The Audi Q7 came to epitomise the trend for superfluous, road-hogging urban 4x4s, justifiably or not, largely on account of its sheer bulk and late arrival to the premium SUV party. Well, it's facelift time for Audi's brute, so the maker has done something to rebut criticism about its general profligacy by adding a 3.0-litre TDI 'clean diesel' engine to the range.
The new oil burner sits alongside the current 3.0-litre TDI in the line-up, but uses clever 'AdBlue' technology to get rid of harmful NOx emissions and a brake energy recovery system to drive CO2 levels down and fuel economy up. The result is the most efficient Q7 ever, with combined economy of 31.7mpg - though you'll pay a £1,500 premium above the standard 3.0-litre diesel for the couple of extra miles per gallon.
Visual changes are subtle to say the least, but there is a new grille with vertical chrome slats. The rest of the tweakage is standard issue facelift stuff, really. More important is the fact that the engine range is now a little cleaner and a little quicker: the 3.6-litre petrol gets 266lb.ft, 280bhp and 22.2mpg; the 4.2-litre TDI gets 561lb.ft, 340bhp and 28.5mpg; and even the tarmac troubling 6.0-litre V12 TDI gets 737lb.ft, 500bhp and a respectable 25mpg.
Options now include carbon ceramic brakes, adaptive headlamps and, of course, a fresh set of LED daytime running lights, which no self-respecting premium car can be without these days. You can order a new Q7 now, and if you do you'll get it in July. The damage? Anything from £38,575 up to well over £100k for a V12 TDI.
Mark Nichol - 15 Apr 2009