Audi SQ7 TDI Could Head to the US

There’s a possibility the new Audi SQ7 TDI could be coming to the U.S.

The high-performance luxury SUV was unveiled last week, sporting a 4.0-liter V8 diesel engine with 435 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, helping make it the most powerful compression-ignition SUV on the market. Given that the Volkswagen Group is under fire with its diesel engines, it’s a fair question to ask whether the Audi SQ7 TDI would ever see the light of day in the U.S. It appears that answer is maybe, with Audi USA spokesman Mark Dahncke telling , that “the SQ7 is not officially signed off on for the US, but we are optimistic.”

SEE ALSO: Audi SQ7 TDI Features Three Blowers, 48-Volt Electrical System

That’s not quite an official statement that the Audi SQ7 TDI is confirmed for the U.S., but it’s likely as close as we will get now considering the model was just announced. The powerplant in the SQ7 TDI is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel steering system and all-wheel drive. The SUV also sports a new 48-volt electrical system that powers one of the compressors and the electromechanical adaptive suspension.

More interesting is that Dahncke said that we can “expect it to be a TDI if it does come,” meaning Audi won’t bring the model over with a different powerplant just because of the dieselgate scandal.

[Source: Autoblog]