2010 Audi Q7 Facelift Priced from $46,900 in the States

Three years after its initial launch, Audi is releasing a facelifted version of its full-size SUV that benefits from mild styling tweaks and more fuel efficient powertrains. Starting from exterior, it will take a trained eye to spot the differences that concern the updated large single frame grille sporting vertical chrome bars, the revised front headlights, the LED front blinkers and rear tail lights, the chunkier door moldings and the newly integrated underbody protection plates in the center section of the front and rear bumper.

Same goes for the Q7's interior that gains a new selection of colors and materials, a chrome surrounding for the instrument cluster and most importantly, a new, third generation MMI navigation system.

Audi paid a bit more attention on the Q7's powertrains as the entire range profits from the introduction of a new energy recovery system, which during braking and coasting phases converts mechanical energy into electric energy and buffer-stores it in the battery. The German automaker said that this technology alone reduces CO2 emissions by up to 5 gr/km (8.05 gr/mile).

The Q7's 4.2-liter V8 TDI received further improvements that not only increased that output to 340HP with a peak torque of 760 Nm, but also resulted to a significant drop in fuel consumption, from 11.1 (21.19 US mpg) to 9.9 liters per 100 km (23.76 US mpg).

The rest of the diesel range comprises of the 240HP 3.0 TDI V6 that consumes 9.1 liters / 100 km (25.85 US mpg) with the Clean Diesel version of the same engine consuming 0.2 liters (0.05 US gallons) less, and the range-topping 500HP 6.0-liter V12 TDI diesel that gets by on an average of 11.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (20.82 US mpg).

The full-size SUV is also available with two petrol engines, the 280HP 3.6-liter V6 FSI and the 350HP 4.2-liter V8 FSI with a fuel consumption of 12.1 lt /100 km (19.44 US mpg) and 12.7 liters/100 km (18.52 US mpg) respectively.

European sales should start by summer with the U.S. following this fall. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch dates.

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