After an absence of almost two years from the Indian market, Audi’s seven-seat SUV is set to make a comeback in a petrol-only avatar.
The Audi Q7 facelift’s prices are set to be announced later this month. Bookings for the updated SUV are already underway at Audi India dealerships. Booking amount has been set at Rs 5 lakh. The Q7 will be sold in India in two variants, Premium Plus and Technology.
In addition to receiving numerous cosmetic and feature updates, the Q7 will also switch to a petrol-only powertrain with the incoming facelift. The SUV is being brought to India via the CKD (completely knocked down) route, with local assembly already underway at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India’s Aurangabad plant since December 10. This will mark a return of the full-size luxury SUV to Audi India’s showrooms, after the model was discontinued in the run up to BS6 emission norms in April 2020.
- Q7 facelift gets a fresh exterior design and a thoroughly revised cabin
- Expected to get a 340hp, 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine
- To rival the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90
2022 Audi Q7 facelift: design changes
The facelifted Q7 made its global debut in June 2019. While it carries forward the lean and athletic profile of the second-gen model, which was launched in India in 2015, it packs in a number of significant upgrades. Up front, it wears a larger, octagonal, single-frame grille, flanked by revised headlamps that get a distinctive Daytime Running Lamp signature. At the rear, the tail-lamps have been updated too, and there’s a chrome strip that spans the width of the hatch. Reworked front and rear bumpers and new designs for the alloy wheels round off the fresh look. At 5,063mm, the overall length is also up by 11mm.
However, it’s the cabin which feels all new. Multiple screens, gloss black trim on the dashboard and plenty of chrome and brushed aluminium make it feel like a modern day Audi.
2022 Audi Q7 facelift: feature updates
The pre-facelift Q7 was pretty well-equipped and came with features such as adaptive Matrix LED headlights, 360-degree camera, automatic parking, 4-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. Audi can be expected to up the ante with this year’s model.
Part of the update will be a move to Audi’s dual MMI system, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system positioned higher up and an 8.6-inch touchscreen, for climate control, placed down below in the central console. This set-up, however, does mean that the physical dial to control the MMI system will be made redundant. Audi’s ‘Virtual Cockpit’ digital instrument cluster will continue, though it will see an upgrade to the second-gen version.
Notably, the latest Q7 is also available abroad with kit like HD Matrix LED headlights with laser light tech and a head-up display. However, it remains to be seen which of these features are provided in the India-spec model.
2022 Audi Q7 facelift: engine-gearbox details
The outgoing Q7 came with a 249hp, 3.0-litre V6 diesel mill (45 TDI) and a 252hp, 2.0-litre, four cylinder, turbo-petrol engine (40 TFSI). This time around, however, the SUV is expected to come with a 340hp, 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol unit (55 TFSI) from the Q8 and A8 L. An 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox will be standard, as will Quattro all-wheel drive. Adaptive air suspension was a standard fitment on the previous Q7, though we’ll have to wait and watch to see if Audi continues with the arrangement for the facelift as well.
2022 Audi Q7 facelift: rivals in India
When launched, the updated Q7 will take on rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90. We’ve already driven the Q7 facelift abroad. Click here for the full review.
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