You can't beat it for presence - its sheer size is daunting in the flesh, especially when you figure out its 5089mm length, 2177mm width and 765mm height (ups to 836mm when the ride height is set to maximum). Get that weight measure out of the way as well, for unladen this huge momma of an SUV tips the scales at 2035 kilos and it yet has the capacity to swallow seven homo sapiens.

es the Audi Q7 seems to be all excess and probably the reason why many look at SUVs with a jaundiced eye yet are not averse to secretly lusting for one themselves! However let me say that from a machinery point of view, cars like the Q7 are at the cutting edge of the automotive business and this edge has been further sharpened to cut many a nay sayer to size. The latest iteration of the Q7 proves this in some measure: it has the same large 2967cc dohc 24-valve turbocharged V6 engine for India but it is now not just more powerful and torquey but it is also even more cleaner and has better fuel efficiency to deny SUV-bashers a leg to trample on it, that is if they are brave enough to stand in front of this butch beauty.

First off let's get one detail out of the way: are there really any new pointers on the style front to distinguish this Q7 from its predecessor? Well if there are they are so subtle that you would miss them. However the LED daytime running lights are a neat touch while the large single-frame grille features vertical chrome slats to contrast with the high gloss dark finish. Subtle or brash, there is a happy blurring of these traits on the new Q7. The biggest aspect of the new Q7 is the technology that Audi has further wrought into its flagship SUV. While Europe and other markets get more powerful Q7 derivatives, the 3.0-litre V6 TDI for India is now even more refined and packs an iron punch in a velvet fist. Bludgeoning efficiency was never so smoothly and subtly delivered and in this case the Q7 manages to out snare its rivals easily.

No other car boggles the mind with figures as does the Q7 and so engine performance figures have to be brought into play yet again. It is not the 240 Ingolstadt horses (all on full gallop in the 4000 - 4400rpm band) which is of the essence but rather pride of place in the thumping stakes goes to the 550Nm of torque which the quad cam turbocharged engine produces in the 2000 to 2500 rpm range. Not only is the gut wrenching torque laid out strong and thick be it on tarmac or out on the rough and the tumble, it is the seamless and silky power delivery which is awesome in its efficacy and pleasure.