A close look at the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro

MANILA, Philippines - Since its highly successful world debut in 2005 and an equally successful local debut a year later, the Audi Q7 remains one of the most coveted and head-turning full-size luxury SUVs on the road today.

From its glaring quad projector xenon headlamps to its trademark gaping grille that houses those four iconic interlocking rings, the Q7’s visage is the embodiment of pure Teutonic aggression.

Its side body panels, on the other hand, are models of Germanic minimalism, adorned only by a strong character line that spans the vehicle’s length and muscular fender flares that add visual muscle to the Q7’s sizable bulk.

The rear end is likewise visually distinctive, with tail lamps that have a strong familial connection with the rest of the Audi passenger car line.

But it’s not all looks. The Q7 boasts one of the most high-strength aluminium alloy-intensive body structures for light weight and superior structural integrity.

The Q7 ingeniously combines sportiness and versatility while fusing sophisticated technology with the opulence of the luxury class. Not surprisingly, it is among the most sought-after high-end sports utility vehicles in its segment, with a substantial and steady sales growth in the highly competitive local market.

The Q7 is one of the few true high-performance SUVs that deliver the performance and dynamics of a sports car, but is also equally capable off road.

The Audi Q7’s worldwide accolades include the Golden Steering Wheel award from Germany’s highly respected Bild am Sonntag newspaper in 2005, a five-star safety rating by the US National Highway Transport Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2006, the esteemed Fleet Award from German specialist magazine AUTOFLOTTE in 2007, and a Best Car award in a readers’ poll by Germany’s leading car magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

The unique combination of agility and dynamics makes the Audi Q7 one of the most powerful SUVs Audi has ever built. It’s powered by a 3.0-liter TDI six-cylinder engine that uses the latest-generation common rail injection system with piezo inline injectors.

This powerplant generates 233 hp at 4,000 rpm and an immense torque output of 500 Nm – available from just 1,750 rpm – and delivers this with high refinement and excellent economy. Audi quotes fuel consumption figures of 12.05 kilometers per liter (kpl) on the highway and 9.52 kpl in combined highway-city driving.

On the road, Audi claims that the Q7 achieves a 0-100 kph acceleration run in 9.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 216 kph, figures that have been verified or even bettered by international car magazines.

What makes this doubly impressive is that the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI is an ultra-low-emissions-certified vehicle, which makes it one of the cleanest-burning diesel engines in the world.

The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI transmits its power through a six-speed Tiptronic manumatic gearbox and Audi’s sportily configured quattro all-wheel drivetrain. In normal driving conditions, the quattro system transmits 40 percent of the drive force to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels. In slippery conditions or off road, however, quattro automatically re-apportions torque to the tires with better traction.

In addition to steel springs, the optional pneumatic adaptive air suspension is also available. The combination of air suspension and an electronically controlled damping system allows sporty, responsive handling with the supple ride of a luxury sedan. The Q7’s standard Dynamic Roll Stabilisation system reduces the car body’s tendency to lean when cornering at speed.

The Audi Q7 leaves the factory with all the features on board that a high-end model can be expected to have. One such feature is the Audi parking system, with its acoustic warning signals and reversing camera that provides a rear view of the car to make maneuvering and reversing easier and safer.

The deluxe automatic air conditioning has separate controls for the left and right sides of the cabin, with a central outlet for pleasant, indirect ventilation. Integrated into Audi’s MMI (multimedia interface) system is an audiophile-grade sound system with eight speakers.

Needless to say, Audi owners get to experience Audi Top Service, which includes a 24-hour roadside assistance, a flying doctors program, and mobile diagnostics with nationwide coverage.

The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI is on display at Audi Philippines in EDSA, Greenhills and at the new Audi Terminal at Filinvest corner Commerce Avenues, Westgate Center, Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang.