The Audi Q7 is a forthcoming sport utility vehicle from the Volkswagen Group. The Q7 will be available starting in model year 2006. In early 2005, Nissan sued Audi over the use of the letter "Q" as a model name. Nissan's Infiniti marque had been using Q as the name for a sedan (the Q45) and SUVs (the QX4 and QX56) since 1989.
The Q7 will share its platform with the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. Based on the Pikes Peak quattro concept car, the Q7 is designed more for on-road use than its Volkswagen cousin. It lacks the Touareg's locking differentials and low-range transfer case but gains a third-row seating option.
Audi's 330 hp 4.2 L V8 and 240 hp 3.2 L V6 engines will be offered, with a Diesel possibly added later. Rumors point to a high performance variant of the SUV, possibly the QS7, launched later as well.
Insider rumors suggest that Audi and Maserati will be teaming up and sharing the Audi "quattro" state of the art all wheel drive for the Maserati 4.2 V8 engine and platform of the Quattroporte. Also Audi would be building the Maserati Kubang SUV on its already shared platform of the Q7.
