Exterior design
The Audi Q7 brings the new design language of the Audi brand to the premium SUV segment. Its elegant styling represents power and presence and relays its dynamism and sportiness. Flowing forms create a body of moving surfaces, which appear sculpture-like even when standing still.
The Audi Q7 is a new breed of SUV. The first representatives of this vehicle category were angular beasts with a strictly off-road character. These were followed by the first premium SUVs, with a design clearly oriented toward on-road capabilities. In contrast, the Audi Q7 is a third-generation performance SUV. It combines the best features from both worlds and reflects this in its design. Its exterior is as much a reflection of superior sportiness as it is of the robustness required of a powerful off-roader.
A strong personality such as the Audi Q7 convinces with its attention to detail. The front is dominated by the striking, practically vertical single-frame grille, a clear indication of the powerful engine installed behind. With its slim chrome frame and rib structure, the grille has a marked three-dimensional effect. The horizontal ribs protrude slightly to emphasize the horizontal lines, and the vertical lines are set back slightly. On either side of the grille, wide headlights reach far into the fender, their light tubes visible behind clear covers. In addition to the standard halogen lights, adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights are available.
The engine compartment lid has a distinctive V-shape to underline the sporty character of the Audi Q7, whereas the dominant shape of the bumper emphasizes its robustness and stability. The lower section is color-contrasted. This visual differentiation - further accentuated by the contrasting paintwork option - clearly highlights the versatility of the vehicle.
The Audi Q7 looks powerful and long. With regard to its ratio of length to width to height, it boasts the sportiest proportions in its class. These proportions are harmonious and at the same time striking. High side panels lend the vehicle body a muscular appearance, contrasting with the flat sporty window area.The free-flowing surfaces create the impression of a sculpture. Broad curves and seams intensify this effect as does the play of light and shade on the concave and convex surfaces. The elegant dynamic line running above the wheel arches and the strong high shoulder section lend the design an athletic character.
The Audi Q7 seems to forge ahead even when standing still. Its overhang at the front is markedly short, and the sill line rises dynamically towards the rear, passing around the distinctly contoured wheel arches. The A-pillar, optically accelerated by its flat angle of projection, forms a harmonious transition area from the engine compartment lid to the roof. The roofline starts to drop again just in front of the B-pillar and finally ends in a coupe-like curve at the sporty flat, sturdy D-pillar. A spoiler carrying the third brake light lends a final touch.
The rear of the Audi Q7 has an unusually dynamic and innovative design. The sweeping wrap-around tailgate with the S-shaped shut line has an optically stabilizing effect while at the same time expressing the urge to push forward. The tailgate does not interrupt the bumper with the embedded light strip and itself carries single-piece lights with an expressive design, extending to the body flanks and accentuating the horizontal lines at the rear. The shoulder line of the body ends at the top edge of the lights. Both exhaust tailpipes are arranged symmetrically. On vehicles with the V6 3.6 FSI engine, they are 3.15 inches in diameter and 4 inches in diameter with the V8 4.2 FSI.
The exterior mirrors have been optimized to achieve minimum air resistance, low noise levels, dirt-resistance and good drainage in wet weather. Horizontal turn signals featuring LED fiber-optic technology are harmoniously integrated.
The drag coefficient of the Audi Q7 on models with steel suspension is 0.37. If air suspension is fitted, it is even lower due to the lowered body at higher speeds, reaching 0.34. These figures are the best in the SUV segment.
The interior of the Audi Q7 is sporty and at the same time elegantly functional. The uncompromising quality standards of the brand are to be found once again in the Audi Q7 performance SUV, combined with a level of practicality and versatility that sets standards.
Clear architecture and the finest materials and craftsmanship throughout: these are the lasting impressions conveyed by the interior of the Audi Q7. The elegant forms and the high-quality surfaces are both robust and luxurious. The instrument panel is covered as standard in a soft skin, pleasing to the eye and to the touch. Typical for an Audi, the gaps are exceptionally even and narrow.
The visual impression is one of calm surfaces where the same material and color dominate, accommodating the functional units that are embedded like islands. The cockpit is color-contrasted with the instrument panel. The top is in black or beige and the armrests in the doors are trimmed in Cricket leather (optional).
The standard decorative inlays on Premium models are made from fine wood, including burr walnut, olive ash or tamo, a dark wood from Japan. Air outlets in aluminum look, discreet decorative rings and strips on covers and switches, as well as an exquisitely designed lighting package including footwell lights using LED technology, can be ordered if desired to add yet more finesse to the ambience.
Additional options including Alcantara trim for the headlining and roof pillars as well as various leather trims complete the overall impression of elegance and style. The heavily grained Cricket leather is optional, whereas leather seating surfaces are standard.
The interior architecture reveals the Audi Q7's kinship with the Audi A6 and Audi A8. Powerful taut lines lend the door trims a dynamic look. The styling of the controls and cockpit, with its generous layout and sleek design, was inspired by the Audi A6. The center console is organically integrated into the cockpit. The main instruments - speedometer and tachometer - feature dropped-shaped surrounds.
The broad and high center tunnel also is a perfectly uncluttered and functional operating area, undisturbed by the presence of a handbrake. Instead there is a foot-operated parking brake. The Multi Media Interface (MMI) located on the tunnel is highly impressive for its ergonomic qualities. Independent comparative tests once again have underscored the superiority of this Audi technology, even compared with new designs from the competition.
Numerous storage compartments enhance travelling comfort for every passenger. Brackets suitable for 1.5-liter bottles will be found in all four door pockets. There are also six cup holders for a total of 10 beverage holders in the vehicle. Additional stowage areas are incorporated in the center console and the center armrest. Nets are found in the footwell on the front passenger side, on the luggage compartment trim and on the back of the front seats; a compartment for glasses is integrated in the roof module. Audi Q7 customers also receive a center armrest with separate sections for the driver and front passenger.
The seats in the Audi Q7 have been designed to provide excellent comfort on long journeys and a relaxed seated position throughout. The driver's seat is height-adjustable, and the steering column can be adjusted for height and angle. The prospective customer generally can choose between three seat configurations: the performance SUV is available as a five-seater, seven-seater or six-seater.
The standard Audi Q7 3.6 will leave the assembly line as a five-seater. In this case the seat bench in the second row is divided 60:40; as an option both elements can be moved back by four inches. The rear seat split is 40:20:40; an armrest with pop-up cup holders is incorporated into the center section. This element can be folded down completely to create a through-loading width of 11.8-inches (30 cm).
The seven-seat version, standard on Premium models, has two seats in the third row suitable for people who are up to 5-ft. 4-in. tall. They can be folded flat on the loading floor if necessary.
The mechanism for making these adjustments is particularly user-friendly. By pushing the backrests (divided 50:50) slightly, the head restraints are retracted automatically. Cup holders are integrated in the luggage compartment side trim panels.
The Audi Q7 is available with a 4.2-liter V8 FSI engine or 3.6-liter V6 FSI engine. Both power plants work with performance-enhancing, efficient, direct-injection technologies.
4.2-liter V8 with FSI technology
With a displacement of 4,163 cc, the V8 is a close relative of the engine used in the Audi RS4 and Audi S5. In the Audi Q7, in line with the character of the performance SUV, it develops 350 bhp at 6,800 rpm. But its torque curve of 325 ft. lbs. is even beefier than in the RS4. This power output is available at 3,500 rpm, and 85 percent is unleashed from as low as 2,000 rpm. The engine has a sonorous tone and is highly cultivated throughout the entire speed range.
The powerful V8 belongs to the present V engine family of the brand, notable for a 90° cylinder angle and a distance of 3.5 in. between cylinders. A maintenance-friendly twostage chain drive system, comprising three single roller chains, activates the four camshafts; it is located at the rear of the engine to save space. A fourth chain drives the ancillaries.
The figures confirm the impressive power potential of the eight-cylinder engine. The performance SUV with the V8 sprints from zero to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds. Top speed is limited to 130 mph.
The V6 engine has a displacement of 3.6 liters. It is derived from the six-cylinder engine that powers the top versions of the Audi A3 and the Audi TT. By enlarging the bore, displacement has increased from 3,189 cc to 3,597 cc. Its torque is available across a wide range: 265 ft. lbs. from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. With a power output of 280 bhp at 6,200 rpm, the V6 represents yet another impressive power pack for the performance SUV.
With an included angle between cylinder banks of 10.6 degrees, the V6 is unusually compact. Its engine block is fashioned from grey cast iron, and the valves are actuated by low-friction roller cam follows with hydraulic clearance adjustment. Intake and exhaust camshafts, which are chain-driven, are continuously adjustable to reduce emissions and further improve fuel economy. The variable intake manifold also contributes an improvement in cylinder charging. Like the V8, the V6 uses FSI, the direct injection technology developed by Audi engineers that enhances performance and efficiency.
Performance figures are correspondingly impressive. The Audi Q7 3.6 FSI accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds; its top speed is limited to 130 mph.
To optimally convert engine high performance into forward propulsion, the Audi Q7 4.2 FSI and 3.6 FSI have the Tiptronic automatic transmission on board as standard. Depending on the engine version, two technically different versions are employed, yet both have the same dynamic character.
The six gears of the Tiptronic are wide-spaced and ideally exploit the torque potential of the engines. On the road and on difficult terrain, where the torque converter with its damping action and torque multiplication is particularly well suited for driving off-road, it also replaces a reduction gear.
A number of changes were made to the Tiptronic for off-road use. The transmission shafts, their mountings and the parking mechanism were reinforced; modifications to the oil sump and intake filter guarantee oil supply, even under extreme conditions.
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