The Audi Q7 is a mid-size luxury CUV or crossover SUV, with a longitudinal front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout, produced by the German car company from 2005, and currently in its second generation. The VW Group MLB platform underpins it; thus, it shares the same chassis with Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus, and VW Touareg.
The First Generation (2005-2015)
When designing the Q7, Audi focused on its on-road performance rather than off-road capabilities. At 5,085mm length, 1,984mm width, and 3-meter wheelbase length, the Q7 offers a very spacious interior and luggage capacity, while producing plenty of power even with its weakest 3.0L diesel and 3.6L petrol engines. Permanent quattro 4WD with a central locking differential, combined with adaptive air suspension with continuous damping control offers a smooth ride and cornering, as well as some off-road capability.
The Audi Q7 was tested by the Euro NCAP and initially received an Overall rating of 4 stars, which Audi attributed to a design flaw that has since been fixed. On the re-test, it received an overall rating of 5 stars, with 94% and 36 points in Adult occupant safety, 88% and 43 points in Child occupant safety, 70% and 25 points in Pedestrian safety, and 76% and 10 points in Safety assist systems, which include airbags and ESP.
The NHTSA rated it 5 stars in both front and side-impact safety, while the IIHS gave it the Top Safety pick of 2009 award, with a maximum score in all categories.
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005, a hybrid concept with the 4.2L FSI petrol engine combined with an electric motor was revealed. While initially there were plans for it to enter limited production, it was ultimately abandoned in search of more modern designs.
In 2009, Audi revealed the facelift for the Q5, featuring changes to the front and rear styling as well as lights, wheel design, and chrome accents. Inside, new instrument cluster, leather seating, ambient door lighting, and Multi-Media Interface modernized the look.
Q7 was available in Standard Trim, Limited Edition, SE, S Line, S Line Plus, S Line Sport Edition and S Line Style Edition trim levels. In Australia, available options were Standard Trim, SE, and Limited Edition.
- Standard trim includes: Dual Front Airbags Package, Anti-lock Braking, Automatic Air Con / Climate Control, 18-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Cruise Control, CD with 6 CD Stacker, Central Locking Remote Control, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Differential Lock, Electronic Stability Program, Fog Lights - Front, Head Airbags, Engine Immobiliser, Leather Upholstery, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Parking Distance Control Rear, Power Mirrors, Power Steering, Power Windows, Roof Racks, Side Airbags, Seatbelts - Pretensioners Front Seats, Sound System with 11 Speakers, Traction Control System, Wood Grain Trim, Third Row Seats
- SE trim level adds: ABS, Cruise Control, Electric driver’s and passenger’s seat
- Limited Edition trim level adds: 21-inch Alloy Wheels, Carbon Fibre Trim, Protective Glazing, Power Mirrors, S Line and Technik Pack
Powertrain options available in Australia:
- 3.0 TDI Quattro, 3.0L turbocharged V6 diesel engine producing 171kW (230hp) and 500Nm of torque, paired with 6-speed automatic transmission
From 2010, it produced 177kW (237hp) and 550Nm of torque and used 8-speed automatic transmission.
- 3.0 TFSI Quattro, 3.0L supercharged V6 petrol engine producing 200kW (268hp) and 400Nm of torque, paired with 8-speed automatic transmission
- 3.6 FSI Quattro, 3.6L VR6 petrol engine producing 206kW (276hp) and 360Nm of torque, paired with 6-speed automatic transmission
From 2010, it comes with 8-speed automatic transmission.
- 4.2 TDI Quattro, 4.1L turbocharged V8 diesel engine producing 240kW (322hp) and 760Nm of torque, paired with 6-speed automatic transmission
From 2009, it produces 250kW (335hp) and 760Nm of torque, and from 2010, it is paired with 8-speed automatic transmission.
- 4.2 FSI Quattro, 4.2L V8 petrol engine producing 257kW (345hp) and 440Nm of torque, paired with 6-speed automatic transmission
From 2010, it comes with 8-speed automatic transmission.
- 6.0 TDI Quattro, 5.9L twin-turbo V12 diesel engine producing 368kW (493hp) and 1000Nm of torque, paired with 6-speed automatic transmission
The Second Generation (2015-present)
The current Q7 debuted at the North American International Auto show in early 2015. It follows Audi's design trend of sharp lines and aggressive front and rear end. It offers a very spacious interior and legroom, without sacrificing handling and riding comfort. Like the previous model, it provides the most basic off-road capabilities.
Euro NCAP tested the 2015 model, giving it a 5-star rating in Overall safety, 94% and 36 points in Adult occupant safety, 88% and 43 in Child occupant safety, 70% and 25 points in Pedestrian safety, and finally 76% and 10 points in Safety assist system.
The Audi Q7 comes with the following trim levels: E-Tron, SE, SQ7 Vorsprung, Vorsprung, Sport, SQ7, S Line, and Black Edition.
Base model inclusions:
Dual Front Airbags Package, Anti-lock Braking, Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Active High Beam Control, Adjustable Speed Limiter, Automatic Stop/Start, Ambient Temperature Display, Anti-theft Wheel Bolts, AUX/USB Input Socket, 19-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, City Brake Support Forward, Cruise Control, Child Seat Anchor Points, Child Seat - ISOFIX Anchorage System, Cross-Traffic Recognition, Digital Audio Broadcast Radio, Daytime Running Lights - LED, Dusk Sensing Headlights, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Differential Lock, Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors, Electric Parking Brake, Electronic Stability Program, Head Airbags, Hill Descent Control, Hard Disk Drive (Built-in), Hill Holder, High Mounted Rear Stop Light, Engine Immobiliser, Keyless Entry and Drive, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Leather Steering Wheel, Leather Upholstery, Multi-Function Control Screen, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Park Assist, Power front seats, Power Mirrors With Folding, Power Steering, Power Tailgate, Power Windows, Radio CD with 10 Speakers, Rear Lights - LED, Rain Sensing Wipers, Rear View Mirror Auto Dimming, Side Airbags, Satellite Navigation, Surround Camera System, Traction Control System, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Tyre Repair Kit, Xenon Headlights
The facelift of 2019 brought changes to the grille, bumpers, side sills, exhaust tips and added chrome accent to the tailgate. Two-tone paint, LED headlights and air suspension now come as standard, while the engine range has been expanded with two diesel and one petrol, and mild-hybrid V6 engines.
The Australian market received a single diesel engine in three variants:
- 3.0 TDI ultra, 3.0L diesel engine producing 160kW (215hp) and 500Nm of torque, paired with 8-speed automatic transmission, capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.1 seconds
- 45 TDI, 3.0L diesel engine producing 170kW (228hp) and 500Nm of torque, paired with 8-speed automatic transmission, capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.1 seconds
- 50 TDI, 3.0L diesel engine producing 200kW (282hp) and 600Nm of torque, paired with 8-speed automatic transmission, capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.3 seconds
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Author: Luka Kusic