2017 Audi Q7 e-tron confirmed for Australia

Audi’s hybrid Q7 large SUV will be arriving in Australian showrooms before the end of 2017, after getting federal government approval to import and sell the model locally.

It has been a long time coming for the Q7 e-tron, which was originally slated for launch in early 2016 before a revision to mid-2016.

Audi Australia will sell the version from the 2015 Geneva motor show with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, instead of the model from the 2016 Shanghai show which teamed the electric motor to a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit.

The 0-100km.h sprint is claimed to be a sprightly 6.2 seconds.

The 190kW/600Nm diesel is paired with a 94kW/350Nm electric motor, with power being sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Combined fuel consumption is rated at a miserly 1.8L/100km, with an all-electric driving range of 56km. The 0-100km.h sprint is claimed to be a sprightly 6.2 seconds.

With a fully charged battery and full tank of fuel, the Q7 e-tron has a theoretical driving range of 1320km.

It takes approximately two and a half hours to fully charge the battery using a 7.2kW three-phase outlet, or around eight hours from a conventional socket.

To accommodate the batteries and electronics, the third-row seating has been deleted which also drops boot capacity from 890 litres to 650L.

Audi Australia product communications manager Shaun Cleary said the company has “taken the opportunity to refine the package, to ensure it’s very attractive to the kind of customers that are looking at this emerging segment”. 

The Q7 e-tron is expected to be priced around the $140,000 mark.

Pricing for the Q7 e-tron is expected to be around the $140,000 mark judging by its relative price in the UK market, which would make it dearer than its three main competitors – the Volvo XC90 T8 ($120,900 plus on-roads), the BMW X5 xDrive40e ($124,200) and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 500e ($129,500).

Hooking up the hybrid system adds 450kg of weight to the Q7, bringing its total weight to a hefty 2520kg, with 375kg of that being the battery pack, electric motor and power electrics, while the rest is made up of specification including a hybrid-specific climate control system.

The e-tron will also get an energy meter that can be displayed instead of, or in addition to, the rev counter. Displays for battery charge level, remaining battery range and energy flow are also available.

Three main driving modes are available comprising 'Battery Hold', which reduces electric motor usage, 'Hybrid', which calculates the most efficient mix of battery and combustion engine power, and 'EV', which prioritises use of the electric motor.

A fourth is available when in Hybrid mode with the gear selector in Sport, which employs more aggressive regenerative braking.

“This kind of technology brings really attractive user benefits for customers interested in taking up the most innovative drivetrain concepts that are arriving into the Australian market,” said Mr Cleary.

Sales of the Q7 were down 7.2 per cent in the first half of 2017, with 1456 total sales compared to 1569 to the same point last year.

Is the increase in price of the Audi Q7 e-tron justified by its green credentials? Tell us what you think in the comments below.