GENTLE GIANT

Here’s why the Audi Q7 facelift reminds us of a very large breed of man’s best friend

- Rivan RS

I was walking through Bandra in Mumbai the other day when I had the pleasure of meeting a massive Saint Bernard. His size notwithstanding, I gathered up my courage and this gentle giant of a canine allowed me to pet him. He did become a bit attached to me as I pestered the person who was walking him with questions. ‘What’s his name? Is this weather too warm for him? How much does he weigh?’ The last question came up as I was trying to get into my car and drive away. Hulk (as I found out he was named) became fond enough of the scratches and pets that he refused to budge from the door.

As I tried and failed to move this 120-kg bear of a dog — immortalised in my memory in those old Tom and Jerry cartoons where the Saint Bernard rescues Tom from the snow and force-feeds him brandy — I realised that he served as a rather apt analogy for Audi’s latest Q7. Big, dependable and benign — though if you poke it, it’ll be a fearsome thing. Sure, the Q7 does look more squared-out and geometrical now, especially with the sharper cut yet larger LED headlamps. That large grille with the vertical slats does remind me of a Saint Bernard’s snout, I have to say.

While there’s no doubt it’ll be recognised as a Q7, with its large, long and bulky silhouette, Audi has done a good job of keeping the design fresh. I would pick a different set of alloy wheels from Audi’s accessories bin, as the 19-inch ones that come standard are too plain for my taste. The rear is also tastefully updated with slimmer tail-lights, a slightly re-contoured tailgate and two strips of chrome.