Hot Audi SQ7 to get V8 diesel

Audi will launch SQ7 for 2016 powered by a V8 diesel with electric turbos, says technical chief

The order books have barely opened for the new Audi Q7, but already the full extent of the line-up is becoming clear. Audi’s head of technical development, Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, has confirmed that a more powerful SQ7 will launch some time next year, powered by a V8 diesel engine featuring ‘e-boost’ electric turbochargers.

First showcased on Audi’s 2014 RS5 TDI-e concept, the technology is designed to eliminate turbo lag for razor sharp throttle response – even in a diesel. The idea is that an electric motor spins up the turbo before the hot exhaust gases arrive and take over the job of compressing the air into the cylinders. The system only works up to around 3,000rpm before it’s no longer needed and bypassed completely.

As for the engine, Audi’s tried and tested 4.2-litre TDI unit that’s already fitted to the Porsche Cayenne Diesel S is the obvious candidate for the SQ7, but one engineer hinted that it might appear with a different, possibly 4.0-litre, capacity. It’s believed this same unit will also be used, albeit in a different state of tune, in the Bentley Bentayga with which the new Q7 shares its MLB-evo platform.

Power and torque output in the RS5 TDI-e concept was 380bhp and 750Nm from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, so expect the SQ7 to surpass that with over 400bhp and significantly more torque. Considering the current fastest Q7 – the 268bhp 3.0 TDI model – covers 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds, a time of around 5.5 seconds for the SQ7 is feasible. Its closest rival will be the triple-turbo 376bhp BMW X5 M50d.

According to Hackenberg, other Q7 variants under consideration - should the customer demand be sufficient – include a more off-road bias version. “It is possible to have this platform with a reduction gearbox - the VW Touareg will have it, but there is not the demand at present,” Hackenberg said. “But if there is a business case we could always do a small run.”