At the front end, the large single-frame
radiator grille has been redesigned. Vertical chrome bars contrast with its
black high-gloss finish. The bumpers too have been restyled. Their lower
section is now painted in a contrasting black or gray, depending on the body
color. The newly integrated underbody protection in the center section of
the bumper has a distinctive ribbed design. As alternatives to the standard
halogen headlights, Audi offers a xenon plus variant and a new adaptive-light
system that integrates not only low-beam, high-beam and a special superhighway
beam but also turning and cornering lights. In conjunction with the xenon
headlights, light-emitting diodes assembled to form U-shaped bands provide
the daytime running lights. The front blinkers are also composed of LEDs
as straight-line arrays, located at the upper edge of the air intakes. The
side view too, with its coupe-like roofline, low window area and tautly curved
body surfaces, reinforces the dynamic look of the Q7. Door moldings have
been modified to add interest. The lightweight alloy wheels are size 7.5
J x 18, the wheels size 235/60. In the V6 vehicles they have seven spokes,
in the V8 versions they have six. At the rear end, the bumper has also been
given two-tone paintwork; the tailgate, which includes a portion of the rear
pillars in an S-shaped contour, has been given a new and distinctively 3D
shape in the vicinity of the license plate bracket. To reduce the weight
of the Q7, the tailgate has been made of aluminum, as have the engine hood
and the fenders. Standard LEDs in the tail lights create a distinctive lighting
pattern. Eleven paint finishes for the Audi Q7 include four new shades: Ibis
White, Graphite Gray, metallic, Teak Brown, metallic, and Orca Black, metallic.
An aluminum exterior package is optionally available from Audi: gleaming
chrome bars in the bumpers and door moldings; the lower portion of the bumpers
is painted in the body color; the center portion of the front apron and the
diffuser are painted in a contrasting shade.
The interior: Room to spare
Thanks to its luxurious 300-centimeter (118.11-inch)
wheelbase within an overall length of 5.09 meters (16.70 feet), the Audi
Q7 has interior room to spare, and the interior flexibility is unrivalled.
The seatbacks in the second row are divided into three fold-down sections
to provide a level cargo floor. This increases the luggage space from a volume
of 775 liters (27.37 cubic feet) to 2,035 liters (71.87 cubic feet). With
the leather upholstery option, the middle seat now has an even more comfortable
contour. Two very useful features are optionally available: either a
longitudinally displaceable second seat row or individual comfort seats that
are separately displaceable. Another available option is a third row for
passengers no taller than 1.60 meters (5.25 feet), combined with an improved
easy entry function. A multitude of detailed improvements in the interior
enhance the elegance and the sense of well-being. The instrument cluster
has been redesigned: the large, round, easily readable instruments are encircled
by metallic frames. Interior lights in the door linings and an inlay on the
passenger side enhance the interior styling. Many details of the control
elements have been restyled and also enhanced by chrome elements. The selection
of interior colors and materials is also new. Upholstery fabrics are available
in black and light gray; leather upholstery additionally also in Para Brown,
Savannah Beige and Cardamon Beige. Standard inlays are finished in matt black.
In optional design packages, aluminum and wood finishes are used.
The power train: Performance and efficiency
The Audi Q7 is available with six powerful and highly efficient direct injection
engines, two of them gasoline-powered and four diesel engines, including
the world's most powerful diesel SUV, the Audi Q7 V12 TDI. Their power is
transmitted via a convenient and fast-shifting six-speed tiptronic to the
quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which distributes it between the axles
with slightly more than half to the rear. The 3.0 TDI puts out 176 kW (240
bhp) and delivers as much as 550 Nm between 2,000 and 2,250 rpm, yet on the
EU cycle it consumes only 9.1 liters / 100 km (25.85 US mpg). The optionally
available 3.0 TDI clean diesel even consumes 0.2 liters (0.05 US gallons)
less. Despite highly complex exhaust gas recirculation and the resulting
world's cleanest diesel technology, it consumes just 8.9 liters/100 km (26.43
US mpg). It meets the strict LEV II Bin 5 US standard and already complies
with the Euro 6 limits announced for 2014. The technology of the TDI clean
diesel is highly complex. An advanced version of the common rail injection
system with 2,000 bars of pressure, new combustion chamber sensors and a
high-performance exhaust recirculating system ensure a highly efficient
combustion process. An innovative DeNOx catalytic converter reduces the remaining
nitrogen oxides. Just upstream of it, a pump injects an additive named AdBlue
into the hot exhaust flow, where this solution decomposes into ammonia, which
splits the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water. Audi partners
replenish the additive during regular maintenance servicing. In the Q7 4.2
TDI too, fuel consumption has been drastically reduced - from 11.1 (21.19
US mpg) to 9.9 liters per 100 km (23.76 US mpg). Yet the V8 diesel is more
powerful: with an output of 250 kW (340 bhp) and a torque of 760 Nm, it develops
enormous propulsive power. This maximum torque is available in the range
from 1,750 to 3,000 rpm. At Audi, efficiency and dynamics go hand in hand.
That's also the case in gasoline engines. The 3.6 FSI, a V6 with a small
cylinder angle, has a power output of 206 kW (280 bhp) and delivers 360 Nm
between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm. Its average fuel consumption is 12.1 liters
per 100 km (19.44 US mpg). The 4.2 FSI, a V8, delivers 257 kW (350 bhp) and
440 Nm at 3,500 rpm. Its fuel consumption is 12.7 liters/100 km (18.52 US
mpg). A novel technology from the Modular Efficiency Platform further improves
fuel efficiency in all the engines: the recovery system, which during braking
and coasting phases converts mechanical energy into electric energy and
buffer-stores it in the battery. It reduces CO2 emissions by up to 5 g/km
(8.05 g/mile).
The chassis: Safe and sporty
In its suspension technology too the
Audi Q7 is exceptional. As a customer option, Audi equips the Q7 with adaptive
air suspension - a pneumatic suspension system that operates in conjunction
with an electronic shock absorber control, varies the ground clearance at
five different levels, and lets the driver select three driving modes: comfort,
automatic and dynamic. In its road handling the Q7 excels in its sporty,
highly responsive precision. Off-road, it provides a superior ride on widely
varying terrains. The choice of wheels ranges from 18 inches to the 10 J
x 21 top version with 295/35 tires. Ten different designs are available,
including two very elegant, high-luster, bicolor versions. Large brake discs
provide superb deceleration - with 18-inch diameters front and rear. Optionally
available in the eight-cylinder models are carbon-fiber ceramic disk brakes
which further enhance the dynamic character of this performance SUV: they
are lighter than their steel equivalents, extremely abrasion-resistant and
virtually fading-free. They achieve high driving performance and ensure short
braking distances. The diameters of the ceramic discs are 420 millimeters
(16.54 inches) in front and 370 millimeters (14.57 inches) at the rear. The
calipers are black and adorned with the wording "Audi ceramic". A total of
24 pistons are used on the front and rear axles.
The equipment: Luxury and high-tech
The Q7 comes with a splendid range of standard equipment. The speed-dependent
servotronic steering system is standard, as is a double floor in the cargo
area complete with a storage compartment and a dirt tray; there is also a
roof rack, an automatic air conditioning system, and an MMI radio operating
system complete with a CD audio player and eight loudspeakers. The option
program includes luxury features such as the remote key and four-zone automatic
air conditioning. Another high-end option is the climate-controlled comfort
seat, which can keep the body warm or cool it by means of small fans.
Particularly dynamic Q7 drivers may wish to consider one of two other quality
option packages. The S line exterior package enhances the styling with details
such as distinctive bumpers and a solid paint finish. The S line sports package
includes a black interior, sport seats with Alcantara leather or Verano leather
upholstery, aluminum trim (optionally in piano lacquer finish or birch grain
wood), special exterior colors, 20-inch wheels, and a firmer setup for the
steel spring suspension or the adaptive air suspension. The Q7 also offers
many intelligent solutions for the practical needs of everyday use - such
as an electric luggage space cover, a reversible floor mat, a set of luggage
rails, a removable ski bag, and a moveable storage box. The options program
includes separation grids, an interior bicycle stand, various roof-mounted
carriers, a distinctive off-road styling package, and a pivoting trailer
hitch: this powerful SUV can tow up to 3.5 metric tons. In the infotainment
field, Audi provides a carefully differentiated selection of modules. The
three optional systems are part of the new generation of Audi devices. The
top-of-the-line version integrates a hard drive for navigation, music and
telephone data, a high-resolution color monitor and 3D map graphics, a DVD
player as well as voice control. It can be expanded into a luxury media center
with features such as a Bluetooth telephone, a TV tuner, a digital radio
tuner, plus rear seat entertainment. A very special highlight is the advanced
sound system from Bang & Olufsen with its ten channels, 505 watts of
power and 14 loudspeakers. The range of optional equipment is rounded off
by technologies from the luxury class. The radar-supported adaptive cruise
control regulates the speed and the distance to the preceding vehicle in
a range from 30 to 200 km/h (18.64 to 124.27 mph) by acceleration and
deceleration. If a threat is detected, the integrated Audi braking guard
warns the driver at two levels. From a speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph), Audi
lane assist helps the driver stay in lane by means of a camera that recognizes
the lane lines. Audi side assist ensures safe lane changes above 30 km/h
(18.64 mph) with the aid of a radar system that monitors the traffic pattern
within 70 meters (229.66 feet) behind the vehicle. Finally, the Audi parking
system advanced assists parking by means of a rearview camera and reference
lines on the onboard monitor.
The world's strongest diesel SUV: The Audi Q7
V12 TDI
Even when it was first rolled out, the Audi Q7 V12 TDI, the world's strongest
diesel SUV, had a uniquely distinctive look resulting from its large air
intakes. The new version features modifications to the interior and the rear
end. The V12 diesel, with a 6-liter (6,000 cc) engine closely related to
that of the R10 TDI racing car - a triple Le Mans winner - delivers 368 kW
(500 bhp) and develops a torque of 1,000 Nm between 1,750 and 3,250 rpm.
Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.5 seconds and a capped
top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph) equal the driving performance of a powerful
sports car. Despite these impressive performance data, the V12 diesel gets
by on an average of 11.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (20.82 US mpg). Its luxurious
standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, a Bose sound system, and many
additional features.
AUDI AG sold a total of 1,003,469 cars in 2008
and thus achieved its 13th consecutive record year. The Company posted new
record figures with revenue of 34.2 billion and profit before tax of
3.2 billion. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany),
Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). Aurangabad
in India saw the start of CKD production of the Audi A6 at the end of 2007
and of the Audi A4 in early October 2008. The Company is active in more than
100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include Automobili
Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH
in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 58,000 people worldwide, including
46,500 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests around 2 billion
each year in order to sustain the company's technological lead embodied in
its "Vorsprung durch Technik" slogan. Audi plans to significantly increase
the number of models in its portfolio by 2015 to 40. The AUDI brand celebrates
its 100th birthday in 2009. The company was founded by August Horch in Zwickau
on July 16, 1909; he named it AUDI after the Latin translation of his surname
("hark!"). |