No lag for this Audi SQ7 with electric-driven turbo

Currently our winner in the large SUV segment, the Audi Q7 has had power upped to rival the performance offered from the supercharged Range Rover and the Bentley Bentayga. Revealed at Audi’s headquarters yesterday, the new Audi SQ7 has the highest evolution of turbo diesel the brand has ever built.

Powered by a 4.0-litre V8 capable of 320kW, the Audi SQ7 is the first in the company’s production car range to use an electric-powered compressor paired with two conventional gas-turbine turbos. The two turbo chargers nestle inside the 90-deg V angle and the sequential setup sees the smaller turbo handle low rpm at partial throttle inputs before exhaust gas is redirected to the larger turbo. The electric compressor, which negates the usual pitfalls of exhaust-driven compressors, is there to eliminate any trace of turbo lag at low throttle speeds. A sound actuator plays throaty, if not very truthful, V8 bark through the speakers.

The electric compressor spins to 70 000rpm and ensures that both turbo chargers are always ready to work at their optimum efficiency and maximum boost pressure. In doing so the driver has access to 898Nm at the faintest prod of the throttle. A new 48 volt electrical sub-system powers the car’s electric turbo and the electro-mechanical roll stabilization system – the latter used with great effect in the Bentley Bentayga.

And the next chapter in turbo charging delivers the results. Despite downsizing the engine from 4.2-litres (as in the first Audi Q7) the Audi SQ7’s triple turbo action sees an increase of 70kW and 100Nm compared to an engine that was only bettered by Audi’s iconic 1000Nm, 6.0-litre V12 diesel.

The Audi SQ7 will tick off 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and the traction system that permits such RS5 inspired performance comes from Audi’s torque-sensing and torque vectoring four-wheel drive setup. Four-wheel steering is standard whereas in other models this is an optional feature. Optional carbon ceramic brakes should be compulsory and we’d suggest replacing those 20-inch tyres with the 22-inch set that Audi offers.

With all the R&D that Audi has poured into this engine, the fourth-generation Audi A8 and a yet to be unveiled Audi Q8 should be easy sells while Audi explores the future of electric compressors for smaller engines.