Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
Audis effortlessly cool brand image might jar slightly with the unbridled extravagance of the luxury 4x4 sector but in no way can the companys Q7 offering be considered a shrinking violet. With over five meters of length, the capacity to seat seven and tipping the scales at nearly 2,300kg, it isnt small. Just be thankful theres an improved 3.0-litre TDI engine option to keep the running costs reasonably inconspicuous.
If the green lobby is to be believed, luxury 4x4s are devils incarnate, devouring the planets virgin resources, trailing an acrid plume of toxic emissions and running over domestic pets wherever they go. Its true that big offroaders like Audis Q7 dont do the environment many favours but neither do many other kinds of motorcar and if you opt for the 3.0-litre diesel model, you can drive it with a relatively clear conscience. Diesel is big news in the luxury 4x4 sector.
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9mpg compared to 20.8mpg in the 4.2-litre V8 petrol version. It also emits 260g/km of CO2 compared to the V8s 326g/km.
Just for the record, a humble Ford Mondeo 3.0-litre V6 saloon can only return 27mpg while a BMW 650Ci coupe gets 22mpg, so big 4x4s do not have a monopoly on hefty fuel bills. A Porsche 911 Turbo, meanwhile, pumps out 307g/km of CO2 and youd need four of them to carry the same number of people you can get in a single Q7. The 3.
0-litre TDI diesel engine fitted to the Q7 is offered in various models across the Audi range and its proven to be a strong performer. An exhaust gas recirculation system helps to deal with the extra nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions that diesels traditionally produce compared to petrol alternatives, while the common-rail injection system with piezo injectors ensures that combustion is as efficient as possible in the first instance. The 240PS maximum power output is available at 4,000rpm but the headline figure is the 500Nm of torque thats produced at just 1,750rpm. Thanks to this, the Q7 responds to throttle inputs at low speeds in a manner that defies its bulk.
"It was Audi who popularised 4x4 transmissions in road cars back in the early 80s"
Floor it, and the engine, along with its 6-speed tiptronic gearbox, will contrive to get you to 60mph in 8.5s. If conditions allow, theres also a 134mph top speed to be explored. The engine is noticeably noisier than the V8 petrol model but its still very refined in the grand scheme of things.
At 70mph its the rustling of the wind around the Q7s A-pillars that provides the acoustic accompaniment but its at a muted level that means the Q7 is virtually as refined as an A6 executive saloon. Audi never knowingly pass up a chance to remind us that it was they who popularised 4x4 transmissions in road cars back in the early 80s and the Q7 features the latest version of the quattro system. Its designed more for on-road handling than extreme all-terrain action but the Q7 will still do far more offroad than most owners will want to do in their £40,000 SUVs. Torque is split 40:60 between the front and rear wheels via a Torsen centre differential. If slip is detected by the ESP stability control system, power can then be diverted with as much as 65% channelled to the front or 85% to the rear. Audis adaptive air suspension system is standard on all Q7 models and this can be jacked-up to offer different degrees of ground clearance. Offroad mode is 35mm higher than standard and Lift mode is 25mm higher than that, giving a total clearance of 240mm.
Theres even hill descent assist and a trailer stabilisation system for owners looking to tow. The Q7 handles very well on the tarmac with the weighty steering doing much to inspire confidence and no small amount of composure in corners considering the vehicles formidable bulk. In fact, its easy to forget youre piloting something quite so large until you glance in the rear view mirror and see the expanse of seating stretching out behind you. Seven seats is the standard interior configuration for the Q7.
Set-up in this way, the seating provides copious amounts of space for the front and middle row occupants but the rear seating is suitable only for small children or adults on short journeys. Theres 330 litres of luggage space when the rearmost seats are folded into the floor and if theyre likely to spend all their time in this position, you might like to consider the 5-seat version. Here the third row is deleted which means the load floor is lower and theres 775 litres of luggage space. Its also possible to specify a middle row of two comfort seats comprised of a pair of separate chairs with an armrest come storage box in between.
This in conjunction with the 3rd row delete option, opens up the possibility of four or five-seater versions of the Q7 Its indicative of the moneyed target market Audi have identified for the Q7 that the plushest S-Line trim level is accounting for over 70% of sales. The entry level 3.0TDI model costs £38,075 but the extra £2,500 it takes to upgrade to SE is mere pocket change to these affluent individuals and the £900 on top thats needed for the 3.0TDI S-Line is unlikely to be missed from their voluminous bank accounts.
The standard Q7 looks fairly well-equipped with 18" alloys, rain sensing wipers, dark sensing headlamps, a CD stereo, cruise control, rear parking sensors and two-zone climate control. If you want leather, and most Q7 customers probably will, youll have to step up to the SE. The improved 3.0-litre TDI engine makes a lot of sense in the Audi Q7.
It has more than enough grunt to move this substantial vehicle around the place and it keeps fuel economy at reasonable levels. Despite the Q7s impressive on-road dynamics, you dont come away from driving the 3.0TDI version wishing for the extra power of the V8. Which says it all really.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Audi Q7 3.0TDI
PRICES: £38,075-£41,475 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 260g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.5s / Max Speed 134mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 34.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front airbags, side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, ESP, ABS, EBD, ASR.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4086/1983/1737mm
