Audi Q7

Refimprove|date=May 2008

Infobox Automobile


name = Audi Q7
manufacturer = Audi AG
parent_company = Volkswagen AG
production = 2006—present
class = Full-size SUV
body_style = 5-door SUV
layout = Front engine,
quattro permanent four-wheel drive
related = Porsche Cayenne
Volkswagen Touareg
wheelbase = 118.2 in (3002 mm)
length = 200.2 in (5085 mm)
width = 78.1 in (1984 mm)
platform = Volkswagen Group 7L platform (4L)
height = 68.3 in (1735 mm)
assembly = Zuffenhausen, Germany (engine)
Bratislava, Slovakia (coachwork+final assembly)|weight = 4950 lb (2245 kg)
transmission = 6-speed automatic
engine = 4.2L V8 FSI
3.6L VR6 FSI
4.2L V8 TDI
3.0L V6 TDI
6.0L V12 TDI

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"Fact|date=September 2008 but in a test published in The Sunday Times it was described as "an absolutely useless off-roader". [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article687697.ece Times Online] ] 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 Auto PS|350|0, Auto Nm|440|0 4163 cc V8 and Auto PS|280|0, Auto Nm|360|0 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 Auto PS|240|0 3.0L V6 and in mid-2007 the 4.2 litre Auto PS|331|0 diesel with Auto Nm|760|0 torque known from the Audi A8 was introduced. Audi is reportedly going to introduce a hybrid version of the Q7 in 2008 [ [http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/10/12/audi-says-hybrid-future-depends-u-s-growth/ Audi says hybrid future depends U.S. growth] ]

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 Auto PS|500|0 and Auto Nm|1000|0 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.

Q7 V12 TDI quattro

quattro GmbH is currently developing, and will subsequently produce the most powerful diesel powered SUV in its class. The Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro will be fitted with a V12 TDI (Created by Will Gregg). A world first, this all new diesel engine displaces 6 Litres, generating 368 kW (500 hp), and a massive 1,000 Nm of torque. This is enough to complete the 0-100 km/h dash in 5.5 seconds, making it perform like modern sports cars. [The new Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro: [http://www.audi.com/audi/com/en2/about_audi_ag/news/modelle_services/monthly_summary/The_New_Audi_Q7_V12_TDI_quattro__The_Ultimate_High-Performance_SUV.html quattro GmbH develops "The Ultimate High-Performance SUV] ]

Hybrid version

Audi presented the Audi Q7 Hybrid at the Hanover Motor Show.

Lawsuit on the use of the letter Q

In early 2005, Nissan sued Audi over the use of the letter "Q" as a model name.

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.

afety

Despite its multiple airbags and safety electronics, such as ESP, Q7 scored only four stars out of five in the Euro NCAP crash test. 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. However, official tests to prove this remain to be done as of November 2006.

In the USA, however Q7 got five stars out of five from the NHTSA safety test for both front and side impacts.

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

ee also

* Audi Duo

References

*

External links

* [http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/new_cars/q7.html Audi UK Q7 page]
* [http://www.audi.com/audi/com/en2/about_audi_ag/news/press_echo/Audi_Q7_hybrid___making_a_clean_start.html Audi Q7 Hybrid] .
* [http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,20411308-5003140,00.html carsguide.news.com.au]
* [http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/article687727.ece TimesOnline article]
* [http://q7forums.com Q7Forums.com - First Community dedicated to the Audi SUV]
* [http://www.audiworld.com/news/06/q7-v12-tdi/ Audi announces new V-12 turbodiesel Q7]
* http://www.overlander.com.au/vehicle_tests/index/full/279/Q-Ship