MUNICH, GERMANY—Audi is having a bit of an SUV renaissance lately. Over the past 18 months, it has brought out a new electric Q6 and replaced the midsize Q5, and later this summer we'll get to see the Q9, a full-size leviathan with the Escalade in its sights. But today it's the turn of an all-new version of the Q7, and the North America-only SQ7, both of which go on sale later this year for model year 2027.

The standard Q7 will come to the US with a twin-turbo 2.9 L V6 that generates 429 hp (320 kW) and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm). Meanwhile, the SQ7 borrows the 591 hp (441 kW), 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) V8 as found under the hood of the RS7. But there's no plug-in hybrid version slated as far as we know.

Both models use an eight-speed automatic transmission (ZF's very capable 8HP) and all-wheel drive. Audi says these are the quickest-accelerating Q7 and SQ7s it has made, and it also says they should be much better to drive, too. Standard Q7s will ride on steel springs or can option the adaptive air suspension that's standard on the SQ7—this gets an optional third mode that lowers the car by more than an inch (30 mm).

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Formula 1 held its annual race on the streets of Monte Carlo this past weekend. The event predates the sport—the first Monaco Grand Prix was held in 1929 on a layout that isn't too different from the one used today.

Over the years, the buildings have changed, crash barriers appeared, the swimming pool section grew, and the cars eventually got too big and fast to race each other properly on the tight confines of a circuit that one world champion described as "riding a bicycle in your living room." But nestled by the Mediterranean, surrounded by super yachts, F1's least-good race is also its most famous and glamorous. After their home Grands Prix, it's the one many drivers most want to win.

Overtaking here is virtually impossible; to see race cars do that around the principality, you'll want to tune into Formula E's visits there. So qualifying on Saturday, which sets the grid order for Sunday's race, was more important than usual. Everyone expected pole to go to one of the two Ferraris. And for the first time this season, the cars raced completely flat-out; with no long straights and plenty of braking zones, the cars were not energy-limited for once this season.

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It's an election year, and that means politicians are putting in extra work to pander to special interest groups they think will help them cross the finish line. If you're looking to be elected in Michigan, there aren't many interests more special than the automotive industry, and a good way to get the industry on your side is by going after the thing it fears the most: China.

Now, if a pair of lawmakers get their way, Chinese-badged vehicles wouldn't just be restricted from sale or import in the US, they'd also be banned from entering the country, even for a simple day trip from Canada or Mexico.

Moves to protect the US auto industry are nothing new, and they're popular across party lines. Former President Biden added an additional 100 percent import tariff on all Chinese-made cars during his term and then had the Department of Commerce draw up new rules—later implemented by the Trump administration—that banned the import of connected cars manufactured by companies owned by or with links to the Chinese government, starting in 2027.

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