On July 22nd, the new Audi Q family flagship SUV was launched, including three new models: the new Audi Q7, Audi SQ7, and Audi Q8. Among them, the new Audi Q7 launched 4 models, and the guiding price range is from 609,800 to 804,800 yuan; the new Audi SQ7 only launched one model, and the guiding price range is 1,098,800 yuan; the new Audi Q8 launched 4 models, and the guiding price range is from 786,800 to 1,084,800 yuan.
It is worth noting that in addition to the changes in the styling design of the new models, they also use the newly designed flat Four Rings logo of Audi, becoming one of the first batch of Audi models with logo change in China.
It is understood that Audi’s new logo was released in November 2022 and was first installed on the Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback models. This model was renamed from the Audi e-tron and was launched as a mid-term facelift model and is currently the flagship SUV model in Audi’s electrified family. However, this car has not been introduced into the domestic market, so it has not been updated to the domestic market synchronously. Taking the new Audi Q7 as an example, it takes the lead in adopting the new flat四环 logo, and the surface no longer uses chrome plating, but forms a high-contrast visual effect with white and black. However, in order to meet the needs of domestic consumers, Audi still provides a black extended exterior kit including a black logo for users to choose from. Specifically, the white四环 line of the regular version will be replaced by dark gray, and it will look more low-key visually. It is understood that the subsequent new Audi A3 family, the new Q6L e-tron, the new A5 family and other models to be launched soon in China will also follow this change.
Returning to the new car, the changes in the appearance of the newly launched new Audi Q7/SQ7/Q8 models are very similar. The front grille and headlights of the new Audi Q7 have been redesigned. The new model adopts the design of the front single-frame grille, and the interior is dotted with honeycomb chrome trim, which will look more fashionable; in addition, the Black Warrior version has undergone comprehensive blackening treatment, and the front grille has added high-gloss black that shows a sense of grade, and with the redesigned front bumper, the overall style looks more sporty.
In terms of the interior, the main change lies in the soft wrapping treatment in the car. The new car combines leather and artificial leather. The upper area of the instrument panel is made of NAPPA leather, and the door armrests and center console trim are made of artificial leather. The top-equipped model is also equipped with an advanced extended leather equipment package. The new Audi Q7 continues to adopt the “three-screen linkage” layout, including a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument, a 10.1-inch central control touch display screen, and an 8.6-inch air conditioning system control screen, supporting Audi Connect interconnection, Bluetooth connection, navigation and other functions.
In the power part, the new Audi Q7 continues to provide 2.0T and 3.0T engine versions. The 45TFSI model is equipped with the fourth-generation EA888 2.0TFSI engine, with a maximum power of 195 kilowatts and a peak torque of 370 Newton meters; the 55TFSI model is equipped with the EA839 3.0TFSI V6 engine and the 48-volt mild hybrid system, with a maximum power of 250 kilowatts and a peak torque of 500 Newton meters. In terms of the transmission system, an 8-speed automatic manual transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system (with a central mechanical torque limited slip differential) are matched throughout the series, and an adaptive air suspension is also standard.
Looking back, the currently sold second-generation Audi Q7 was launched in China in 2015 and initially adopted a horizontal chrome-plated grille. In 2020, the major facelift Audi Q7 arrived, with a new appearance, the new generation of Audi family’s three-screen interior, all seven seats, and the quattro all-wheel drive system has been sold until now. The 2024 Audi Q7 can be regarded as the second major facelift of the second-generation Audi Q7, mainly adjusting the appearance design details, configurations, etc.
Nowadays, the market pattern of the domestic luxury midsize and large SUV has changed. BMW X5 took the lead in being launched and sold in the domestic market in the form of domestic production and reduced the guiding price, putting greater pressure on the same-level competing products sold as imported cars. In the first half of the year, the midsize and large SUV with the highest sales volume was the M7 of Wenjie, which was 111,300 units, followed by the Ideal L7, which was 65,000 units, and BMW X5 ranked third, with 46,100 units.
As for the new Audi SQ7, its appearance design and interior design are similar to those of the new Audi Q7, but as a performance version, it is more sporty in design. It is equipped with a 4.0T V8 twin-turbocharged engine (EA825), with a maximum power of 373 kilowatts and a peak torque of 770 Newton meters. The transmission system is matched with an 8-speed automatic manual transmission and the quattro all-wheel drive system.
The new Audi Q8 is positioned as a midsize coupe SUV. It was first released and mass-produced overseas in 2018 and officially launched in the domestic market in an imported form in October 2019. As a mid-term facelift model, the new car mainly adjusted the appearance design and interior configuration. The potential competitors include BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe SUV, etc.
