Audi->ke14 is already developing the next-generation Q7 SUV->ke1083, but it looks like the company is preparing one more surprise before that in the form of an e-tron version for the large SUV. Audi Australia managing director, Andrew Doyle, confirmed to Car Advice that the "e-tron will be rolled out across all the models now."

This news comes as a huge surprise, considering the company just recently dropped the R8 e-tron. Doyle said that the R8 e-tron wasn't a major thing for the Australian market, but that the e-tron line will launch "down under" with the A3 and Q7 models. He also confirmed that the Q7 e-tron will be offered for this generation, not the upcoming one set to arrive in 2015.

One thing he refused to comment about was what hybrid powertrain will the Q7 e-tron use. We know the A3 e-tron will combine a 147-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a 75kW electric motor. We can almost guarantee that drivetrain will not make its way into the Q7, as it is way too underpowered to drive the large SUV.

There was also no confirmation on just how far the Q7 e-tron will make it around the world, particularly to the U.S.

Click past the jump to read more about the standard Audi Q7.

Audi Q7

Audi decided to refresh the Q7 for 2014, with a larger grille, updated headlights, and a new range of colors and options.

The 2014 Audi Q7 is offered with a choice of three engines: a base 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 that develops a stout 280 horsepower, a more powerful 3.0 supercharged V-6 engine upgraded to deliver 333 horsepower and a diesel version powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged TDI with an output of 240 horsepower.

The model is priced from $47,700.