Audi Q7

The Q7 is Audi's first ever SUV
offering with a recent refresh
and a new engine lineup. The
large crossover provides seating
for seven and rides on
Volkswagen's 7L platform.
The design was originally based
on the Audi's Pikes Peak quattro
concept car, and mechanically
the Q7 is similar to both the
Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche
Cayenne.
The base Q7 engine features a
272 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of
torque supercharged 3.0-liter
V6, coupled with a 6-speed
Tiptronic automatic transmission.
This combo will take the Q7 from
a stop to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds
and is rated at 16 city and 22
highway miles per gallon.
For the S-line Q7, the 3.0 TFSI
engine is uprated to 333
horsepower and 325 lb-ft of
torque, but retains the same
fuel economy ratings.
Acceleration to 60 is hasted to
6.9 seconds.
The final engine option is a 3.0-
liter, 225 horsepower, 406
pound-feet of torque V6 turbo-
diesel, or TDI as Audi calls it. The
TDI offering will demand an extra
$4,000 and will boost fuel
efficiency to 17 mpg city, and 25
mpg highway while using the
same 6-speed Tiptronic
automatic and quattro AWD as
the other two engines. The TDI
comes in just slower than the
3.6-liter V6 with an 8.5 second
0-60 time.
Audi has also decided to change
its naming scheme around for its
trim levels, with Premium now
representing the base model,
Premium Plus as mid-grade and
Prestige as the top offering. If
customers opt for the gas-
powered Q7, they can also get
the S-line Prestige model.
Standard across the latest Q7
line you will find a plethora of
features, such as: Servotronic
speed-sensitive steering, eight-
speed Tiptronic automatic
transmission, electronic
differential lock, adaptive air
suspension, front and rear
vented disc brakes, anti-theft
alarm, heated windshield nozzles,
power tailgate, leather seats,
iPod, Blueooth and Sirius radio
connectivity and more.
but if that list isn't enough,
upgrading to the Premium Plus
trim level will add: parking
system with camera, auto-
dimming, power-adjustable and
power-folding heated exterior
mirrors with integrated LED turn
signals, xenon plus headlights
with automatic self-leveling and
integrated LED daytime running
lights, panarama sunroof, driver
memory, Multi Media Interface
system including navigation, voice
control system and an eight-
color driver information display.
To distinguish the two from the
outside, the Premium Plus also
gets more brightwork, including
chromed roof rails.
On the safety front, the three
SUVs come with ABS and EBD-
enhanced four-wheel ventilated
disc brakes, and Audi's Electronic
Stabilization Program. Regardless
of engine choice, the behemoths
are limited to 130 mph top
speeds. The Prestige trim comes
standard with upgraded brakes
for maximum stopping power.
Maximum towing capacity for the
V6 model is 5,500 pounds, with
the TDI and V8 both managing
6,600 lb burdens..