Audi Q7
Audi Q7 ( 2005-2009)
The Audi Q7 is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) of the vehicle manufacturer Audi, which was presented to the public in September 2005 at the IAA. It is based on the Audi Pikes Peak Quattro study, which was presented in 2003 at the Detroit Motor Show. The Q7 is based on the platform of "E " Group models VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne and built in partnership with these at Volkswagen Slovakia in Bratislava (Slovakia).
Features
The Q7 has a permanent all-wheel drive ( quattro ) with a torque distribution of 40:60 ( front: rear axle). A third row of seats, which is approved for a maximum of 1.60 meters tall people, is optionally available. This gives the Q7 seven seats (By default: five). Access to the third row is a bit awkward, as the seat / can not be completely folded away the bench seat in the second row of seats, but only their back. If desired, the second -row seats with two individual seats can be ordered in combination with a center console, which reduces the maximum number of people on six or four (without third-row seats ).
The missing gear reduction which the road preferable engine and transmission design and the self-supporting body with independent wheel suspension make the Q7 less suitable for hard off-road use. Even though the very large but shallow trunk restricts the variability of the Q7.
The length of the vehicle dominates the European competitors, including the related models of VW and Porsche around 30 cm.
The testing of the first prototype began in December 2004, the development of the model was completed by mid- 2005.
Special Features
The list of optional extras for the Q7 includes, among other things, the adaptive cruise control system called Adaptive Cruise Control ( ACC), the adaptive air suspension called air suspension, dynamic cornering light or a lane change assistant, which warns the driver when changing lanes in front of vehicles that are located in the blind spot rear view mirror ( Side Assist ). There is also an optional Park Distance Control, which has, among other things, a rear view camera. The reversing sensors are fitted as standard. In addition, the Q7 is one of the first cars that can be equipped with a Bluetooth car phone with SIM access profile (from production week 34/2006 ) rather than the simple Bluetooth speakerphone. For the Q7 V12 TDI also a carbon-ceramic brake system is on offer.
Awards
On 10 November 2005 the Q7 was awarded the Golden Steering Wheel in the class of SUV. The readers Best Cars of 2006, the magazine Auto, Motor und Sport, the Q7 came second in his class. Euro NCAP When the Q7 received four out of five stars.
Motors
Since September 2005, the Q7 is available with a six-cylinder diesel engine and an eight-cylinder gasoline engine. In early 2006, followed by a 3.6 -liter six- cylinder petrol engine in the first half of 2007, a 4.2 - liter V8 TDI and the end of 2008, a V12 diesel engine. All engines are equipped as standard with a six - speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic function.
The announced for 2008 Hybrid version based on the 4.2 - liter petrol engine will not go into production because the manufacturer estimates the demand to be too low.
In the spring of 2009, a very visually appealing facelift was performed. At the same time the 4.2l TDI engine was revised and came to 250 KW (340 hp ) instead of the previous 240 kW (326 hp ) and a reduced consumption ( 9.9 l/100km instead of the previous 11.1 l/100km ). As transmission also came the 6-speed Tiptronic used, which was replaced by the 8-speed Tiptronic during the year 2010.
In July 2010, the engine range has been converted. Has been completely revised the 3.0 TDI: He makes as previously 176 kW ( 240 hp), but consumes 1.7 liters per 100 km less than before (old model 9.1 l, new 7.4 l). The Clean Diesel version of the 3.0 TDI diesel engine achieved with a DeNOx catalyst to continue the Euro 6 standard and was by 0.5 liters (previously 8.9 liters ) fuel efficient. In the petrol there are now two new entry-level engine: the 3- liter V6 gasoline engine with supercharging will be available in two power levels of 200 kW ( 272 hp ) and 245 kW ( 333 hp). They will replace the 3.6 -liter V6 and the eight-cylinder engine. The consumption was on average 10.7 liters per 100 km (predecessor: 3.6 FSI 12.1 l and 12.7 l 4.2 FSI ) can be reduced. The new engines are also more fuel efficient through the use of a brake energy recovery system, a start-stop system, and the new 8- speed automatic transmission. The remaining engines also get the new eight-stage automatic transmission. As the vehicles have been in all engine variants permanent all-wheel drive ( quattro ).
Since November 2010 there is also a new entry-level engine. The 3.0 TDI was doing throttled to 150 kW ( 204 hp). Thus, the starting price for this basic model falls around 2500 euros and a fuel consumption of 7.2 liters per 100 km; CO2 emissions is 189 g / km. The acceleration is given as 9.1 s to 100.
Rear view
Interior
Audi Q7 V12 TDI ( 2009-2012 )
Criticism
The ADAC presented in July 2008 established a construction defect, the extremely vulnerable in the event of a collision with a small car whose occupants. In Q7 two longitudinal beams are installed, the nearly undeformed in the other car bore themselves, because they are both very strong and on the other hand not the front connected by a suitably stable crossmember. Specifically, would the occupants of the small car, despite its above-average safety features, hardly a chance of survival in a collision with the Q7.
Another drawback is the high cost. The Q7 V12 TDI is equipped with a type class of 25 in liability insurance, 30 in the part and 32 in the fully comprehensive insurance is currently (as of 2010) the most expensive car to be insured in Germany.