The planned changes are very minor considering that the Audi Q7 is one of the most competitive big SUVs in the market right now, rivaling the BMW X5 and the next-gen M-Class from Mercedes-Benz.

A new tail lamp LED setup will be in place. Audi will also make available options for LED daytime lights and turn signals.

The 2010 Q7 will also have the latest version of Audi’s MMI, joystick control, 3D navigation map, and Sirius traffic data. The driver or occupant can actually say that they are hungry and the system will lead them to the nearest restaurants.

The Q7 has a history of good ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is also considered one of the safest vehicles in Audi’s fleet with Top Safety Pick recognition from the IIHS or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 3.6L variant has a fuel economy of 14 mpg on city driving and jumps to 20 while cruising the highway. The 4.2L Q7 goes for 13mpg on city streets and 18 mpg on the highway.

The 2010 Q7 rolls out of Audi dealerships this month with sticker price starting at $47,725. The turbodiesel variant goes for at least $51,725. Consumers can get a $1150 tax credit if they buy the Q7 considered as a green vehicle.

As far back as 2005, Audi corporate heads and engineers compared the concept Q7 Hybrid’s powertrain costs and fuel efficiency with a diesel version and concluded that, in the US at least, the diesel wins out on both counts. Automotive News reports that Audi will also be swapping out some of its V8s for supercharged V6s for a net improvement both in power and fuel-efficiency. In a more recent article, they also report that Audi has no plans to sell the 2009 Audi Q7 Hybrid in the US.

At any time now, the new 2009 Audi Q7s will be rolling off assembly lines in Ingolstadt, Germany and elsewhere to go on sale in cities throughout in Europe and Great Britain. With an emphasis on performance and luxury, the 2009 Audi Q7 Hybrid now adds the distinction of fuel efficiency to its flagship SUV. Despite its ponderous curb weight (6570 lb), it can still do 0-60 in less than 8 seconds and promises a fuel efficiency rating of 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, a 27 percent increase in fuel efficiency over the non-hybrid version (16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway).

The Q7’s hybrid drive system, a 3.6 Liter V6 280 horsepower gas engine plus a 50 horsepower electric motor powered by a 288-volt nickel metal hydride battery pack, was developed with help from the engineers at Porsche and Volkswagen. With its three-mode system, the large SUV can operate via its electric motor alone at speeds up to 30 mph for over one mile (much like similar Honda cars), gas engine alone, or by a combination of electric and gas propulsion.

Not suitable for off-road mud holes, the new Q7 Hybrid is equipped for inclement weather on slippery highways with all-wheel-drive and its 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission with descent control and hill holder. Smoothing away the bumps is the Audi Q7’s four-wheel independent suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars supporting 18-inch all-season tires on alloy wheels. The Q7 can travel up to 528 highway miles before refilling its 26.4 gallon tank. It also comes with an external temperature display, turn signal mirrors, variable intermittent rain sensing wipers, and optional back-up camera.

Audi engineers don’t miss a step when it comes to safety either, with ABS and standard head, passenger and side airbags. NHTSA crash test ratings for the 2009 Q7 are 5-stars except 4-stars for rollover.

Luxurious and sophisticated to the nines, with unparalleled options packages, the 2009 Audi Q7 Hybrid allows roomy and comfortable seating for five to seven, complete with front passenger and driver bucket seats. Sirius satellite radio (free three months subscription) can be pumped through its 180 watt, 10 speaker stereo system. Accompany every trip down the road with its own soundtrack from the AM/FM in-dash 6 CD player. Conspicuously absent is a built-in DVD system to keep the kids occupied on long trips. The US will have to wait for more prosperous times before the Audi Q7 makes it to our side of the Atlantic.

But common notions dictate that Americans are so used to gasoline. The challenge for Audi now is with the buying market, will they prefer diesel?

The vehicle has turbocharged V6 engine with 3.0 liter. It has been packaged by the company as something reliable for drivers at the same time clean and fun to use. The catch is that though it has similar skins of a crossover, it is powered with diesel. This makes up to a difference of almost $3,000 compared to the old one.

With a torque that’s 405 lb-ft, some reviewers question its practicality for short distance travelers. True enough, Audi wants to prove that it sticks to the way it is packaged. With enough space in the back part of the vehicle for gears for long travel, Q7 3.0 TDI would make a good transportation for road trippers or for those who regularly take a long distance trip.

On engine talk, the unit rates at 225 horsepower. Mix that with the torque; this unit can peak at 130 mph. It can even perform from 0-60 in just 7.9 seconds. Something suburban drivers or car owners may like.

Technically, this unit is good enough. It has a low-end torque that is still satisfying.
Gas or diesel, consumers may overlook this issue. Audi chooses to dwell on issues like practicality and performance.

First presented in the US at the Detroit Motor Show in 2007, I’ve been looking at this beauty ever since… Audi claims more power output with lower fuel consumption than any of the gasoline versions currently heading sales in the US thanks to this Diesel engine producing 500 horsepower.

The looks… THE LOOKS… It’s by far the best looking Audi ever built (okay, maybe there’s an R8, … tough one ).

Enjoy these spectacular pics.