Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro review
WHILE many people may struggle with the concept of a performance inspired mud-plugging SUV, it’s nigh on impossible to find fault in the new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro.
That’s because while the first model to come to our shores boasts a whopping 272PS, enough to fire this big beast to 62mph in just 6.5secs, it’s the massive weight loss that really sets this car apart from the out-going model.
With the five-seat model, the car is lightest in class at 325kgs and, despite being shorter and narrower than the old Q7, boasts much more internal space – something of a bugbear with the old car.
That weight shedding exercise, achieved with the bulk of the chassis now constructed from aluminium, also improves the drive. Body pitch and roll is minimal compared to many other SUVs and, while it’s still possible to tempt the car to lose-the-plot on brutal cornering over bumpy surfaces, it will take a heavy foot indeed to push this nimble mover into the hedgerows.
And, in keeping with its small-car feel, the optional rear-wheel steer system graces the big car with a turning circle better than even Audi’s own little A4.
On top of all this, its fuel economy claims of 47.9mpg and CO2 emission rating of just 153g/km will keep the BIK bandits off your case with taxation rate down to 28% from 37%.
What is it?
This is the second generation premium SUV from Audi targeting the higher end of the off-roader market. Significantly, it shows how Audi has responded to criticism of size versus internal space on the old car.
What’s hot?
- Visually a more conservative looking car than the old Q7 and that helps accentuate its smaller girth, which has been trimmed by 15mm in width and 37mm in length.
- Despite reduced external dimensions, internal space has improved with increased shoulder and headroom for both front and second row seats and, while loading height has reduced rear seat folded luggage space by 80-litres to 1,955, seats-in-place space more than doubles to 770-litres.
- – The all-new 3.0 TDI diesel engine has more power than any SUV has a right to expect and, coupled with permanent quattro all-wheel-drive, the Q7 fires away from the lights quicker than most hot hatchbacks.
- – Fuel economy claims are impressive with a combined average of 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions of just 153g/km, the BIK tax rating is only 28%, 9% less than the old car.
- – Handling is equally as impressive as the performance and the super-stiff chassis copes well with the still large dimensions of a big SUV.
- – Standard equipment includes cruise control and speed limiter, dynamic speed sensitive suspension, electronic stabilisation control (ESC) incorporating anti-lock brakes, emergency brake force distribution, traction control and electronic differential, hill descent and hill hold assist, keyless ignition, auto lights and wipers, sat-nav, DAB digital radio, powered tailgate, rear privacy glass, heated and powered leather front seats and voice control system.
- – Technology options abound on this high-tech car and high on our list of desirables is the optional Audi Virtual Cockpit, where the instruments are digital displays that allows you to switch between traditional instrument dials to a full sat-nav or Google Earth display behind the steering wheel, allowing the driver’s eyes less time away from the road straight ahead.
- – Company car drivers used to being stuck in congested city traffic should opt for the Tour Pack which enjoys ‘autonomous’ driving in traffic jam assist mode. For an extra £1,850, its main asset is being able to have steering, braking and acceleration handled exclusively by the car’s electronic systems.
- – For the horsey set, the optional Trailer Pack, at £1,300, adds a really neat powered tow-bar and trailer assist which automatically steers the reversing vehicle and trailer to the direction dialled into the rotary push-button control.
