Despite €60,000 in penalties, the Audi Q7 does not give up on combustion engines

The big SUV Q7 from Audi benefits in 2024 from a stylistic and technological update to stay competitive against its electric rivals.

Launched in 2015, the second generation of the Audi Q7 is no longer very young. It received a welcome facelift in 2020, and will undergo a second in 2024 as it approaches its 10th anniversary. Should we interpret this as the German manufacturer’s way of delaying its true replacement as long as possible?

It’s true that it’s urgent to play the waiting game. Large electric SUVs still struggle to appeal to a customer base that isn’t bothered by purchasing power or fuel costs. A little more via eco-tax in certain markets like France. So let’s be frank: we won’t see many new Audi Q7s on our roads since its tax penalty will remain at 60,000 euros in 2024!

A SUV that will ignore France?

Offered starting at 89,500 euros before tax, which amounts to 149,500 euros actually, the Audi Q7 50 TDI quattro will hardly be affordable. And what about the SQ7 TFSI version with a starting price of 130,500 euros before tax (190,500 euros total)? It will therefore be necessary to wait for plug-in hybrid models in 2024 to soften this blow.

A crushing weight tax?

In its current configuration, the Audi Q7 weighs 2.1 tons, which again causes headaches for the authorities. This is why, in 2024, a new ultra-strict weight tax will be implemented, further ending the life of this type of vehicle on our roads… In the case of the Audi Q7, the “good news”: this measure does not apply because the tax already hits the ceiling of 60,000 euros. But what about future hybrid rechargeable versions?

Probably even heavier with their batteries, these versions risk a weight tax of 13,000 euros if we assume a weight of 2.3 tons.

What’s new in this Audi Q7 2024?

We might almost forget to focus on the innovations introduced by this new Audi Q7 2024. The style has subtly evolved with new LED headlights, wheels, and body colors. Inside, the infotainment interface has been updated to make long journeys more enjoyable.

While Germany offers a “small” TDI 45 engine, France starts with the more expensive but better-equipped version 50 TDI quattro. This 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine with 286 horsepower consumes 8.0 liters of diesel per 100 km and produces 600 Nm of torque. A small electric assist at startup helps reduce consumption by 0.5 liters / 100 km. Thus, under very specific conditions, the new Q7 can maintain its speed between 55 and 160 km/h for 40 seconds after the driver stops accelerating.

Its sporty SQ7 version retains a powerful 4.0-liter turbo V8 petrol engine producing 507 horsepower and 770 Nm of torque. The 0 to 100 km/h acceleration takes 4.1 seconds, and the top speed is set at 250 km/h. Useful features.

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