Audi’s new Q7 offers better economy
A new lead-in 204PS V6 TDI engine has joined the Audi Q7 range.
IT is a goal which at one time would have seemed incompatible in cars of this type, but Audi is giving its Q7 a big boost in the economy stakes.
The new Q7 3.0 TDI 204 PS S Line Plus offers comfortable seating for seven while sipping (relatively speaking) fuel. This economy is achieved by using the lower powered V6 TDI engine which the German carmaker introduced in its A6 offering, returning up to 39mpg.
The newcomer has a lavishly appointed interior and is available to order now at £49,120 on the road. The same power plant has been installed in the lead-in Q7, the 3.0 TDI 204 PS Standard, which retails at £39,995.
Engineers at Audi have worked hard to set the balance between economy and performance, which they have achieved by altering the timing of the motor’s camshafts, turbocharger and common-rail fuel system (which has been optimised for fuel efficiency). And the combined cycle benchmark is 39.2mpg and the CO2 figure is 189g/km.
Fitted with the silky eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox, the Q7 will reach 62mph in 9.1 seconds and can go on to reach 127mph.
As with all models in the Q7 range, drive is via all four wheels in a 40/60 front to rear split and the five-mode air suspension system gives ground clearance levels from 180 to 240mm allows a smooth ride over all surfaces.
The S Line Plus is one of four specification levels, the other three being Standard, SE and S Line.
Inside, the Plus has Verano leather seats and the seven occupants are set on three rows, two of which can be folded away to give a 2,035-litre load space.
Coupled with a hard disk-based satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone preparation with online services giving access to Google Earth navigation mapping and creating a Wi-Fi hotspot for in-car internet access, Audi Music Interface iPod connection linked to an upgraded speaker system and the Audi Parking System Advanced with reversing camera, the car is packed with goodies.
The spec of the S line Plus costs an extra £4,500 over the existing S line option, and can be ordered with five of the six available engines — the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrols in 272PS and 333PS forms, the 204PS and 245PS V6 Diesels and the 340PS 4.2-litre V8 TDI. The mighty Q7 V12 TDI with its incredible 1,000Nm torque peak has its own unique specification.