Audi Q7 Test Drive: A Comfortable Long-Distance Runner
The future of mobility may well be electric, but that hasn't stopped Audi from turning to a proven technology and launching the third generation of the Q7 with a diesel engine. Company officials cite customer demand as the reason for this choice, noting that customers are seeking a fuel-efficient powertrain, particularly for long-distance travel. Two power levels are available: 299 PS (220 kW) and 245 PS (180 kW), both of which are designed as mild-hybrid powertrains. In the end, the team in Ingolstadt didn’t want to do without at least a little electrification. The new SUV is available at Audi dealerships for at least 87,900 euros. Audi charges an additional 2,600 euros for the more powerful version. However, the Ingolstadt-based automaker plans to expand its powertrain lineup in the coming months. A V6 gasoline engine and a plug-in hybrid will then be available at dealerships.
The new version of the large SUV is hitting the market with a massive grille that instantly divides observers into two camps. What some find too flashy, the second group feels perfectly suits the presence of the Audi, which is just over five meters long and 2.21 meters wide (including side mirrors). A total of just under 1.5 million units of the two previous generations were sold, and the best-seller of the “Q series” is now set to continue on this path to success.
With the new Q7, the focus was on comfortable travel. For an additional charge, the doors open electrically to reveal a spacious interior equipped with the finest, meticulously crafted materials. What looks like wood is actually wood. The driver looks out at a display panel that extends all the way to the front passenger, and a very generously sized center console divides the front seating area. Most of the physical switches were eliminated by the design team—only on the steering wheel and a single trim strip do the last remnants of the analog past remain. Fortunately, operation via the digital controls on the screens is straightforward, and the head-up display provides key driving information.
Given its dimensions—the wheelbase is just under three meters—it’s no surprise that the interior is spacious. The option to have two individual seats installed in the rear provides additional comfort. At the same time, the Q7 can also be ordered as a seven-seater, though this significantly reduces trunk space. As a four- or five-seater, the cargo area behind the tailgate holds 670 to 2,075 liters, and for those with larger transport needs, the Q7 can tow horse trailers or boat trailers weighing up to 3.5 metric tons.
Despite its imposing dimensions and a curb weight of 2.5 metric tons, the Q7 handles surprisingly well on the road and, when ordered with the (highly recommended) optional air suspension and all-wheel steering included in the “Comfort Chassis Package” (3,500 euros), ranks among the most comfortable vehicles currently available. The mild-hybrid diesel, working in tandem with the eight-speed automatic transmission, consistently delivers sufficient power to all four driven wheels, and during an initial test drive on sometimes narrow country roads in the French countryside near Geneva, the Q7 proves just how agile it is. This is especially true when Dynamic mode is selected. Tight hairpin turns on roads where the Tour de France pros were riding just a few weeks ago are no problem for the Q7.
However, the Audi belongs to the category of sporty yet comfortable SUVs and truly shines in Comfort mode. When needed, the 2.5-metric-ton vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in six seconds and reaches a top speed of 235 km/h. The “smaller” V6 reaches 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of 222 km/h.
The air suspension effortlessly absorbs road imperfections. The high-end Bang & Olufsen audio system entertains passengers, and external noise is easily filtered out despite the vehicle’s imposing size. As a world first, the Q7 also features an enhanced turn signal that, in conjunction with the digital OLED taillights and digital Matrix LED headlights, is designed to provide additional safety for pedestrians and cyclists. At night, the direction of the turn is projected onto the road ahead and behind the vehicle.
Audi promises a somewhat optimistic fuel economy figure of 7.4 liters for the Q7. In reality, however, when driven a bit more dynamically—which is exactly what the Q7 is designed for—fuel consumption falls into the double-digit range. (aum)
Specifications: Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI
Length x Width x Height (m): 5.06 x 2.01 x 1.80
Wheelbase (m): 2.99
Powertrain: V6 diesel, 2,967 ccm, MHD, AWD, 8-speed automatic
Total power: 220 kW / 299 PS
Max. torque: 630 Nm
Top speed: 235 km/h
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 6.0 sec.
WLTP average fuel consumption: 7.4 liters
CO2 emissions: 193 g/km
Curb weight / Payload: min. 2,455 kg / max. 565 kg
Trunk volume: 640–2,075 liters
Max. towing capacity: 3,500 kg
Price: 87,900 euros
More info for topic: Audi Q7
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