If the diesel engine is ever going to mount a comeback, it's going to be on the coattails of vehicles like the 2018 Audi SQ7 TDI. The high-performance version of Audi's new flagship SUV is an unabashed oil-burner, albeit one that is far removed from the smoky delivery trucks that once roamed this continent.
The diesel under the hood is an all-new, twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8, a mammoth construct that churns out 435 horsepower, as well as a prodigious 664 lb-ft of torque. (We sampled Euro-spec versions of the SQ7; final numbers for the North American version should be close.) In the press kit, Audi refers to its latest creation as the "most powerful and fastest diesel SUV on the market."
A day spent powering up, down and around the Vosges Mountains in southeastern France left little reason to question this claim.
The secret to the success of the SQ7 is a pair of turbochargers and the industry's first electrically powered compressor. The first turbocharger works from startup and is aided and abetted by the compressor at low engine speeds. This set-up serves to slash turbo lag and enables the Audi to achieve peak torque from just 1,000 rpm. At higher engine speeds, the second turbocharger kicks in, enabling the diesel to pull like a John Deere all the way up to the redline.
The powertrain is supported by a 48-volt electrical subsystem with its own lithium-ion battery. This subsystem powers the compressor and the electromechanical roll stabilization system, while also setting the stage for an eventual hybrid version. The roll stabilization system couples and decouples the roll bars, giving the Audi the ability to handle like a sports car and tackle off-road terrain more readily. The SQ7 TDI also comes equipped with all-wheel steering to reduce the turning radius and is available with an optional sport differential with torque vectoring for enhanced cornering.
There was not much opportunity to fully unwind the Audi over the mountain passes due to heavy traffic. But the essential characteristics of the SUV revealed themselves. The thing is fast, for sure. Some referred to the SQ7 as an "off-road R8" – this is a stretch, but not by much. (The dash from 0-100 km/h takes an estimated 4.8 seconds.) The performance credentials of the Audi are hindered by the automatic transmission and the naturally low redline of the diesel engine, which shifts at just more than 5,000 rpm. In terms of handling, though, the SQ7 corners ably and quickly, seemingly defying the laws of physics along the way.
The Audi SQ7 TDI will be on sale in Europe this summer; it arrives in Canada in the latter half of next year as a 2018 model.
You'll like this SUV if ... You crave performance, but not at the expense of versatility. And vice versa.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: TBD (Base price in Europe: €89,900)
- Engine: Twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre diesel V-8
- Transmission/Drive: Eight-speed automatic/All-wheel drive
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 7.2-7.6 (combined driving; New European Driving Cycle)
- Alternatives: BMW X5 xDrive50i, Mercedes-AMG GLE 550, Porsche Cayenne GTS, Range Rover Sport Supercharged
RATINGS
- Looks: The stock Q7 is handsome, more like a tall wagon than its hulking predecessor. The hot-rodded version has a different front grille, a lower front fascia, twin rectangular tailpipes, standard 20-inch wheels and the expected collection of bespoke badging.
- Interior: The passenger cabin is stellar. The seats strike an inspired balance between comfort and support. The materials used for the dashboard, centre console and doors are slick and well designed. The one flaw: the dizzying array of signals and messages coming from the driver assistance systems.
- Performance: The SQ7 has the straight-line performance to match all but the most extreme SUVs and a level of efficiency that makes these same vehicles seem woefully out of touch.
- Technology: As the flagship SUV for what is one of the more technologically advanced brands, it stands to reason that the SQ7 has more tricks up its sleeve than The Amazing Kreskin. The Euro-spec version has 24 different driver-assistance systems.
- Cargo: The version tested was a five-seater and the back row had a staggering amount of legroom. This model has 805 litres of cargo space (with the seats up), which sets the class standard.
The Verdict
9.0
The SQ7 has no real competitors – it's that good.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.
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