With the Q8, Q3 and the e-tron leading the way in flaunting Audi’s new love-or-hate design language, the refreshed Q7 has now also joined the movement. First impressions lead us to believe that it looks like an upright Q8. Audi has slapped-on the Singleframe grille which incorporates six upright slats. Flanking it are two restyled, LED-powered headlamp enclosures and down below is a redesigned bumper. At the rear, a chrome strip joins the sleek rear lights which, in pure Audi fashion, seem busy and sharp. As a result of exterior design trickery, the Audi Q7 facelift is 11mm longer than its predecessor.

There are changes on the inside too. The first thing that catches the eye is that the floating infotainment screen has now been moved down to sit within the restyled dash. Right below is a second touchscreen unit which controls features like the automatic climate control. Behind the multifunction steering wheel is Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which is now part of the standard kit. That, however, can optionally be hooked to a head-up display. The standard kit also includes an electric tailgate with a foot-activated gesture control available as an optional extra.

Obviously, the list of optional extras goes on and on. It includes HD Matrix LED technology for the headlights, electrically and individually adjustable rear seats, a four-zone climate control, a powered-assist function to close doors quietly and a Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System. Choose the S sports seats and they could be upgraded to feature climate control and massage functions. The options list also includes electromechanical active roll stabilisation and all-wheel steering. Air suspension will be standard on all seven-seat Q7 models.

At the time of market launch, the refreshed Q7 will be available with two diesel engines. Shortly afterwards, a petrol engine will join the line-up. All three engine options will feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid system which, apart from improving mileage, also assists the internal combustion engine in certain circumstances. In the Q7, the mild-hybrid system can store enough energy to coast for up to 40 seconds with the engine turned off. At a later stage, Audi will also introduce a plug-in hybrid variant of the Q7. By default, all Q7 derivates will boast permanent all-wheel-drive and eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Germans haven’t revealed the specifications just year. However, we won’t have to wait too long for those to surface as the refreshed Q7’s launch in Europe is slated for mid-September this year. Needless to say, it will also arrive in India. But that will happen sometime in 2020.