The SUV from Ingolstadt: Audi Q7

It had to happen. Mercedes-Benz got the ball rolling with the ML-class. Then BMW followed with the X5, Volvo with the XC90. After a while, Porsche and Volkswagen had to respond to the clamor for luxury SUVs with the Cayenne and the Touareg, respectively. So, of course, Audi had to join the fray with the Q7, now available in the Philippines with either a 4.2-liter petrol V8 or a 3-liter turbodiesel. What differentiates it from this esteemed, luxury off-roader party?

Well, apart from the distinctive corporate grille and edgy sheetmetal that has a way of bouncing back sunlight like a Swarovsky, how about the amount of real estate that it occupies? It’s a whopping 5,086mm long and has a wheelbase of 3,002mm. BMW’s X5 measures 4,667mm bumper to bumper and has a 2,820mm wheelbase. The Merc ML350 can’t compare either with a length of 4,788mm and a wheelbase of 2,913mm. Of course, the popular Ford Expedition is still the big guy, measuring 5,382mm end to end and with a wheelbase of 3,025, but it won’t earn you style points like the Audi will.

In the flesh, it’s not the most instantly beautiful shape you’ll ever come across, but one gets the impression it will age well. If you like the look of late-model Audis with the gaping radiator grilles and the well-defined fenders, you’ll like this XL-sized Audi. If you don’t, well… then you probably won’t like the Q7.

Anyway, aside from the obvious advantage that the Q7 owner will have in that it will convey to the world that he (or she) is a person of sophistication and discerning taste in SUVs — not to mention being pretty darn rich — this particular Audi also a) drives well both on- and off-road, b) transports 7 passengers quite comfortably, thank you very much, and c) promises a sublime driving experience that only rich leather upholstery, fine cabin trim, and more cupholders than there are seats can provide.

True to the corporate ethos of Vorsprung durch Technik (text Backseat Driver if you can tell us what it means), the Q7 is bestowed with Quattro all-wheel drive. A Torsen center differential regulates power distribution between the front and rear axles, while electronic differential locks transfer excess power to the wheels with better traction if necessary. The Q7’s all-wheel drive is also assisted by an Electronic Stabilization Program that includes a selectable off-road mode, which can especially come in handy on slippery descents.

Adaptive Air Suspension technology also allows owners to customize ground clearance and suspension damping. For highway cruising, the "dynamic" setting lowers the vehicle height and center of gravity for increased driving stability. In "off-road" mode, the car can move 25mm up its double wishbones to enable it to crawl over large obstacles without scratching its expensive underchassis (it’s a monocoque, by the way).

Two cutting-edge powertrains are offered: the 4.2-liter gasoline V8 features "FSI" direct injection technology good for 350 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque, while the 3.0 TDI six-cylinder common rail diesel is rated at 233 hp and 500 Nm. A 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic sequential manual shifting is the standard transmission.

Inside, Audi’s penchant for creating involving cabins shows with elegant font-types for the instrument meters and buttons, quality plastics, velvety textures, and a mildly complicated vehicular interface that’s just confusing enough to make figuring it all out a secret pleasure among owners. Most of the Q7’s supplementary features such as climate control, stereo, and trip computer are controlled by the "Audi Multi Media Interface" (MMI), which displays pertinent information on a 7-inch display on the dash and is managed by a control button/knob on the center console with several function buttons around it.

Gratuitous technology shows with a power-release for the glove compartment box, but otherwise, most of the high-tech is actually quite useful. What’s more, a parking assist system not only measures the distance to obstacles behind the vehicle, it also provides a visual display of front and rear obstacles using the MMI screen.

The Q7’s advantage in space shows with a positively commodious 2nd row that, although it’s spec’d for 3 passengers, is best appreciated by two outboard persons who can then make use of the wide armrest with its integrated cupholders. And while the 3rd row seat back there takes some mild contortionist techniques to access, there’s actually enough knee room to discourage the kids’ nannies from waging a mutiny and holding the Labrador hostage. With the 3rd row folded down, there’s enough luggage space freed up for several days on the road. Unique to the Q7, "Sideguard Head Airbags" protect all three passenger rows.

Readers of "Auto Bild alles allrad", the four-wheel drive journal of Auto Bild, one of the most popular motoring publications in Germany and Europe, voted the Audi Q7 as "Four-Wheel Drive Car of the Year 2006" in the "Luxury-class off-road vehicle and SUV" category. The German Sunday newspaper "Bild am Sonntag" likewise gave kudos to the Q7, awarding it the "Golden Steering Wheel" for the best new car of 2006. Pricing for the Q7 will be competitive against similar luxury SUVs. Distributed by PGA Cars (727-0381), first delivery of the Q7 will be in the middle of Q3 2006.