7 gets 20-iinch wheels standard which can be upsized to 22-inches. The side air inlets, wing mirrors and door inlays in brush aluminium and the rectangular quad tailpipes will make the SQ7 stand out. Seven seats are still standard on the SQ7. It gets Audi’s virtual cockpit with the Advanced MMI interface and a 23-speaker setup for the perfect audio setup. The safety net of front, side and curtain airbags supplements the multiple driver aids like ESP, traction control skid control et al.

India is turning out to be a good market for premium/performance SUVs. Mercedes has been the forerunner getting almost its entire AMG range to India followed closely by BMW that has got its M range of cars. Audi is certainly not left behind with the S and RS cars already here which raises our hopes of seeing the SQ7 along with the SQ5 in India by 2017.