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Audi, following on from the successful launches of sporty versions of the Q5 and Q3 SUVs has developed a high-performance diesel version of the big Q7, but as well as extra power and torque, it comes with in interesting technical addition - an electric turbo.
Driven by a 48-volt electrical system and powered by a lithium-ion battery stashed under the boot floor, the Electric Powered Compressor (EPC) provides extra boost to the 4.0-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 engine when the exhaust driven turbos are waiting for their internal pressure to build up. Audi says that it can add boost pressure to the engine, on demand, in less than 250-milliseonds and that with this technology 'turbo lag is history.'
The two conventional turbos boost sequentially - one at low rpm and the other higher up the rev range. The total output is 435hp, and a monster 900Nm of torque. Audi says that the SQ7 (which is roughly the size of a tower block) will sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, and roll on to a limited top speed of 250km/h. On the combined cycle, it is said to consume 7.4-litres per 100km (a decent 38mpg) and its Co2 emissions are 194g/km.
Audi is also debuting its new Audi Valve-lift system (AVS) on this engine - which is a little like Honda's age-old VTEC setup in that it has two camshaft profiles - one for low rpm and the other for higher revs and power demands. It also allows Audi to selectively drive the exhaust gases between the two turbochargers for optimised response.
Audi has also swapped around the inlet and exhaust systems, putting the inlet pipework outside the engine's V, and the exhaust in the middle, which it claims further improves responsiveness and performance. There's an AdBlue injection system to eliminate NOx emissions (critical, these days) and a trick valve, which increases engine and exhaust noise when the driver selects sport mode.
All that engine grunt is put to all four wheels (of course) by an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, and there is fully-adaptive air suspension too, which includes an active anti-roll system. The SQ7 will come with 20-inch wheels as standard and later this year will be offered with the option of carbon-ceramic brakes too.
On the outside, you'll be able to tell it apart from lesser Audis thanks to the S-Line bodykit, extra vents and quad exhaust pipes. Matrix LED headlights are also standard, and they're connected to the sat-nav system, which means they know when a corner is coming up and where best to point their beams.
Inside there is full leather with contrast stitching and Alcantara inserts, plus two-piece centre trim with carbon and copper woven together.
Needless to say the infotainment system is cutting edge, with a 1,920-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system to go with the MMI screen and its full smartphone integration and Wi-Fi hotspot.
On the safety front, there's active city braking and the adaptive cruise control can also take over the steering in heavy traffic (as long as the roads are well marked) so that you can let the robots take over when driving is at its most frustrating.