The lower power engine has CO2 emissions of 148g/km with combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg, which compares to 153g/km and 47.9mpg for the more powerful version.
Both engines have eight-speed auto boxes as standard along with Audi’s torque-sensing quattro four-wheel drive system.
The body now has a evolutionary look, with several styling cues made to disguise the sheer bulk
Perhaps the most surprising figures relate to the weight loss. A detailed reduction programme has dropped the weight by 240kg, a not insubstantial amount. Around 100kg has been saved from the suspension alone, with a further 71kg from the body. The whole vehicle is now 370mm shorter, 15mm narrower and with a 10mm shorter wheelbase.
The body now has a evolutionary look, with several styling cues made to disguise the sheer bulk. The aerodynamics of this package have improved, helped by more underbody cladding, so the Q7 now has a 0.32 drag coefficient.
The body rides on standard steel suspension springs although air springs are an option. There is also the option of rear-wheel steering, where the rear wheels countersteer at low speeds and run parallel at up to 5 degrees at higher speeds.
The interior, which can seat seven as standard, actually has more space for the occupants
The interior, which can seat seven as standard, actually has more space for the occupants, with the second row of seats, for example, gaining 21mm of legroom and 23mm of headroom. The third row similarly gains from the new design.
The cabin also gains a more contemporary feel, with minimal switchgear, an instrument binnacle like the one on the latest TT, and there’s a free-standing 8.3in infotainment screen.
The Q7 line-up is joined by an e-tron quattro. This plug-in hybrid diesel electric version should be able to cover 876 miles at full range, with an official fuel economy figure of 166.2mpg. CO2 emissions will be just 50g/km. It will be on sale near the end of 2015, joining the other two models which are already available.
The two turbodiesels will come with SE and S Line spec options. Prices go from £50,340 for the lower-power 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine version, to a starting point of £53,835 for the S Line model.
