Click the Q7 4.2 TDI for a high-res gallery
At the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, Audi made a big show of the Q7 TDI that they were planning to introduce to the U.S. market. That particular model is coming late this year or early next and will be powered by a 3.0L V-6 diesel. At the same show the Germans also showed a concept version of the Q7 powered (or should I say torqued?) by a new 6.0L V-12 TDI paying homage to the success of the R10 TDI Le Mans race car. Last month at the Geneva Motor Show, Audi announced that the V-12 Q7 would be going into limited production later this year.
In between those two diesel extremes lies a third Q7 TDI that's been available in Europe for the past year. This third model uses Audi's 4.2L V-8 diesel and it won't be coming to the U.S. market. However, thanks to the kind folks at Honeywell, we had a chance to sample a Q7 4.2 TDI recently in and around Ann Arbor. Like fuel and exhaust system supplier Bosch, Honeywell has a vested interest in promoting diesel adoption in the U.S. market. Honeywell is the owner of the turbocharger manufacturer formerly known as Garret and they supply turbos for many of the diesel engines currently on the market. To help promote the technology they have a fleet of current European diesel models that they are exposing to American media including this Q7. Read on after the jump to find out how the Q7 TDI comported itself.
Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
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The Q7 is a large SUV that shares its basic platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne although the Audi has a longer wheelbase than the other two and is the only one that offers a third row of seating. Anyone who's been following my ramblings here and on Autoblog for the last couple of years knows I'm not particularly a fan of SUVs, especially bigger ones like the Q7 which is very nearly as large as a Chevy Tahoe. The Audi is within an inch or two of the Tahoe in length and width, although it isn't as tall. Unlike the clearly truck-like Tahoe, the Audi has a more rounded appearance in keeping with it's lower slung siblings. The enormous and somewhat overwrought grille that "graces" all the current Audis looks particularly overbearing on this model.
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Given Audi's premium sporting pretensions, the heavily bolstered seats are similar to what might be found in a BMW or even a Porsche. For those so inclined, the auto box can be manually manipulated via paddle shifters on the back side of the steering wheel or by tapping the shift lever fore and aft (after first pushing it to the right to engage manual mode). The transmission is more responsive than most paddle shift automatics, but frankly the whole process seems rather pointless in this type of vehicle. Better to just put it in Drive and be done with it.
The Q7 is equipped with all the usual techno gadgetry including GPS navigation (unfortunately only equipped with European maps on this example), auto dual zone climate control, heated leather seats, backup camera etc. One useful feature on a big vehicle like this is the parking proximity sensors. When maneuvering in tight quarters, sensors at the corners trigger a audible warning along with visual indicators on the nav screen telling you which corner is about to hit something.
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While the Q7 is roughly the same length and width as a Tahoe, it's several inches lower with a more sporting looking roof-line. For those that like to get some sun while they motor along, the Q7 offers a super-size panoramic sunroof. The main aperture covers the first two rows and the front half of the glass pops up and slides back over the back portion. A second smaller opening sits over the cargo/third row area and pops up but doesn't slide. The second row seats can be adjusted fore-aft and reclined. The test Q7 didn't have the third row seat installed so I can't comment on that. The cargo area has some rails embedded in the floor with tie down hooks that can slid back and forth.
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Pressing the pedal makes this Q7 get up and go in a hurry. This is one shockingly fast SUV that will outrun most cars at a fraction of the size and mass. For those that need towing capability, the Q7 4.2 has plenty with a capacity of 7,700lbs. That puts it 1,500lbs above the Tahoe hybrid which is touted as having exceptional hauling capability for a hybrid.
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In the meantime, the U.S. will definitely get the 3.0L TDI Q7 and we'll be trying one of those out soon. For those in Europe who crave a really fast and reasonably efficient luxury SUV, the 4.2L is a fine choice. We probably won't ever see this engine in the U.S. market given the oncoming fuel economy regs. But it was fun to drive for a few days. For those that don't need such a large vehicle (which is likely the vast majority of us) and like Audis, the brand will be introducing a new, smaller SUV very shortly. We can't tell you about that one just yet, but as they say patience is a virtue.
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Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
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