AUDI'S flagship SUV - the mighty Q7 - has been on a health kick and shed the pounds, lost the bulk and looks fitter than ever.

In fact, it would be fair to say the all-new second generation model is likely to make quite an impact in the premium 4x4 sector.

Priced from £50,340 to £53,835 the Q7 is available with just one engine at launch - a 3.0-litre 272PS V6 diesel - although other powertrains will be introduced a little later down the line.

There's a choice from two very richly-equipped trim levels called SE and S line and as is the norm these days, there is a whole host of optional extras on offer.

And while the latest Q7 is new from the ground up, it's the hidden features such as the new platform that really benefit performance and efficiency.

For example, the vehicle is now up to 325kg lighter than the outgoing model on a five-seat model and 240kg less on the standard seven-seater.

And although its length and width have been reduced slightly, the car still offers vast amounts of space for occupants and luggage.

The Q7 certainly looks the part with its large single-frame grille, smart alloys (in a choice of sizes), stunning light clusters with sweeping indicator function, powered tailgate, privacy glass and lots more besides.

Inside the spacious cabin it's impossible not to be wowed by the build-quality, luxurious surroundings and range of premium techno treats and infotainment systems at your disposal.

For example, there is an 8.3-inch fold-down colour display system with high-resolution graphics, Audi Drive Select to switch between the various driving modes, a brilliant pitch-perfect sound system which is compatible with all modern media devices, Bluetooth connectivity, the stunning virtual cockpit (first seen on TT models), a third row of seats that are electronically raised or folded flat to the boot floor and depending on the spec selected, there is a four-zone deluxe electronic climate control system.

Options include the likes of a Bose surround system with 19 speakers, a panoramic sunroof, park assist, all-wheel steering for improved stability, agility and comfort, Audi active lane assist and Matrix LED headlights that are linked to the sat nav system to maximise illumination yet not dazzle other drivers.

In fact it would be fair to say that I have just touched the surface of the list of options and packs available.

So the all-new Q7 certainly looks the part, is packed to bursting with state-of-the-art technology and offers all the versatility that a premium SUV should, but what about performance?

Once again the Q7 is a winner on all counts. In the past, the Q7 has been viewed as more premium comfort rather than premium performance, but that has all changed. For the new model has one of the highest power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios in its class and that translates into performance stats such as a 0-62 sprint time of 6.5 seconds and top speed of 145mph.

The new engine generates 11 per cent more power yet emits 27.5 per cent less carbon emissions which brings readings down as low as 153g/km and a claimed 47.9mpg on a combined run.

We tried out three models on a lengthy road route through the glorious New Forest and onto faster-moving motorways and although they had varying trim levels, different kit and some were fitted with more bells and whistles - they all impressed in their handling, comfort levels, driving dynamics, versatility and ease of use.

Audi is still targeting the likes of the Range Rover and BMW X5 with this new Q7 because it still has all the luxury one would expect, but the engineers have certainly upped the ante when it comes to handling.

The adaptive air suspension makes light work of any bumpy surfaces and the options on the Drive Select feature means you can adopt a comfort, allroad, efficiency, auto, individual or dynamic setting to suit your mood and circumstances.

The car is deceptively agile whilst weaving through busy towns and along narrow streets, but when the open road shows itself, the Q7 laps up the challenge. It eats up the Tarmac and seems to glide across the surfaces absorbing all bumps and dips along the way.

Any road, engine or wind noise is kept to an absolute minimum thanks to the car's efficient insulation and all occupants are treated to exceptionally high levels of comfort.

The two rear seats can quickly be set to an upright position and although a tad cramped for adults, they are ideal for children. And storage capacities vary depending on the seating configuration, but range from 770 litres to 1,955 litres.

The Q7 is packed with a whole host of safety features including quattro all-wheel-drive and there are extra add-on packs that can introduce additional systems.

All in all, the new Q7 is a fantastic piece of kit - it's bursting with technology and creature comforts, is an absolute dream to drive and offers highly impressive stats along the way.