Audi Q7 e-tron photos revealed

Audi has released photos of the new Audi Q7 e-tron, a hybrid version of its high-end SUV.

Designed to compete with the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the Q7 e-tron will use some of the same technology and should return similar fuel economy. The Q7 e-tron has been announced as part of Audi's wider goal of reducing its CO2 emissions – something it's already slashed by 20% in just six years.

The Q7 can travel for up to 34 miles under electric power alone. But when combined with the conventional engine (a frugal 3.0-litre V6 diesel) the range rises to an impressive 876 miles. The car will return a claimed 166mpg and emits just 50g/km of C02. In addition, the stated 0-62mph time is just six seconds.

All around the car, weight reduction has been used to improve efficiency. But it's still a luxury model and can be fitted with Audi's characteristic range of upgrades. The entry-level version has conventional suspension, but others boast electronically controlled adaptive air suspension. A whopping 2,075 litres of boot space is available with the seats folded down, so this is still a practical SUV.

The e-tron's river aids are impressive, with high-end models boasting a huge amount of Audi technology. The car can build a picture of the road up to 1.9 miles in advance and it can practically drive itself in stop-start traffic. Speed can be automatically adjusted when entering built-up areas or when the speed limit changes.