Bringing a kerb weight of 1,995kg (for the 3.0 TDI) – 325kg less than the previous model – the new Audi Q7 features a lightweight, multi-material body and an all-new chassis.

Measuring 5,050mm long, 1,970mm wide and 1,740mm tall with a 2,990mm wheelbase, the new Q7 is 37mm shorter and 15mm narrower than its predecessor but offers substantially more interior room for passengers and luggage.

Front seats offer the option of the multi-adjustable sports seat and the climate-controlled individual contour seat with up to 18 adjustments and optional massage function.

Second row seats can be moved forwards and back by up to 110mm, 10mm more than before, whilst the model can once more be specified as a seven-seater. Boot space for the five-seater is 890 litres and 2,075 litres with the second row seat backs folded down whilst in seven-seater model capacity is 295 litres rising to 770 litres.

A power rear hatch comes as standard and in addition, when combined with the advanced key, Audi also offers gesture control, whereby the tailgate can be opened and closed by a kicking motion under the rear hatch.

UK models will initially be powered by the latest incarnation of the 3.0 TDI engine with 268bhp, which now complies with the Euro 6 emissions standard whilst its CO2 emissions have been reduced by as much as 50g/km. This model gives a 0 to 62mph of 6.3 seconds along with 47.8mpg official combined fuel consumption and CO2 of 153g/km.

A second variant of the 3.0 TDI with 215bhp and 369lb.ft of torque will follow at a later date. No efficiency figures were given but Audi said this will further reduce the CO2 emissions of the 3.0 TDI, setting new standards for efficiency. The Q7 also comes with a newly developed, eight-speed tiptronic.

The diesel models will shortly be joined by the Audi Q7 e‑tron quattro – the first plug in hybrid from Audi with a diesel engine.

The Q7 e-tron quattro combines a 255bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with a 126bhp electric motor housed in its eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. As the name suggests, the car offers four-wheel drive traction in electric mode.

Fully charged, the battery offers a range of 35 miles, in turn contributing to CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and fuel economy of 166.1mpg on the NEDC plug-in hybrid test cycle. The two power sources also produce 369bhp, and enable the car to reach 62mph in 6.0 seconds from rest.

The chassis also features numerous changes. Both the front and rear axle are five-link designs, replacing the double wishbone axles of the previous model. Also new is the electromechanical power steering, whose boost decreases as speed increases and is very efficient.

The Q7 also brings all-wheel steering to offer optimised steering response and improved vehicle stability. 
At low speeds the rear wheels steer opposite the front wheels, reducing the turning radius by up to one metre.

Steel suspension is standard along with the Audi drive select driving dynamics system, which works together with the adaptive air suspension to offer seven modes: efficiency (available for the first time on the Audi Q7), comfort, auto, dynamic, individual, allroad and lift/offroad.

The Audi Q7 also brings the second-generation modular infotainment platform, along with the Audi virtual cockpit and the new MMI all‑in‑touch control unit with large touchpad. Other innovations include expanded services from Audi connect, the Audi tablet for rear seat passengers and the two sound systems with 3D audio. Smartphone integration with Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is also new, making the Audi Q7 one of the first cars worldwide to offer these functions.

A further highlight is a comprehensive portfolio of new driver assistance systems. Standard features include the rear parking aid, cruise control, adjustable speed limiter, rest recommendation and the safety system Audi pre sense city.

New features include cross-traffic assist, exit warning system and trailer assistant as well as the adaptive cruise control system, which accelerates and brakes to keep the Q7 at the desired distance from the vehicle ahead. This also includes the traffic jam assistant, which uses the route data from the navigation system to alert the driver of situations in which it would make sense to reduce speed, such as before curves, towns or speed limit signs that are not yet visible.

Two further systems are scheduled to follow shortly after the launch. The avoidance assistant intervenes in the steering to help the driver avoid an obstacle. The turning assistant monitors opposing traffic when turning left at low speeds and in a critical situation, it brakes the car.