Audi has tweaked the engine line-up on its seven-seat luxury 4x4, the Q7. It has replaced two of its largest engines with more efficient units that made their debuts in the S4.
The 276bhp 3.6-litre V6 has been replaced by a 268bhp 3.6-litre V6 but it has 40Nm of increased pulling power. This engine, from zero to 62mph, is 0.6-seconds faster than before and has a top speed of 140mph.
The 345bhp 4.2-litre V8 engine has also been re-jigged. Audi has reduced the power output to 328bhp but it has 440Nm of pulling power. This version can now reach 62mph from a standing start in 6.9 seconds - that's 0.5 quicker than the previous engine - and it has a top speed of 152mph.
Both engines are more economical than before. There is a 12% improvement in fuel economy over the old V6 and 16% on the V8. On average, the two engines should return 26.4mpg and emit 249g/km of CO2 emissions. This makes the V6 and V8 much greener, CO2 emissions has been reduced by 40g/km and 55g/km respectively.
Audi has also introduced an all-new 237bhp 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, which features start-stop technology.
On average, this engine should return 32.8mpg and has a CO2 output of 195g/km. It has around 240bhp and a pulling power of 550Nm. This version of the Q7 can get from zero to 62mph in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 135mph.
Alongside these new engines will be the eight-speed tiptronic transmission. It was first seen in the A8 and now comes as standard on the Q7.
Up to seven can be seated in the three rows of seats that are included as standard. The boot has a maximum load capacity of 775 litres with five seats in place or 2,035 litres with two seats in use.
The Q7 2011 model year is available to order now and will reach their first UK customers in June. Prices start from £40,135 for the 3.0-litre TDI Quattro.