The Audi Q7 crossover is about to receive a much-needed facelift. The luxury crossover will lose about 650lbs. thanks to a solid aluminum chassis. On the back of huge sales numbers for both the Q7 and Q5, Audi plans on ramping up production for both models. The Q5 sold 155,000 Q5's last year and the Q7 sold 47,000 units globally. Speaking to Automobile, Audi chairman Ruper Stadler said "There is no doubt... that crossovers are still selling like hotcakes even though the trend seems to be shifting toward more compact models."

The car mag also reports that the vehicles will run a fuel-efficient 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 motor. They will burn 20% less fuel than the current supercharged version of that engine. More efficient engines will include a 250hp turbo-diesel V6 and a plug-in hybrid that combines Audi's trusty 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 100hp electric motor. The luxury crossover will run on the same platform as the VW Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne. The lightweight Q7 is expected to launch around late 2013.