Next-gen Audi Q7 targets the BMW X5 with enhanced PHEV power

Slowly and methodically, Audi has been reshaping its large SUV portfolio. In the coming months, its plans will materialise with the arrival of the all-new Audi Q7 – a next-generation interpretation of the popular seven-seat SUV, previewed here in exclusive imagery.

With a strong position in its segment, the new Q7 is expected to be priced similarly to the current model, starting from around €87,000 when it goes on sale across the EU later this year.

The Q7 will be built on Audi’s PPC platform, a major evolution of the MLB-Evo architecture that underpins the existing model. As seen in the transition from the Audi A4 to the new A5, this platform introduces a new electronic architecture designed to support more advanced and flexible electrified powertrains.

Among these will be a new V6 plug-in hybrid, combining a twin-turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery. While final figures are yet to be confirmed, outputs are expected to reach around 400bhp, with an electric-only range of approximately 95–130 km, extending to roughly 800 km when the petrol engine is included.

The PPC platform will also support a range of mild-hybrid engines, including Audi’s latest V6 TDI diesel. Already available in models such as the A6 and Q5 in global markets, this engine produces 295bhp and 580Nm of torque, available from just 1,800rpm.

A mild-hybrid system adds an additional 24bhp via a compact electric motor, enabling low-speed electric driving, reversing assistance and engine-off coasting at higher speeds. This system is expected to be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Petrol mild-hybrid options will also be available, alongside a high-performance SQ7 variant, which is expected to retain a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine.

Chassis technology will also see significant upgrades, supporting the Q7’s goal of combining comfort with dynamic ability. Features will include adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering and an active anti-roll system, helping the large SUV handle with greater agility.

All of this will sit beneath a completely new body design. While Audi is undergoing a broader design transformation under new design chief Massimo Frascella, the Q7 will be one of the final models developed under former design head Marc Lichte.

At the front, the new Q7 will feature a large grille flanked by a split-headlight design. As with the smaller Q3, the upper lighting elements will house daytime running lights and indicators, while the main headlights sit below, offering either matrix or full-digital lighting depending on the version.

At the rear, the SUV will adopt larger, more complex lighting units inspired by the A6, including OLED elements, a full-width light bar and integrated brake lights. Overall, the design will appear cleaner, with smoother surfacing, flush door handles and reduced visual clutter along the sides. Wheel sizes are expected to range from 20 to 23 inches.

Inside, the Q7 will adopt Audi’s latest curved display architecture, featuring an 11.9-inch driver display, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen and a 10.9-inch passenger screen. Material quality will remain a key focus, with extensive use of leather, soft-touch finishes and contrasting stitching.

The new Q7 will continue to compete with premium SUVs such as the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport. While the GLE is undergoing a mid-cycle update and the Range Rover will receive only minor revisions, the next-generation BMW X5 is expected to arrive as an all-new model later this year, posing a significant challenge.

All versions of the Q7 are expected to retain a seven-seat layout in a 2-3-2 configuration, although plug-in hybrid models may offer slightly reduced space due to battery packaging.

The Q7 will also form the basis of a wider family of SUVs, sharing its PPC platform with future hybrid versions of the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne. This shift follows changes within the Volkswagen Group’s strategy, including the cancellation of Porsche’s SSP-Sport platform, prompting a move towards more flexible shared architectures.