Audi Q7: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 23/8/2005

At long last, Audi is weighing into the SUV market segment, unveiling the sizeable Q7 sports utility vehicle.

Making its first public appearance at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, the major features of the new German off-roader include seating for seven occupants, a powerful range of engines and a host of advanced driving aids that promise to make the beaten track feel far more civilised.

The Q7's exterior styling adheres to the Audi design template, and the 6- and 8-cylinder engines augmented by advanced driving aids are expected to give the vehicle the performance and driving dynamics of a sports car, while off-road Audi asserts it will redefine the category benchmark.

Creators of the well-known 'quattro' four wheel drive system, Audi is serious about the Q7's offroad ability, saying that with its advanced technology it can tackle on any road and in all conditions.

As well as a Torsen differential apportioning torque between the front and rear axles at all times, the smooth-looking Q7 includes an ESP, or electronic stability programme, that includes numerous new functions such as hill descent assist.

A special offroad mode optimises brake performance and traction on loose surfaces, and there's even a trailer stabilisation system that reduces the risk of fishtailing by means of targeted brake intervention.

It won't be mistaken for a BMW X5 or a Mercedes M-Class, as the new five-metre-long Q7 has been styled to keep it within the Audi family shape, also making use of the overt single-frame grille and bulging wheel arches which are now trademark features of the German company's products.

The sweep of the front section and the powerful rear end with its sharply sloping D-pillars fashion a coupé-like silhouette from some angles, and equally typical of the current Audi design language are the shoulder line and dynamic line, which define the side section.

The paintwork option of two contrasting body colours can create a two-tone look for customers who want it, and 11 basic colours are available, three of which are reserved exclusively for the Q7 model.

Expected to arrive in Australian Audi dealerships in the third quarter of 2006, Audi Q7 customers will have the choice of two powerful engines: the new 4.2-litre V8 with FSI petrol direct injection develops 257kW (350 bhp) and achieves a maximum torque of 440 Newton-metres.

Another engine options is the 3.0 TDI 6-cylinder engine, which features a latest-generation common rail injection system that uses piezo inline injectors. This results in 171kW (233 bhp) of power and substantial torque of 500Nm.

At this stage no manual transmission option has been proposed, with transmission for both engine versions coming from the 6-speed tiptronic gearbox.

All Q7 models will be fitted as standard with quattro permanent four-wheel drive. Its Torsen centre differential conveys power to all four wheels, on-road and offroad, achieving maximum traction and lateral stability – the prerequisites for optimum driving dynamics and safety.

This 'quattro' drive concept has become firmly established over the past 25 years, featuring both in more than two million series-production Audi models and in countless victories on the racetrack and in rallies.

Like the Audi RS 4, the Audi Q7 features the latest-generation Torsen differential, with a standard torque split of 40:60 (front : rear).

Audi says the driver benefits (also thanks to virtually balanced axle load distribution) from even better agility and steering precision that remains practically free of torque steer.

The Audi Q7's chassis is comprised of numerous aluminium components, including independent wheel suspension with double wishbones at the front and rear, while steel-spring suspension and twin-tube shock absorbers are designed for sporty driving and superior comfort, even offroad

The rear spring and shock absorber unit has been integrated in a less common form - tilted or angled - which helps reduces the vehicle's overall height and creates more room at the rear.

Adaptive air suspension will also be an option for buyers, electronically controlling the damping system to ensure sporty handling and supreme ride comfort. There's also a dynamic roll stabilisation system that helps to reduce body movements about the longitudinal axis.

Variable ground clearance is another features of the Q7. Starting at 180 millimetres and extending to 240mm in lift mode will ensure that some of the most challenging terrain can be negotiated. The offroad mode, with 205mm ground clearance and adapted damper control, allows cross-country driving.

With seating for seven occupants, the Q7 is far from diminutive, its 3002mm wheelbase longer than its competitors, which include the VW Touareg, Mercedes-Bez M-Class and BMW X5. With a length of 5,086 and a width of 1,983mm, the Q7 takes the lead in the SUV contest. Audi assures us that occupants will benefit from the comfort of incomparable spaciousness, where some 28 seating and loading configurations are possible in the luxury German 4x4.

Audi also claims to have the best occupant legroom and bootspace in its class: when both rear seat rows are folded flat a total of 2,035 litres of cargo space is available, while 775 litres is on offer when the rearmost seat row is folded flat, turning the Q7 into a 5-seater vehicle.

Inside, the Q7 is equipped as standard with the innovative MMI operating concept that can be extended in two stages to include a variety of additional functions. In short, the MMI system is a visual set of menus that deal with the car's many functions, including satellite navigation, entertainment and phone call options.

Audi says that on board the performance SUV, a number of innovative driver assistance systems, introduced for the first time in standard production, are available on request: Audi side assist with radar technology for lane-changing manoeuvres and the advanced parking system with optical/acoustic guidance and rear-view camera. Other practical features, such as an adjustable loading sill (lowered to enable heavy objects to be loaded), give the Q7 just the right amount of new tricks take some of the sheen away from its rivals.

The Audi Q7 will be available to order from 12 September 2005. The first deliveries will be made in the first quarter of 2006. The basic price for the Q7 3.0 TDI in Germany is € 48,900.