Audi SQ7 on the way with 4.0 litre turbo diesel V8 with 430bhp

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A range-topping Audi Q7 is on the way fitted with a new 4.0 litre V8 diesel with three turbos delivering 430bhp and a mountain of torque.

The new Audi Q7 was finally revealed at the end of 2014, and it looks like there’s now a new Audi SQ7 – in the mould of the Audi SQ5 – on the way with a mountain of diesel power to claim its place at the top of the Q7 range.

There have been lots of rumours about what will power an SQ7, but it now seems almost certain it will be a new V8 diesel with 4.0 litres and able to deliver an impressive 435PS (430bhp). It should also deliver a mountain of torque, more even than the almost 600lb/ft in the current 4.2 litre diesel.

Performance and power delivery is expected to be achieved with three turbos; a pair of conventional turbos and a third electric turbo – just like the Audi RS5 TDI e Concept – designed to work at low revs and eliminate turbo lag.

In the SQ7, that should be enough for impressive performance – on a par with a supercharged Range Rover – with 0-62mph taking something around 5.5 seconds, but with real world economy near to 30mpg.

But it seems highly unlikely the new 4.0 litre V8 diesel will find its way only in to the new SQ7; it will almost certainly find its way in to the new Bentley Bentayga, and serve as the starting point for a replacement of the 4.2 litre V8 diesel in the Porsche Cayenne S Diesel.

The new Audi Sq7 looks to be heading for a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.