Tech-junkies will be pleased to know that the Q7 comes with
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| Parking camera helps to place the big Q7 in the tiniest of spaces. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
some brain-scratchingly clever gadgets. There's the new Side Assist which harnesses the license-snatching properties of radar, and puts them to good use to let you know when a vehicle's sneaking up in your blind spot. If you signal for a lane change, or start to drift over when a vehicle is next to you, an amber-coloured LED mounted in the sideview mirror will illuminate, or flash to gather your attention. In practice, there are few flaws with the system, and it adds an extra bit of security.
Also available is Audi's second-generation adaptive cruise control system, which is now capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop on its own, taking most of the brainwork out of maintaining a safe distance. Oh, and let's not forget the rearview camera, which ever so usefully shows your planned course on the MMI screen using the direction of the front wheels. I could go on and on, but you get the point: the Q7 can be had, jam packed with goodies.
If
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| FSI is now available with eight cylinders. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
you must have a Q7 when it goes on sale during the second week of June, you'll have to have one with the 4.2-litre V8. It's not quite the same engine that you'll find wedged under the hood of an S4, an A6 or an A8, mind you, as it's got more in common with the new RS4. To keep up with the competition, Audi has adapted its award- and race-winning FSI direct injection technology and a dual-plenum intake manifold to boost performance while cutting back on consumption. In its first mass-market application, power has been boosted to 350 horsepower, while the engine produces 325 lb-ft of torque, both of which are commendable figures; enough to allow the Q7 to tow up to 2,993 kg (6,600 lbs). That's much more than an XC90 or an X5, by the way. While good for towing, at the end of the day the Q7 is still a very large vehicle, so don't expect it to be any quicker off the line than its V8-powered rivals.
The grunt of the new V8 is routed through a six-speed
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| Nature has nothing on quattro. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Tiptronic automatic, which is distributed to the ground via an adapted version of Audi's acclaimed quattro all-wheel drive system. Although it's capable of shifting power from axle to axle when the going gets tough, in normal driving conditions the split is rear biased with a 42:58 power split, a major contributor to the Q7's excellent road manners. The main controls - throttle, steering and brakes - bear a similar weighting and consistency that will be familiar to anyone who has driven an A6 or an A8, but what really helps set the Q7 apart from others in its class is the optional adaptive air suspension system. Controlled through the MMI interface, the suspension's height and firmness can be adjusted to suit the conditions of the road or your inner desire, yielding a ride that ranges from grand tourer firm to a grand total of 240 mm (9.1 in) of ground clearance, but the best results come from the 'Automatic' mode, which always seems to find the perfect blend, giving the Q7 a ride akin to a magic carpet.
But
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| Though engaged completely automatically, the all wheel drive system is effective in getting it up rough terrain. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
just because the Q7 is better on road than most SUVs, it's not to say that you can't have a bit of fun in the filth when opportunity arises. The planned tour route outside of Calgary, Alberta saw a variety of driving conditions, including a 20 kilometre stretch of winding, tight gravel roads, including several roadside stops to test its mettle on the unpaved stuff. On grass, and even rock, the Q7 is able to strut its stuff; working traction and power distribution out all on its own. Standard on all Q7s is a centre-locking differential which automatically engages when the going gets rough, though, this is governed for the most part by an advanced ESP program which adds hill climb and hill descent control.
