Has Audi started testing the SQ7 in India?

While the Audi SQ7 is yet to make its global debut, it seems  that Audi has already commenced its testing in India. A completely undisguised test mule of the new Audi Q7 was recently spotted undergoing trials in Mumbai, though some of the signs in the spy shots indicate that the car might actually be the performance-oriented version of the mega SUV, expected to be christened SQ7.

Import data shows that Audi imported an SQ7 to India in the last month for testing purposes, though the car hadn’t been spotted as of yet. The only indications of this specific test mule being the SQ7 are the quad exhaust pipes, which gives us a hint of the car’s spirited character. The wheels and brakes however, seem similar to those found in the standard car, which puts a question mark over the identity of this SUV.

The Audi SQ7 is based on the same MLB-Evo platform used in the standard model. While the car imported to India houses a 4.0-litre V8 TDI diesel engine under the hood, the SQ7 will also get a 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engine, which is used in a bunch of other Audi RS models. Power output of both the models is expected to be anywhere between 500 to 600 horsepower. The Audi SQ7 will compete with other performance-oriented SUVs like the BMW X5M and the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG.