ABT Audi Q7 V12 TDI gets 560 Diesel Ponies

Volkswagen Group tuning specialist ABT is turning up the wick on the diesel powered Audi Q7 V12 TDI. In standard form, the 6.0-liter V12 turbo diesel delivers an output of 500 HP and a maximum torque of 1,000 Nm or 738-lb/ft launching the Q7 from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph. After ABT's intervention, the Q7's V12 diesel cranks out 560HP and 1,200 Nm or 885-lbs/ft of torque for 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 258km/h or 160mph.

ABT has yet to release any other details on its new creation, but expect the firm to offer numerous other upgrades for the SUV including larger alloy wheels, aerodynamic accessories and interior enhancements.

Avus Performance Takes on the Audi Q7

German tuning boutique Avus Performance has unleashed its latest offering based on the pre-facelift Audi Q7 fitted with the 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel engine. To give the large SUV some extra oomph, Avus Performance updated the software of the V8 diesel's ECU thus boosting output from 326HP to 365HP and peak torque from 760Nm to 880Nm or 649-lbs/ft. According to the German firm, the result is a 0-62mph (100km/h) time in the 6.0 second range and a top speed of 245km/h or 152mph.

Furthermore, the Q7's air suspension has been upgraded with a new electronic lowering module that allows the SUV's ride height to be lowered by up to 90mm.

The package also includes 23-inch alloy wheels in silver, titanium and various other colors, LED daytime running lights, darker tail lamps, black front grille and optionally, a high-end audio-video system with additional monitors integrated at the back of the front headrests.

VIDEO: 2010 Audi Q7 Facelift in Motion

The hard-working folks from Ingolstadt have released the first official videos of the facelifted Q7 SUV that made its world premiere at this week's Shanghai Auto Show. Hallmark features of the 2010MY Q7 include a series of not so noticeable cosmetic updates here and there along with a new energy recovery system that helps reduce fuel consumption and a revised version of the 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel engine that now churns out 340HP. Hit the jump to watch the refreshed Q7 in action.

Audi performs World Debut of 2010 Q7 SUV Facelift in Shanghai

The mildly refreshed Audi Q7 had its world premiere today at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show in China. For the 2010MY, Audi's full-size SUV has received a few minor styling tweaks that include a redesigned front grille, bumpers with new underbody protection and new LED daytime running lamps and taillights while the interior has been updated with a restyled instrument cluster and a new, third generation MMI navigation system. Mechanical changes include the introduction of a new energy recovery system that helps reduce fuel consumption. For more details and a high-resolution image gallery of the Q7 facelift, click here.

2010 Audi Q7 Facelift: 70 High-Res Photos and Official Details

Three years after its initial launch, Audi is releasing a facelifted version of its full-size SUV that benefits from mild styling tweaks and more fuel efficient powertrains. Starting from exterior, it will take a trained eye to spot the differences that concern the updated large single frame grille sporting vertical chrome bars, the revised front headlights, the LED front blinkers and rear tail lights, the chunkier door moldings and the newly integrated underbody protection plates in the center section of the front and rear bumper.

Same goes for the Q7's interior that gains a new selection of colors and materials, a chrome surrounding for the instrument cluster and most importantly, a new, third generation MMI navigation system.

Audi paid a bit more attention on the Q7's powertrains as the entire range profits from the introduction of a new energy recovery system, which during braking and coasting phases converts mechanical energy into electric energy and buffer-stores it in the battery. The German automaker said that this technology alone reduces CO2 emissions by up to 5 gr/km (8.05 gr/mile).

The Q7's 4.2-liter V8 TDI received further improvements that not only increased that output to 340HP with a peak torque of 760 Nm, but also resulted to a significant drop in fuel consumption, from 11.1 (21.19 US mpg) to 9.9 liters per 100 km (23.76 US mpg).

The rest of the diesel range comprises of the 240HP 3.0 TDI V6 that consumes 9.1 liters / 100 km (25.85 US mpg) with the Clean Diesel version of the same engine consuming 0.2 liters (0.05 US gallons) less, and the range-topping 500HP 6.0-liter V12 TDI diesel that gets by on an average of 11.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (20.82 US mpg).

The full-size SUV is also available with two petrol engines, the 280HP 3.6-liter V6 FSI and the 350HP 4.2-liter V8 FSI with a fuel consumption of 12.1 lt /100 km (19.44 US mpg) and 12.7 liters/100 km (18.52 US mpg) respectively.

European sales should start by summer with the U.S. following this fall. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch dates.