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Audi Q7

Manufacturer	Volkswagen AG
Parent company	Volkswagen Group
Production	2006—present
Assembly	Bratislava, Slovakia
Class	Full-size crossover SUV
Body style(s)	5-door SUV
Layout	longitudinal front engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group PL71 platform
Engine(s)	4.2L V8 FSI 3.6L V6 FSI 4.2L V8 TDI 3.0L V6 TDI 6.0L V12 TDI
Transmission(s)	6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	118.2 in (3002 mm)
Length	200.2 in (5085 mm)
Width	78.1 in (1984 mm)
Height	68.3 in (1735 mm)
Kerb weight	4850-5730 lb (2205-2605 kg)
Related	Porsche Cayenne Volkswagen Touareg

The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury crossover SUV produced by German automaker Audi since its unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.

In its name Q7, the "Q" denotes a new family of vehicles for Audi, and the designation "7" marks its placement between the A6 and A8 in Audi's model range.

Overview

The Q7 (internally designated Typ 4L) utilizes a modified version of the Volkswagen Group PL71 platform. Based on the Audi Pikes Peak quattro concept car, the Q7 is designed more for on-road use, and was not meant for serious off-road use where a transfer case is needed. In an off road test through the Australian outback it fared well for a "soft roader", but in a test published in The Sunday Times it was described as "an absolutely useless off-roader".^[1] Although it lacks a low-range transfer case, it has quattro permanent four wheel drive system with a central differential lock, and an adjustable-height air suspension which helps in off road situations.

First generation (2005-)

Features

• Q7 offers a feature marketed as AMI, or Audi Music Interface, to allow user manipulation of an iPod or similar MP3-style player, which can play through the main sound system.
• Q7 was the first Audi model to offer Side Assist, a type of blind-spot detection and warning system.

Engines

0-100 KM/h performance for Q7 3.6 V6 FSI is 8.5s, and for 4.2 V8 FSI is 7.4S.

Safety

Despite its multiple airbags and safety electronics, such as Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), the Q7 scored only four stars out of five () in the Euro NCAP crash test for adult occupant protection.^[2] According to Audi, this was caused by a design error, and has since been fixed in cars manufactured after the test which should allegedly lead to five stars. Official tests to prove this remain to be done as of March 2009.

However in the USA, the Q7 received five out of five stars () from the NHTSA safety test for both front and side impacts. The IIHS awarded the Q7 its Top Safety Pick, with Good ratings in all 14 measured categories of the front and side impact test.^[3]

North American models

It was first released as 2007 model, with Q7 4.2 quattro available at launch.^[4]

Q7 hybrid (2005)

It was a concept vehicle based on Q7. It uses the engine from 4.2 FSI with electric motor to provide 200 N·m (150 lb·ft) extra torque, and nickel-metal hydride battery. It has 0-100 km/h acceleration of 6.8s. The vehicle weighs 2,410 kg (5,300 lb), 140 kg (310 lb) heavier than the petrol counterpart.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[5]

Audi is reportedly going to introduce a hybrid version of the Q7 sometime in the future.^[6] However, low US dollar caused Audi to cease future offering of Q7 hybrid to US market, but stated limited quantities would be available for the commercial market.^[7] Audi's research and development chief, Michael Dick, later announced Q7 hybrid would be produced in limited numbers for test purposes only and that development work would focus on a more advanced lithium-ion battery-based hybrid system for the Q5.^[8]

Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel (2009)

It is a version of 3.0 TDI with selective catalytic reduction. The engine was later used in next generation of Q7 for European market.

US models of 2009 Audi Q7 TDI Premium went on sale in 2009-04 with base MSRP of $50,900 (excluding a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges).^[9]

Q7 4.2 TDI (2007-2009)

The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

Production version went on sale in early summer 2007.^[10]

Q7 V12 TDI (2008-)

The engine was based on the diesel technology from Audi R10 TDI race car, but with larger displacement. The engine was rated at 500 PS (370 kW; 490 hp) and 1,000 N·m (740 lb·ft), making it the most powerful diesel engine, and also the only twelve-cylinder diesel engine, used in any passenger car. It has 0-100 km/h acceleration of 5.5 seconds.^[11]

The concept vehicle originally appeared at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

Originally, Audi announced to build a version for the US market using diesel engines jointly developed with Volkswagen and Mercedes under the label "Bluetec".^[12] Audi was later reported to not be bringing the Q7 V12 TDI to the US market.^[13]

Audi Q7 coastline (2008)

It is a concept version of Q7 V12 TDI with Inuit white interior with wood decoration. The design theme was inspired by luxury yachts.^[14]

The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Geneva Motor Show.^[15]

Lawsuit on the use of the letter Q

In early 2005, Nissan North America Inc. filed a lawsuit against Audi over the use of the letter "Q" as a model name.^[16]

Audi is using the "Q" for the designation of their quattro four-wheel drive system, used in production cars for over twenty-five years (Audi's quattro trademark is actually an umbrella term for several types of four wheel drive systems developed by Torsen, Haldex Traction AB, and Borg-Warner, the latter being used in the Q7). Nissan's Infiniti marque had been using Q as the name for sedans (the Q45) and SUVs (the QX4 and QX56) since 1989.

A settlement between Audi AG and Nissan was reached in late 2006. The agreement stipulates that Audi will only use the Q-prefix for two models, the Q5 and the Q7.

Facelift (2009-)

The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.^[17]

Exterior changes include new front and rear lights which better incorporate LED lighting with optional LED turn signals and daytime running lights, new wheel designs, chrome accents, four new paint colors, and updated body styling in the front and rear.

A redesigned interior includes a new instrument cluster, new leather seating, ambient door lighting, new interior color choices, new trim, and the third generation MMI control system.^[18]

Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro (2009-)

Front and rear views of an Audi Q7 TDI demonstration vehicle at Washington, D.C.

It is a version of 3.0 TDI with selective catalytic reduction. CO2 emission was reduced to 234 g/km with Euro 6 certification, but the vehicle is 50 kg (110 lb) heavier. It's been reported that at 72.5MPH the Audi Q7 TDI will get 29+ miles per gallon (diesel).

US models

The vehicles were introduced in 2009 as 2010 models. Available models include 3.6 FSI quattro, 4.2 FSI quattro, 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro.

Changes include standard LED taillights with available LED turn signals and daytime running lights, SIRIUS traffic system.

Production version went on sale in September 2009.^[19]

Engines

Transmission

All models include 6-speed Tiptronic transmission as standard. No manual transmission is offered.

Marketing

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro appeared in a How It's Made segment premiered in Science Channel.^[20]

It also appeared in the action film Wanted as one of the several cars that the assasin group The Fraternity use.

See also

• Audi Duo

References

• Juergen Zoellter. "Preview: Audi Q7". Car and Driver (March 2006): 55.  

External links

• Audi Q7 microsite
• Audi UK Q7 page
• carsguide.news.com.au
• TimesOnline article
• Q7Forums.com - First Community dedicated to the Audi SUV
• http://www.overlander.com.au/vehicle_tests/index/full/279/Q-Ship