Audi Offers Its Smallest Engine For Its Biggest Crossover

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Audi’s Q7 can now be optioned with a downsized motor — which is perfect for that tiny cross-section of America that doesn’t feel the need to prove itself with a big engine but also wants to own the largest and most expensive crossover Audi offers.

Huzzah?

Audi America announced today a new 2.0-liter turbo four-pot is incoming on the 2017 Q7 lineup. With 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque on offer, the new turbo mill is focused on efficiency and saving weight to improve driving dynamics. Despite the generous reduction in displacement, Audi assures us that the new 2.0T engine will reach 60 mph a half-second faster than the previous-generation 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6, which was also heavier and made 280 hp.

It is, however, a far cry away from the current incarnation of the 3.0-liter turbo already available in the Q7. At 333 horses and a healthy 325 lb-ft of torque, it will remain the choice for those who don’t need that extra nth of fuel efficiency. But the little two-fer will still have an audience if buyers believe Audi’s efficiency claims of 22 percent over the previous V6.

Audi says that enhancements to the exhaust manifold integration, valve lift system and some clever thermal management all work together to curb fuel consumption, though its EPA-estimated 22 mpg on the combined cycle isn’t exactly going to make the Q7 a must have for hyper-milers.

The micro motor makes things more affordable for cash-strapped Audi customers, though. Starting at $49,000, the base 2.0 TFSI model, still referred to as “Premium”, comes in at almost six grand less than the 3.0 liter.

Audi says the leaner-engined crossover will go on sale early next year.

[Image: Audi]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Dal20402 Dal20402 on Oct 18, 2016

    Seems perfect for UberSUV or livery drivers. No one needs more power than this to tool around the city for hire.

  • Brn Brn on Oct 18, 2016

    So, it'd be like driving a Ford Explorer with a 2.0L? Well, except the Ford will have fewer repairs.

    • Heavy handle Heavy handle on Oct 19, 2016

      Exactly, it's Audi's equivalent to the Ecoboost Explorer, or the T5 XC-90, or the Land Rover Discovery Sport, or almost any modern large crossover that matters. People always remark that these things are only used "to go to the mall" (more likely to drop-off the kids at school and go work, but the mall seems more decadent). Well, 280 lb-ft of torque will get you to the mall, no problem.

  • Amca Amca on Oct 18, 2016

    Yeah, fine. But when do we get the super-and-twin-turbocharged V8 diesel?

  • Piro Piro on Oct 19, 2016

    2 litres is enormous to compared to Audi's actual smallest current engine, the 1.2 litre TFSI engine seen in the Audi A1 and A3, 85hp in its least powerful guise. This couldn't have been a more misleading title.

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