Audi Q7 2011 News

As the new global boss of VW promises to compensate customers for a loss in resale value, lawyers are lining up in Australia to represent more owners of cars with software that can cheat diesel emissi

The solution to a problem that causes embarrassment in caravan parks across the nation has been invented, but we can't have it.

Audi has revised its Q7 SUV lineup, improving spec levels and value – and adding more than $5000 worth of kit to the V8 for an extra $500.From September, the range-topping Q7 4.2 V8 diesel will be fitted standard with 21 inch alloys (up from 20), the S-Line exterior package, heated front seats, and Audi Connect internet connectivity. All except Audi Connect are currently available as options totalling more than $5000, but the SUV’s asking price will increase by just $500 to $129,300. The V8 revisions – which follow running changes to the volume-selling 3.0 TDI V6 diesel earlier this year – join the current model’s adaptive air suspension, memory seats,  satnav with hard drive storage, xenon headlights and proximity keys,   parking system plus with front and rear view camera, Bose audio and digital TV.Earlier this year, Audi added satnav with hard drive storage, xenon headlights and proximity keys to the Q7 3.0 TDI, in addition to the previous model’s parking system plus, rear view camera, Bluetooth audio and telephone, leather seating for seven, and automatic tailgate. All Q7 models are unchanged mechanically, with the 3.0 TDI sending 180kW/550Nm through an eight-speed automatic to Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system. Average fuel consumption is therefore unchanged at 7.4L/100km. The 4.2 TDI makes 250kW/800Nm, and is rated at 9.2L/100km with the same eight-speed auto and quattro setup.The supercharged petrol V6 3.0 TFSI model is unchanged, with its 245kW/440Nm outputs paired with the same eight-speed auto/quattro combination as the diesel models, and a combined fuel consumption of 10.7L/100km Pricing for the Q7 3.0 TDI starts at $90,500, while the mid-range 3.0 TFSI is unchanged at $95,200.  

The biggest change in the switch to a new VW Group platform - that will also be the base of everything from the Volkswagen Touareg to the Lamborghini Urus - is a body change that means the next Q7 will be about 400 kilograms lighter.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

Audi is looking to take over the world. Well, the world of luxury automobiles not the actual world. They don't like when you make those jokes. Audi has sky-high sales targets and it needs nearly every vehicle in its lineup to sell, and sell well. There are some vehicles it needs to sell... that haven't even arrived yet. Case in point is the oft-rumoured Audi Q8, a full-size SUV that has its sights set on some serious competition. According to Autocar, Audi is prepping the Q8 to arrive and tackle a rather legendary name among the SUV set. We're talking about Land Rover. More specifically the Range Rover Sport. The story goes that Audi will essentially build up the bodywork of the A8 sedan and plop it down on a revised version of the MLB platform. If the Q8 does come to see the light of day, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a potential flagship-grade SUV on the automaker's current favourite platform. Still, just as Bentley and Lamborghini were set to bring their respective sport utility vehicles out to dealerships around the country club, it would surprise no one if the idea of an Audi Q8 faded into the ether just the same. If Audi wants to see itself reach the lofty sales goals the company has placed upon itself, perhaps a near halo-like SUV isn't the right way to go. Of course, we still wish Audi went ahead with the R8 V12 TDI, so stay tuned for the Q8. www.motorauthority.com  

The Q7 — known as the QE7 because of its size — began Audi’s push into SUVs and the updated model is expected to set a new benchmark for the class. This exclusive Carparazzi computer generated illustration shows that Audi is sticking close to the current successful recipe for the new model.

The 2.7-litre, twin-turbo V6 Ford/PSA engine - previously deployed in models as diverse as the Jaguar XF and Citroen's C5 - brings to this hitherto thirsty, petrol-only range the low-end torque and economy that makes diesel the power source of choice for buyers of bigger SUVs. Emissions will be cut by as much as 25 per cent compared with the Territory's venerable naturally aspirated in-line petrol six, while output should be in the vicinity of 150kW and 440Nm: just what the two-tonne Strayan SUV needs. New SUVs are thick on the ground in 2011, but the fairest of them all is the Range Rover Evoque, which brings designer desirability and - at little more than $50K - relative affordability to the segment.  Range Rover's first foray into the domain of the Q5s and X3s of this world will bring Land Rover's luxury badge within reach of people who don't necessarily use them to form convoys outside private schools. It's the smallest, lightest Rangie ever, and the leanest version emits about 130g of CO2 per kilometre.  Most of all, Gerry McGovern's sublime, compact design - especially in coupe format - will change the way you look at SUVs. Roll on September. On a softer note, compact SUVs - prestige ones, in particular - have been the growth segment of the past few years.  This year brings an especially intriguing contrast: two Volkswagen Group models, both with Tiguan underpinnings and most likely highly similar drivetrains, one built in Spain, the other in the Czech Republic. The former is Audi's Q3, the latter Skoda's Yeti. The Audi will carry a premium price tag; the Skoda won't. Compare and contrast.  In tougher terrain, the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee lobs later this month with its newly acquired monocoque chassis, reportedly tarted-up interior and a trio of V engines; a new 209kW 3.6-litre petrol V6; a 5.7-litre Hemi petrol V8; and a three-litre CRDi turbo-diesel six. The Cherokee's Patriot and Wrangler stablemates have also been updated. Just as ballsy (more so, even) is Nissan's Pathfinder Ti 550, the most powerful version to date, with its stump-pullin' three-litre turbo-diesel V6. If the sun is temporarily eclipsed in June, it's probably due to the vastness of the latest Volkswagen Touareg with its new range of six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines and a platform shared with the exxier likes of Audi's Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne. There can be few left in this global village who haven't been exposed to pre-launch publicity for the Toyota FJ Cruiser.  This four-year-old, retro-designed device finally gets here in March, lugged along by the four-litre V6 petrol engine from the 150 Series Prado. Claimed outputs are 200kW and 380Nm.  If you must have one, that blue seems the least ostentatious colour.

Remember four-wheel-drives? Hulking, slabby, graceless sods of things derived from - and sometimes even called - Jeep.

As you read this - hopefully in a relaxed and comfortable kinda way - a convoy of 15 Audi Q7s are within a few days of Broome. They're on a three week transcontinental crossing to launch the marque's long-awaited SUV here in the widest and brownest of lands. At least, there should still be 15 of them. We joined the roadshow for last week's 1100km leg between Broken Hill and Birdsville via Tibooburra, Cameron's Corner and Innamincka. Apart from four flat tyres - pretty much a given on the gibber - this procession of luxo soft roaders proved to have considerable off-road (or at least off the main road) application, proving their build quality (and dust proofness) beyond reasonable doubt. Indeed, it was with some bemusement that a couple of gen-u-wine four-wheel-drivin' bush bashers watched the Q7s race with impertinent ease up the famous Big Red dune on the edge of the Simpson Desert near Birdsville. The only concession to the extra-urban conditions were off road tyres and a barrier between the front seats and the load area. The 4.2 FSI V8s made the most stirring sound, but the 3.0 TDI V6s lost little by comparison. Four of the latter came sans the air suspension set up that gave slightly more off road facility, but also slightly denuded feel for the road. In terms of the real world, at highway speeds on the bitumen between Broken Hill and Packsaddle, our TDI (weighing almost 2.7 tonnes with an immense load of gear) returned 9.8 litres per 100kmh. Seldom did it much exceed 12 litres even in the most trying conditions with try-hard driving. For Q7 owners, the wilds of Woollahra and Mosman need hold no fear. Paul Pottinger is a senior roadtester on the CARSguide team, and also editor of the Sunday Telegraph CARSguide. A version of this review, as well as other news, reviews and analysis will appear in the Sunday Telegraph.

THE arrival of the giant Audi Q7 all-wheel-drive will not mean the end of the company's crossover Allroad station wagon.The German brand says it is still committed to the Allroad, despite the introduction of the Q7 and the smaller Q5 that will follow it.A new model is expected in Australia next year. It could even make the Melbourne Motor Show in March.The new Allroad is already on display at Audi's headquarters at Ingolstadt in Germany, where it was priced from $86,700 with a 171kW, 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel engine.Final engine choices for the new Allroad are yet to be finalised and it is possible Australia may receive a diesel only.At the moment the Allroad is sold with the choice of two petrol engines -- a 2.7-litre turbo and 4.2-litre V8 -- and a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel."We are unsure what engines we will take. It's possible it may only be the diesel," Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says.The Allroad display car was wearing 245x45 ZR18 Pirelli P Zeros and is defined at the front by a more accentuated single-frame grille that has more vertical elements in the egg-crate design.Before the Allroad arrives, Audi Australia will have hot versions of the S6 and S8 this November and December, respectively.Each is powered by a V10 engine, the first of its type from Audi aimed to bridge the gap between the 4.2-litre V8 and the 6.0-litre W12.The V10's maximum torque of 450Nm kicks in at 3000 revs, giving it a wide curve -- an unusual trait for a V-angled 10-cylinder.The V10 engines weigh 220kg, 15kg more than the 4.2-litre V8.Audi has tried to find a balance between a sporty and torquey engine. It fires along with 331kW at 7000 revs but does not have the pace of BMW's V10 in a 0-100km/h thrash because it doesn't rev as far as the BMW motor.The S6 has a special instrument cluster and carbon-fibre trim on the centre console. Its chassis and suspension have been optimised for the six-speed, S-tronic, double-clutch, sequential gearbox.There are 18-inch brakes, but it's not available with ceramic stoppers, which are on the S8, W12 and RS4 sedan.Differentiation between the S6 and S8 in the nose is subtle -- the S8 gains a unique airtake design that has integrated fog lamps. The S6 has carbon-fibre slats.