The 2022 Audi Q7 rivals goes up against the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and the Volvo XC90Audi Media Center

2022 Audi Q7 local assembly begins — Bollywood’s favourite SUV is coming back

The 2022 Audi Q7 is due for launch soon, with production having commenced at the Aurangabad plant

The 2022 Audi Q7 is all set to be launched in India very soon. Once the go-to SUV for Bollywood A-listers, the Q7 was among the majority of Audi India’s lineup that was laid to rest at the onset of the BS6 emission norms. While most of the details remain scarce, we know that the 2022 Audi Q7 will be offered in a sole petrol-only variant. Rivals of the Audi Q7 include the Volvo XC90 Recharge, BMW X7, and the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

2022 Audi Q7 Design

The 2022 Audi Q7 looks a lot more mellowed down than the previous modelAudi Media Center

It does look like a grown-up Q3, and that's a good thingAudi Media Center

The old Audi Q7 was known for its towering, gargantuan dimensions, giving it a butch, macho appeal. It still looked sophisticated, but the emphasis was on how aggressive it looked. The 2022 Audi Q7 then, at least on paper it looks a lot more mellowed and hunkered down than before, with more emphasis on sophistication and classy, but we better reserve our judgement until we actually see it in the flesh. That said, the 2022 Audi Q7 does look like a grown-up Q5, and we aren’t complaining. It gets the familiar singleframe grille with six chrome slats, which is surrounded by the headlights, which receive Matrix LED and Audi Laser Light as an option. The rear looks significantly different with a redesigned tailgate, new tail lights, and a chrome strip running across the width of the tailgate.

2022 Audi Q7 Powertrain and Performance

The 3-litre V6 TFSI will most likely power the new Q7Audi Media Center

We know that Audi will offer the 2022 Q7 with a turbo-petrol engine, which will likely be a 3.0-litre V6 TFSI unit. Paired to an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission with permanent quattro all-wheel drive, the 2022 Audi Q7 produces 335bhp at 5200-6400rpm, and 500Nm of torque at 1370 - 4500rpm. The Q7 can reach a top-speed of 250kmph, and takes 5.6 seconds to complete a 0-100kmph sprint.

2022 Audi Q7 Features on offer

The centre console recieives two massive touchscreens — it remains to be seen whether the India-spec model will get these or notAudi Media Center

The Q7 is offered internationally in five-seater and seven-seater configurations, and it is likely the 7-seater will make it here.

Some of the equipment the international-spec Q7 receives include cloud-based Alexa, Google Earth navigation, MMI operating system, Audi Virtual Cockpit, with optional head-up display, adaptive cruise assist suite, emergency assist, Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, four-zone automatic air-conditioning, and an electric tailgate among others.

2022 Audi Q7 Rivals and Launch

The rear looks fresh with a redsigned tailgate and new tail lightsAudi Media Center

While an official timeline is yet to be confirmed, we are expecting the new Audi Q7 to be launched in early 2022. The 2022 Audi Q7 could carry a price tag of Rs 96 lakh to 1 crore (ex-showroom), which is on par with its rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS (Rs 1.08 crore), BMW X7 (Rs 1.06 crore), and the recently upgraded Volvo XC90 Recharge (Rs 96.65 lakh), Could the 2022 Audi Q7 write a successful comeback story? We’ll have to wait and watch.

Audi