KUALA LUMPUR: Audi Malaysia, a division of Volkswagen Group Malaysia and the official distributor of the brand, has unveiled its second-generation flagship full-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) – meet the new Q7.

The order books for the new Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro, that’s subtly different in looks from its predecessor, is currently open and is priced on-the-road including GST without insurance at RM589,900 after having undergone a weight-loss programme that saw it shed 325kg.

The 2,030kg (unladen) supercharged petrol-powered V6, mated to an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox for its quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, combines direct-injection with manifold injection produces 330bhp from 5,500 to 6,500rpm and 440Nm of torque from 2,900 to 5,300rpm,

Fuel consumption has been rated at 7.9L/100km and accelerating to 100kph from standstill takes 6.3 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top-speed of 250kph.

The Q7 also features Audi’s drive select with seven drive options of auto, comfort, dynamic, efficiency, individual, allroad and lift/offroad to help owners decide how this SUV behaves.

The new Q7 rolls on 20-inch 10-spoke star design cast aluminium wheels with 285/45 series tyres that try to fill the gaping wheel arches as much as possible.

Measurement-wise, its wheelbase has decreased by 8mm to 2,994mm over its predecessor and so has its overall length at 5,052mm (-37mm) and width at 1,968mm (-15mm).

However, it has grown taller by 3mm at 1,740mm and Audi engineers have found a way to provide more interior room – try 81mm more for shoulder width and 41mm more for headroom.

The seven-seater SUV has an 85-litre fuel tank below its 770-litre boot with a power-operated tailgate and is expandable to 1,995 litres with both the second and third row (powered) seats folded down flush into the floor board.

For even greater convenience, the rear suspension can be lowered at the push of a button as well from inside the boot to help make loading and unloading a little more convenient.

The Q7’s headlights with automatic range adjustment as well as daytime-running lights and rear light clusters utilise LEDs and the SUV also gets equipped with park assist, reverse camera and a surround view system.

Furthermore, it’s been fitted with eight airbags, an electromechanical parking brake and power steering, start-stop function with energy recovery, adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, hold assist, keyless entry with push start button and an adaptive air suspension among others.

Inside, the leather-clad cabin has an 8.3-inch central rising colour display with navigation a touch sensitive control panel, 15-channel amplifier with 558W of total output for the 19-speaker Bose 3D sound system.

The list of amenities continues with Bluetooth connectivity, 10GB of flash memory, two SDXC card readers, two USB ports, DVD playback, and even features voice recognition too.

The latest Q7 will have budding owners spoilt for choice with 10 colours available such as Carrara White, Glacier White, Floret Silver, Carat Beige, Argus Brown, Ink Blue, Graphite Grey, Night Black, Orca Black and a special Daytona Grey with pearl effect.

“The Audi Q7 is a game-changer not just for the brand, but for the entire premium SUV segment and I am confident that much like its predecessor, the great quattro will be a resounding success for Audi in Malaysia,” said Audi Malaysia managing director Immo Buschmann.

For personalisation options, which come with added costs, Audi Malaysia provides the S-Line packages to help discerning owners emphasise the sporty nature of their Audi.

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