AUDI Q7 plug-in hybrid sheds 700 pounds with carbon fiber components

AUDI Q7 plug-in hybrid sheds 700 pounds with carbon fiber components
all images courtesy of AUDI

AUDI has presented the new Q7 ahead of the 2015 north american international auto show in detroit. the latest addition to the AUDI family is over 700 pounds lighter than its predecessor thanks to carbon fiber components, and is also offered as an e-tron quattro; the world’s first plug-in hybrid with a six-cylinder diesel engine and quattro all-wheel drive. although the exterior dimensions have become significantly smaller, the SUV offers substantially more interior room for passengers and more power under the hood.

the audi Q7 is powered by a 333 horsepower 3.0 liter turbocharged TFSI engine that can accelerate it from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 6.1 seconds, and the Q7 e-tron quattro, which will be launched mid-2015, boasts a system output of 373 hp and 516.3 lb-ft of torque. the plug-in diesel will consume just 1.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (138.4 mpg), and will go as far as 56 kilometers in all-electric mode with a fully charged battery.   

the rear hatch wraps around the massive, steeply raked D-pillars

ultra-high-strength parts made of hot-shaped steel form the backbone of the occupant cell. for its construction, aluminum castings, extruded sections and panels are used in the front and rear ends as well as the superstructure.

the daytime running lights of the LED headlamps are shaped like a double arrow

the design of the new Q7 is more masculine than before. horizontal lines extend above the wheels – these details are a subtle homage to the classic quattro models from the 80’s. the exterior mirrors are mounted on the shoulders of the doors, where blades run from the front to the rear doors and bear embossed quattro logos. the singleframe grille is deeply sculpted and features thick crossbars. it is integrated organically into the front end. its broad frame also extends to the headlights, which features AUDI’s latest matrix LED technology.

the taillights include dynamic turn signals

the reworked interior welcomes its passengers with a sophisticated atmosphere and spaciousness. the cockpit design appears tautly stretched; two-piece inlays are available in various material combinations. an optional MMI navigation system is also available with the ‘AUDI virtual cockpit’, a 12.3-inch TFT display that presents sharp, and accurately rendered animations. the new Q7 is equipped with the second generation of the modular infotainment platform, which integrates a quad-core T30 processor from nvidia. together with this technology, the systems generate realistic 3D graphics displayed at a rate of 60 frames per second.

view of the rear interior