Single diesel choice for Ingolstadt’s family bus but chair count, technical elements and trim are subject to buyer choice.

DIESEL-centric positioning has been confirmed for the new Audi Q7, with just the higher output version of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder choice coming in.

Whether the 220kW/630Nm mill for a launch product availing for $164,990 in seven-seater format is ultimately the sole choice here remains to be explained.

Audi in Germany has explained other engines - including four-cylinder and plug-in hybrid petrols - are in development.

Its diesel is equipped with mild-hybrid technology to boost performance and efficiency, but no economy or emissions data has been availed for this market.

Some right hand drive markets also take the compression ignition unit in a 182kW/ 500Nm tune.

The diesel has MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) tech that contributes 18kW and enables short spells of engine-off driving, such as coasting and low-speed parking manoeuvres without the combustion engine being active.

The technology is potentially appealing to Audi NZ, but perhaps less so the fuel type, for two reasons.

Primarily, with diesel the car is subject to Road User Charges. Also, though diesel is presently less expensive per litre than petrol, the impact of the Middle East crisis on pump prices and supply plus threat by the United States - a major diesel producer - to curtail export supply has caused it to rise more in percentage terms.

While pricing is out, the car has yet to arrive. The first shipment is due in early 2027.

The model has all the latest styling elements and has become more spacious than its predecessor, but it’s standing as the largest car in Audi’s line-up is set to be short-lived. The new Q9 also out next year will be even larger.

As is, the latest Q7 is 5056mm long, 2010mm wide and has a height of 1800mm.

While the external shape is highly familiar, the signature ‘single frame' grille has been enlarged and features subtle lighting to lend a three-dimensional appearance.

The NZ specification runs to 21-inch rims (the factory can provision up to 23s) and Matrix LED headlights, but the projection element that can produce dynamic lighting that shades other vehicles as it drives and can also pick out pedestrians on unlit roads and highlight them for the driver to see is a cost extra.

With this some 25,600 micro-LEDs, each measuring half the thickness of a human hair, are individually controlled by the system to produce its most advanced highlight technology to date.

At the rear, Audi NZ’s car comes with OLED lights, which create a distinctive light design both day and night. Similar to the front DRLs, these OLED units can display multiple designs and can even automatically switch to a static warning signature if another vehicle starts getting too close to the rear of the car.

Audi is also introducing a new safety feature called advanced turn signals.

In Germany these come as part of a package with the digital Matrix-LED headlights and OLED rear lights and augment the car's existing indicators, but it’s not clear if that’s the case here.

When these are activated, a large warning pattern with arrows in the respective direction is projected onto the ground at the front and rear. These let pedestrians and cyclists know that the car is about to turn.

Audi NZ also fits out its products with privacy glass and an electrically swivelling towbar (with a Euro-size ball); towing capacity is rated at 3500kg for a braked trailer.

The NZ delivery also has sports front seats, four-zone climate control, heated front and second-row seats, front seat ventilation, surface heating for front door armrests and the centre console. A sunroof with switchable transparency is an extra expense.

Not mentioned, but perhaps set to be an option, is a new automatic door system that lets owners open (or close) any of its doors either via the key, through their smartphone app, or simply by pulling the door handle.

An array of sensors behind the bodywork scans the area for any potential obstacles before the door is opened electrically. Once inside, the driver needs only to put their foot on the brake pedal for the door to swing shut.

The cabin features an all-digital dashboard with a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, both housed within a single curved panel. There's also a separate 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front-seat passenger.

A new style of wireless phone charging pad uses a magnetic connection to hold phones in place - there are two of these - and it has the usual large cupholders and plenty of USB charge ports throughout.

A move from glossy black plastic surfaces in favour of more traditional open-pore wood and other premium materials is viewed as being a positive change.

The Q7 also provides in five- and six-seat versions. The five chair is not on the cards but the six-seat layout is, again as a cpost-extra. This consists of two captain's chairs in the second row and two smaller seats in the third row.

All rear seats are not only electrically adjustable, but each also carries ISOFIX anchor points.

Luggage capacity is affected by the different seating configurations. The seven seat has 581 litres’ behind the second row, expanding to 1980 with seating folded. According to Audi Germany, the five-seat layout has 806 litres when all seats are in use and 2075 litres when the rear seats are folded, which suggests the seven seat layouts second and third row chairs create a degree of imposition even when folded.

Drive of course goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive features a new limited-slip centre differential with preload.

As standard, the Audi Q7 comes with steel spring suspension, but the NZ car has an adaptive air suspension setups that can lower the car's height by 62mm to ease ingress and egress. Germany also has an adaptive air suspension 'sport' setup that brings ride height down by 30mm to reduce the car's centre of gravity.