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After the facelift, the Q7 for the 2020 season will be unchanged. After next year, the 2021 Audi Q7 will suffer significant changes to keep the development in course. In the US changes will include the special SQ7 performance model. Also, a hybrid is possible, since its archrivals BMW and Mercedes are going the same way. The full-size SUV is not the largest vehicle in its family anymore, after the Q8 entered the market. The German carmaker will soon complete the Q lineup. Until that happens, the Q7 remains the flagship model that will be the latest technology the automaker has to offer.
Spy photos of the 2021 Audi Q7 are not unveiling too many changes on the exterior. Inside, we will see a huge overhaul. The new SUV will be very similar to the new Q8. Also, there are a lot of speculations about the engines lineup. The SQ7 or the RS Q7 model are getting a huge boost, while the e-tron electric model is on the way back after a short pause. The SUV is available worldwide and currently, it uses five different configurations, two with petrol engines and three with diesel units.
2021 Audi Q7 Petrol Engines
There are two certain setups the 2021 Audi Q7 will offer in the US. Well, the new configurations are on the way as well, but these are going to use the same drivetrains as a base. The entry-level SUV will use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit. Well, this is not the perfect engine for the full-size SUV. We are still wondering what Audi is trying to do with this 250 hp and 275 lb-ft rated drivetrain. It is more suitable for the compact class, not even a mid-size tier. But, well, you are getting good fuel economy numbers. Premium models of its size and weight will consume 20 mpg in the best case, while the Q7 returns 19 miles per gallon in city driving.
The 2021 Audi Q7 will be more popular with the V6 supercharged unit that creates 330 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is a power router. Again, the size positions the Q7 at the full-size class, but engines are saying it is a mid-size model. Maximum towing capacity is 7,700 pounds.
Diesel Engines
European models also got the revisit this year modifying the existing engines. These are the same 3.0-l and 4.0-l drivetrains, but with better output and fuel consumptions. A 3.0 liter turns to 45 TDI model with 13 ponies more than before (228 hp total). The SUV also produces 370 lb-ft. The same engine in 5.0 TDI configuration boosts output to 282 hp (14 more than the previous version) and 445 lb-ft of twisting power. The SQ7 model is already available in Europe with a 4.0-liter turbodiesel engine. A V8 boosts the power to 430 hp and 665 lb-ft of torque. It is the fastest model in the lineup since it needs less than 5 seconds to accelerate 0-60 mph.
2021 Audi SQ7 and e-tron Versions in the US
According to rumors, the company is going to return the e-tron model discontinued in 2018. Engineers used to combine the electric battery with a 3.0-liter diesel engine for 380 hp and 515 lb-ft of torque. For the US market, the German automaker will combine a 3.0-liter V6 drivetrain with a new electric motor. Power outputs should be closer to 400 horsepower. Also, we believe that Audi will consider the V8 petrol unit. In this case, the e-tron could be the high-performance version, since the base engine can produce 420 hp and 400 pound-feet. The electric motor could make it 500-hp SUV, which will compete with BMW X7M and Mercedes AMG GLS.
Besides the 2021 Audi Q7 e-tron, we also want to see the SQ7. This is currently more likely addition since some experts already announced options for this SUV. They claim the new 2021 Audi SQ7 is going to get power from a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 drivetrain. It is already used by the RS versions of Audi 5 sedan. There, it makes 450 hp. The SUV will need higher outputs. On the other hand, we still believe Audi can tune its 4.0 TFSI engine to be competitive in the US market. It delivers enough power for the full-size vehicle. Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator are delivering over 400 hp.
2021 Audi Q7 Release Date and Prices
Test mules of the 2021 Audi Q7 are saying the SUV is on the way. Early predictions say the vehicle is coming in 2020 as the 2021 year model. Changes under the hood need more time to craft the perfect performance. Interior modifications of the entry-level models will increase the price for a bit. The base model will cost around $57,000. This is another proof the Q7 is more a mid-size vehicle than a big rig. A high-end SQ7 and e-tron will come with a price tag over $70,000.
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