New face for monster Q7

By Sam Hardy

09th April 2009

Form an orderly Q – Audi’s biggest SUV has been given a host of updates! As well as a facelift, the latest Q7 gets a more efficient diesel engine.

The changes up front include a redesigned radiator grille with vertical chrome bars and a contrasting black finish, plus a heavily ribbed bumper guard. Options include adaptive xenon lights with LED running lamps.The release comes after we brought you these spy shots of the undisguised facelifted model out testing.

At the rear, there’s a lighter aluminium tailgate, standard LED lamps plus a two-tone finish for the bumper. And four new colours have been made available, including the Teak Brown shown here. Inside, the seven-seater gets a redesigned instrument cluster with metallic edging for the dials and extra chrome. 

The 240bhp 3.0 TDI is also available as a new ‘clean diesel’ with a complex exhaust gas recirculation system. At 31.7mpg as opposed to 31mpg, it is a little more economical, but nitrogen oxide emissions are drastically reduced. All engines get a brake energy recovery system, too. Sales start later this year.