Audi Q7 CKD starts production in Pekan – first CKD Audi in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, RM469k-489k est

Production of the second-gen, second-facelift Audi Q7 has begun at DRB-Hicom’s Pekan, Pahang plant ahead of its launch next month. The SUV, which has been open for booking since April 10 at an estimated price of RM469k-RM489k, is the first locally-assembled (CKD) Audi in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

“This manufacturing plant and its transformation with a modernised and updated product portfolio is really a centre of excellence. Customers will continue to experience the same Audi quality, performance and luxury – now made in Malaysia,” said Volkswagen Group Malaysia MD Dr Susanne Lehmann.

The Pekan plant, which currently assembles Volkswagens Golf, Arteon, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg (the Audi Q7’s sister), is also expected to roll out other Audi models in the future, at a capacity of 5,000 units per annum. An initial investment of over RM12 million has been made towards this.

Offered in a single 3.0 TFSI S line variant, the Q7’s RM469k-489k estimated price range compares favourably against its German rivals – the BMW X5 xDrive50e starts from RM494,800 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE450 (with a four-year warranty) at RM524,888. The Audi and Mercedes have seven seats.

You get a 3.0 litre turbocharged TFSI V6, the same one you’ll find in the Volkswagen Touareg and making an identical 340 PS from 5,200 to 6,400 rpm; peak torque, meanwhile, gets boosted by 50 Nm to 500 Nm, made between 1,370 and 4,500 rpm. Unlike its mainstream-badged sibling, the Audi pairs the six-pot with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, using a belt-driven starter-generator to allow engine-off coasting for up to 40 seconds between 55 and 160 km/h.

All that extra torque means that despite the two extra seats and typical Audi blubber, the Q7 is able to rocket from zero to 100 km/h four tenths of a second quicker than the Touareg, taking 5.6 seconds to complete the century sprint on its way to an electronically-limited 250 km/h. The mill is mated to an eight-speed ZF auto and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

The last Q7 to be sold in Malaysia officially was the pre-first facelift second-gen model in the late 2010s, which was priced up to RM600k. This second facelift gets a new front fascia with sharper headlights – replete with eyebrow-style daytime running lights – allied to an octagonal Singleframe grille with an open hexagonal mesh, while vertical air inlets sit at either corner. You also get OLED taillights, and both the front and rear light signatures can be customised to your liking.

Local models come standard with HD matrix LED headlights with laser high beams and the S line package, the latter throwing on a sportier air intake design, a rear diffuser and body-coloured cladding. They also get the black styling package plus which lends a black finish to the grille, door mirrors and other components for a meaner look. A set of 22-inch Audi Sport V-spoke two-tone alloy wheels completes the look.

Various tweaks over several years have made the Q7’s interior look very similar to the Q8‘s, with acres of silver and gloss black trim, and three screens – a 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit instrument display (which can now show surrounding road users in 3D), a 10.1-inch upper centre touchscreen with Volkswagen’s third-gen modular infotainment system (MIB 3), and an 8.6-inch display below it to control certain vehicular functions and the four-zone climate control.

Again, the S line pack proffers a sportier look, with a flat-bottomed steering wheel and power-adjustable sports seats plus upholstered in quilted Valcona leather. The pews, by the way, come with heating, ventilation and memory, along with powered lumbar support.

Other bits of standard equipment include a head-up display, soft-closing doors, rear door sunshades, Audi Connect navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi wireless charging, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium 3D sound system, a 360-degree camera system, park assist, sports-tuned adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering and a hands-free powered tailgate.

Safety-wise, the Q7 comes fully kitted with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane keeping assist, evasive steering assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, reverse AEB, a door opening warning and adaptive high beam.

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