A BIK friendlier version of the new Audi Q7 will arrive in UK showrooms this autumn promising nearly 50mpg and CO2 emissions of as little as 148g/km.

Audi has achieved these figures by retuning the Q7’s 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine down to 218PS from the 272PS of the launch model, itself a featherweight construction that saw it jettison up to 325kg in weight compared with its predecessor.

This weight loss comes thanks to Audi’s extensive use of hybrid aluminium and steel construction and allows a healthy performance to be maintained with a 0-62mph time of just 7.3 seconds and a potential top speed of 134mph.

Company car customers wanting the most tax efficient model will choose the SE specifying a smaller 18-inch wheel as an alternative to keep consumption and emissions at a minimum of a claimed 49.6mpg with emissions of 148g/km.

This equates to a first year tax charge of just 28% producing a BIK of £14, 294. That means a company car driver on a 20% income tax band will have just £2,859 to pay while those on 40% tax will pay no more than £5,718. Fuel BIK will be £1,238 and £2,475 respectively.

One of the highlights of its optional driver assistance systems is an evolution of adaptive cruise control incorporating a traffic Jam Assistant where the Q7 can even take over steering duties on marked roads if traffic is moving at below 37mph.

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The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro 218PS is available in SE and S line specification priced from £47,755 OTR, and is due with its first UK customers in October.