[top: The revamped Audi Q7 looks sportier and more modern with tweaks made to the front and rear bumpers, air dam and radiator grille. Also, more LED lighting is used in the headlamps and tail-lamps.]

By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

The swanky Capella Singapore is becoming a hot venue for high-end car events.Rolls-Royce Motor Cars picked it for a preview of the Ghost limousine in April. Then Lexus launched its IS250C coupe-cabriolet in June. Next month, Porsche will introduce its Panamera grand tourer there.

These are all-new models which signal their respective brands' entry into new segments. The Ghost is a 'junior' Roller, the IS250C Lexus' first four-seat hard- top convertible and the Panamera Porsche's first four-door saloon.

Which is why Audi caused a minor stir when it introduced its 'remastered' Q7 at the uber-luxe hotel this week. The car is merely a facelift. And a minor one at that, with changes that are largely cosmetic.

Does the Q7 deserve the star treatment? Probably not.

The venue, however, speaks volume about Audi's ambition to become a serious premium player. In fact, the company intends to overtake BMW and Mercedes-Benz worldwide in the next couple of decades.

Lofty targets, indeed. So perhaps the Capella is as good a launching pad as any.

The facelifted Q7 is a damn sight prettier than the original. Audi has stepped up its use of LED lighting in the headlamps and tail-lamps, softening the bulk of the large SUV and giving it a distinctive nocturnal presence.

But the designers should probably not go further with the decorative illumination. Half a string more of LEDs and the Q7 will look like Santa's sleigh.

The revamped car looks sportier too (a miracle given the vehicle's slab-sided stature), with effective changes made to the front and rear bumpers, the air dam as well as its shiny wok-size radiator grille.

That said, the Q7 was never an ugly SUV to begin with. Despite its dimensions, it has managed not to appear vulgar or outlandish. The update has only enhanced its road presence, giving it a modern lift.

Audi has also spruced up the Q7's interior, throwing in S-Line trim that gives the cabin a slightly sportier and more luxurious ambience. But some might still prefer the cockpits of the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GL.

Beyond visual tweaks, the Q7 remains pretty much the same. The 4.2 all-wheel- drive offers effortless pace, with plenty of torque on tap across a wide power band.

Its beefy V8 produces a rich resonance that often renders the car's wonderful Bose hi-fi irrelevant. You will find yourself revving the direct-injection power plant every so often just for the aural delight.

And you will feel less guilty doing so, too. Because the Q7 is now equipped with a power regenerative system that can produce electricity when the car is coasting or braking. This apparently reduces the reliance on fuel to make electrical power, reducing consumption by up to 0.6 litres per 100km. Consequently, carbon dioxide emission is also cut by 5g per km.

The car, however, continues to behave like a barge on the go, producing more body roll around bends than a caffeinated belly dancer.

Thankfully, the air-suspension system allows you to select a firmer and sportier damping to mitigate things. Even so, the car is best on wide straight stretches.

As before, there is no shortage of space on board. While it can be configured as a seven-seater, the Q7 is most comfy when ferrying five. This way, it has ample stowage for whatever the family needs for a picnic or that drive upcountry.

Other improvements are not so apparent, such as a more solid thump when the doors close, and a slightly better insulation against outside noise when on the fly. All in all, a car that has been refreshed to close the gap between it and its toughest rivals.

Even so, launching it at the Capella is probably overkill.

christan@sph.com.sg

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