Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle (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 utilizes a modified version of the Volkswagen Group 7L platform, the 4L. 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"[citation needed] 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.

Engines

Audi's 350PS (345hp/257kW), 440N·m (325lb·ft) 4163 cc V8 and 280PS (276hp/206kW), 360N·m (266lb·ft) V6 3596 cc petrol engines, both with FSI technology, are offered. Interestingly, Q7 using either engine has the same 0 - 100 km/h performance.

Two diesel options are available; a 240PS (237hp/177kW) 3.0L V6 and in mid-2007 the 4.2 litre 331PS (326hp/243kW) diesel with 760N·m (561lb·ft) torque known from the Audi A8 was introduced. Audi is reportedly going to introduce a hybrid version of the Q7 in 2008[2]

To underline the racing success of its diesel engined Le Mans-winning R10 racer, Audi presented a concept-version of the car with a new V12 TDI Q7 at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. It uses piezo fuel injectors like the 2007 Mercedes E320 CDI. The twin-turbodiesel six-litre engine generates 500PS (493hp/368kW) and 1,000N·m (738lb·ft) of torque, making it the most powerful diesel engine, and also the only twelve-cylinder diesel engine, used in any passenger car. The diesel can pull the Q7 from rest to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.