Based on the images taken by carscoops.com, the centre console appears identical to that of the Q8 and not the revised A4 as previous claims have stipulated, with pride of place going to the new 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment at the top, while a smaller 8.6-inch display is located underneath.
While hard to make out in the snaps, the Q7 is likely to also get the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Display digital instrument cluster, as well as other Q8 derived items such as Heads-Up Display, heated and cooled seats with massaging function, LTE Wi-Fi, multi-light ambient lighting and quad-zone climate control.
The unexpected new interior therefore also means that Ingolstadt’s rival to the all-new BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE will likely benefit from a range of updated safety and driver assistance systems, such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, Park Plus Assist, 360 degree camera and Lane Change Warning.
Now more than ever shrouded in mystery are the choices of engines, which, if the interior is anything to go, looks set to be the same electrically assisted 3.0 TFSI (330kW/700Nm) and TDI V6 (210kW/600Nm) motors used in the Q8, while the SQ7 will keep its 4.0 TDI V8 that makes 320kW/900Nm.
According to current reports, the Q7 is set to make its debut either at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, or two months later at the Geneva Motor Show.
