Audi has a treat in store for performance SUV fans.
At the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the German automaker unveiled the new 2016 Q7 and according to a report from Top Gear, the SUV will get the RS treatment. The company has confirmed that an RS Q7 is in development as a high-performance variant of the Q7 though its powerplant has yet to be decided. The insider suggested that a TDI engine could power the SUV but it likely won’t be a V12 because it’s too heavy.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Audi Q7 Revealed Before Detroit Debut
One candidate would be the twin-turbo engine found in the RS6 which provides around 560 hp. The Audi RS Q7 would aim to compete with the BMW X5 M and the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG, so handling enhancements would also be a necessity along with more aggressive and sportier styling.
One thing to keep in mind is that Audi is well aware that diesel powerplants aren’t as popular in the U.S. as they are in Europe. In the case of the SQ5, it’s available with a TDI diesel in Europe but the U.S. gets a TSI standard gasoline engine, so it’s a possibility that the U.S. market might not get a diesel-powered RS Q7.
[Source: Top Gear]
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Tags: Audi, audi rs q7, audi rumors, Performance SUVs
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