Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro - new deal
The market has been waiting for the second version of the Audi Q7 for a long time. It was worth it. The car is 325 kg lighter than its predecessor, safer, more economical and more fun to drive. And it looks better too.
The first Audi SUV debuted in 2005. The introduction of the Q7 marked the introduction of the Audi Pikes Peak concept, which had been unveiled two years earlier. Because of its monstrous dimensions and large engines, it was customary to say that the Q7 is a car designed for American customers. Meanwhile, as many as 200 out of 400 7 issued copies found buyers in Europe. Q tempted with exemplary workmanship, a wide choice of powertrains and quattro permanent all-wheel drive with a TorSen differential. The list of shortcomings included heavy body lines and a high curb weight, which limited the maneuverability of the car, adversely affected performance and improved fuel consumption. High fuel consumption is no longer acceptable even for wealthy people. Recall that in many countries the certified carbon dioxide emissions per kilometer are translated into taxes for the operation of the vehicle.
The only correct decision was made in Ingolstadt. It was recognized that the second-generation Q7 should be a completely new car - even the most profound modernization will not allow it to fight an equal fight with increasingly advanced competition. A huge amount of time and resources has been spent on styling the exterior and interior, the fight against extra pounds and the introduction of advanced electronics - improving both comfort and driving safety.
The car is built on the new MLB Evo platform, which in the future will also be available for the next generations of Cayenne, Touareg and Bentley Bentayg. The priority for the engineers was to combat the weight of individual components. Widespread use of aluminum, which was used to make, including the suspension and most of the outer skin. The numbers are impressive. The body lost 71 kg, 67 kg was removed from the suspension, and the exhaust lost 19 extra pounds. Saving everywhere. By optimizing the design of the dashboard, it was possible to save 3,5 kg, the new boot floor is 4 kg lighter than the classic one, and 4,2 kg was taken from the electrical system. Consistency paid off. The weight of the car has decreased by more than 300 kg.
The SUV from the Audi stable has also become optically lighter and more compact. The most obvious reference to the first Q7 is the line of windows and roof pillars. In designing the rest of the body, roundness was abandoned in favor of sharp shapes. The trend is especially noticeable in the front apron, which has longitudinal headlights and a radiator grille with an angular border. In the near future, the Q7 will match the rest of the Audi models. The upgraded Q3 and the new TT are fresh.
Due to the wide notch for the license plate and oblong headlights and exhaust pipes, the rear has become more squat. Its most characteristic feature is the "animated" turn signals. Audi engineers have calculated that successive segments of orange light attract the attention of other drivers, who should be able to quickly assess what maneuver we intend to perform. Of course, we are talking about differences of the order of tenths of a second. At speeds developed on main roads and highways, we overcome many meters during this time, so we can talk about the positive impact of the decision on safety.
Chosen by a large percentage of buyers, and also present in the test sample, the S line package camouflages the ubiquitous character of the Ingolstadt SUV - it deprives the Q7 of black sills and wing edges. There are also no imitations of plates protecting the chassis protruding from under the bumpers. However, this does not mean that Q7 will not work outside the main lines of communication. Wandering across the west of Canada, we drove several tens of kilometers on gravel roads. Loose coverage does not make a big impression on the Q7 - the car easily holds the 80 km / h allowed in such conditions. It doesn't help with traction control. Permanent four-wheel drive with TorSen center differential can transmit up to 70% of torque to the front axle or up to 85% to the rear. The result is very predictable and neutral handling. ESP corrections are only made when the driver is overwhelmingly outside the curve.
Driving experience largely depends on the equipment of the car. One option is a steered rear axle. At low speeds, its wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front, improving maneuverability. When driving at high speed, all wheels turn in the same direction, which increases stability. The theory is being put into practice. From the driver's seat, we immediately forget that the length of the Q7 is five meters. The car is surprisingly agile, especially in dynamic driving mode. It's worth noting that the 11,4-meter turning radius is the smallest in the Q family. The medium-communication steering system, however, makes it clear that the Q7 isn't trying to be an athlete at any cost. However, this should not confuse potential buyers. Most of them see the presented SUV as a comfortable and family-oriented offering from Audi.
The optional air suspension absorbs bumps perfectly. In sport mode, it reduces body roll and roll, but is surprisingly effective at hiding imperfections in the road – even on a car with optional 20-inch wheels. We will also appreciate the "pneumatics" when transporting heavy luggage or towing trailers - the suspension will align the rear of the body. Ground clearance on the rear axle can be reduced by five centimeters when loaded. Ground clearance can also be adjusted while driving; within 185-245 mm. The driver, however, does not have complete freedom. The distance between the body and the road correlates with the speed and the selected driving mode.
The on-board electronics also monitor and correct other driver decisions. For example, when turning left. If it detects a risk of collision, it will automatically stop Q7. In a richly equipped copy, we also had traffic alert systems at our disposal - even when leaving a parking space or trying to open the door after stopping the car on the street. New - the next generation of the parking assistant. No longer forces you to "scan" parking spaces when driving slowly with the turn signal on. Just try to squeeze through the gap between the cars. If, fearing for the condition of the front bumper, we decide not to complete the maneuver on our own, it is enough to activate the assistant, who will carry out perpendicular parking in front. Even if a correction in the form of care with the wheels turned out is necessary. Another new feature is the trailer driving assistant. It uses a sensor in the hook and maneuvers the set on its own. What's more, the electronics "study" the trailer's driving behavior - it compares the steering angle with the trailer's deflection, which will pay off when the parking aid is turned on again.
Additives can even reduce ... fuel consumption. The Performance Assistant collects signals from the navigation and traffic sign recognition system and sends them to the active cruise control. If the computer detects that you are approaching a populated area, it will slow down in advance to fully utilize the vehicle's kinetic energy. The algorithms also take into account the curvature of the bends. Audi claims that the integrated solution can reduce fuel consumption by up to 10%. The declaration could not be verified - the car was introduced in Canada, and you cannot add maps of North America to the European version of MMI. We need to set up the system.
The huge dimensions of the first Q7 were not fully embodied in the spaciousness of the cabin. The second and third rows were cramped. The optimized design of individual elements had a positive effect on the cubic capacity of the cabin. Up to seven adults can travel on short trips by car. For long distances, four adults and two children in the rear seats will be as comfortable as possible. Behind their backs is a 300-liter luggage compartment. To fold the extra seats, all you have to do is hold down a button – the electric drives take care of everything. In a few seconds we already have 770 liters for luggage. A family of five doesn't need more. Even for the longest vacation.
The cabin is perfectly isolated from noise and vibration. Absolute silence even at highway speeds. The noise level does not increase when overtaking or engine braking - even when the tachometer needle is near the red field, the 3.0 V6 diesel only purrs with a pleasant bass. Unwanted sounds are absorbed, such as laminated side windows and body shaking, reducing the difficulty of attaching the powertrain to the body.
The interior of the car has been worked out to the smallest detail. Audi has taken care not only of high-quality materials, perfect fit and equally reliable assembly. Efforts have been made to ensure the switches operate with an audible click and the knobs provide adequate resistance. The minimalistic dashboard has only the most important switches. We control less frequently used functions from the MMI multimedia system level. There you can also adjust the parameters of the car to individual preferences. In Q7 with virtual indicators, even the type of information displayed can be personalized.
Comforters will definitely appreciate the assistant in traffic jams, working up to 65 km / h. He will direct the Q7 behind the convoy of cars without the intervention of the driver. If they start overtaking a vehicle parked on the side of the road, the Q7 will do the same. Even if it was necessary to move the lines drawn on the pavement. Blindly following a convoy of cars is out of the question. Audi tracks the position of 2 to 32 vehicles, as well as the location of lanes, barriers and other objects along the road.
Packed full of electronics, sensors and cameras, the Q7 would have been able to cover miles on its own if not for legal restrictions. Who would like to see how advanced the technology can put a half-liter bottle with the rest of the water inside between the steering levers. The sensors detect the torque on the steering wheel and determine that the driver is in control of the vehicle. In fact, Lane Keeping Assist will automatically turn the steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control will track the distance to the vehicle in front. The system can be "cheated" in other ways - just hold the steering wheel slightly. At the first corner, we will feel that the Audi itself fits into the curves of the roads that occur on the main roads. Welcome to the future! However, after two thousand kilometers behind the wheel of the Q7, we got the impression that nothing can replace the driver. The electronics have problems with the correct interpretation of the traffic situation. When we get to a car in front of the headlights, the active cruise control does not slow down very smoothly - even when setting the maximum possible distance. For a simple reason. Sensors don't "see" as far as the human eye. The computer is also not always able to interpret the situation on the road - it can apply the brakes when the car in front starts to slow down, trying to go off the track. An experienced driver, after analyzing the speed and form, could avoid braking or brake only with the engine.
Currently, the Polish offer includes two engine versions - petrol 3.0 TFSI (333 hp, 440 Nm) and diesel 3.0 TDI (272 hp, 600 Nm). Both V6 engines will meet the expectations of the vast majority of customers. They are paired with an eight-speed Tiptronik transmission that shifts gears very efficiently and smoothly. Accurately selects the moments of shifting higher gears, and also does not linger on downgrades. The driver also has a well-functioning manual mode. It is worth choosing a diesel. It is distinguished by low fuel consumption, high work culture, maneuverability and performance similar to the gasoline version (accelerates to “hundreds” in 6,3 seconds, only 0,2 seconds behind the gasoline version). As if that weren't enough, the 3.0 TDI costs PLN 2800 less than the 3.0 TFSI.
Audi says the Q7, powered by a 272 hp 3.0 TDI engine. should consume only 5,7 l/100 km on the combined cycle. The result of laboratory measurements differs from the actual values. However, the disparity is not huge. The permitted extra-urban fuel consumption is 5,4 l/100 km. At a distance of 402 km, we managed to get 6,8 l / 100 km at an average speed of 84 km / h. It's impressive. Recall that we are talking about a 7-seater SUV, which, with passengers and luggage on board, weighs more than 2,3 tons and accelerates to “hundreds” in less than 7 seconds.
In the near future, the offer will also include the "budget" ultra 3.0 TDI (218 hp, 500 Nm) - cheaper to buy and consuming less fuel than the 272-horsepower TDI. Another proposal for state employees will be the plug-in diesel hybrid Q7 e-tron (373 hp, 700 Nm). At the other end of the range is the sporty Audi SQ7 with an all-new 4.0 V8 turbodiesel. It is assumed that it can develop a power of 435 hp. and a torque of 900 Nm. The company doesn't mention the petrol V8 or the monstrous 7 V6.0 TDI that was offered in the previous Q12. And it is doubtful that customers will miss them. The significant weight reduction has had a very positive effect on the dynamics - the 3.0 V6 TFSI rides more efficiently than the 4.2 V8 FSI, and the 3.0 V6 TDI does not lag behind the older 4.2 V8 TDI.
You need to spend PLN 7 3.0 for a basic Q272 306 TDI (900 km). The SUV from Ingolstadt is more expensive than its competitors. Why? We will find out the answer by delving into the nuances of the settings. Audi has abandoned the four-cylinder engines offered by BMW, Mercedes or Volvo. Only V6 available with extensive equipment including, among others, Automatic air conditioning, LED headlights, photochromatic mirror, LED interior lighting, rear parking sensors, multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth connection, drive mode selector, MMI navigation plus, multimedia system with 8,3 inch screen and even a power opening and closing tailgate. Audi isn't trying to cash in on "details" like floor mats, a spare tire or cigarette lighter and ashtray that are usually options in the Premium segment.
The BMW X5 xDrive30d (258 hp) starts from a ceiling of PLN 292. The same applies to the Mercedes GLE 200d 350Matic (4 hp; from PLN 258). After retrofitting, both models will be more expensive than Audi. We emphasize, however, that direct opposition to proposals is difficult. You can order add-on packs at great prices for each SUV, and by selecting individual options, you will find that some of them are related to other add-ons. For example, when choosing a rear view camera for the Q291, you also have to pay for the front parking sensors. Audi offers LED headlights as standard. However, their active Matrix LED version requires an additional charge. When ordering LED luminaires from competitors, we immediately receive their adaptive version. However, for those who are seriously interested in buying a premium full-size SUV, price plays a secondary role. Driving experience, aesthetic preferences and brand loyalty are often decisive.
The Q7 has taken a huge leap in the right direction. Technical innovations have improved safety, efficiency, performance and comfort. This is a good omen for the future. Q7 offers solutions that will become options for cheaper Audi models in the near future. In the coming months, we will see interesting competition for shares in the E-SUV segment. Recall that over the past few months, all top-end SUVs have been updated or replaced with completely new models. Therefore, customers cannot complain about limited wiggle room.
