New supercharged V6 and 8-speed autobox
My tester was the high performance model, which in 2010 would have been powered by a gas-gulping V8 engine backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. Today’s top-shelf Q7 powerplant is a supercharged V6 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The outcome: V8 performance with V6 economy.
Displacing only 3.0 litres, the DOHC TSFI engine boldly delivers 333 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque @ 2,900 rpm. These figures may be substantially less than those of the optional twin-turbo V8 bucking beneath the hood of the BMW X5, but they manage to infuse the Q7 with performance that’s highly satisfying from a driving perspective yet reasonably economical.
Fuel economy for the top shelf supercharged mill is rated at 13.6L/100km and 9.3L/100km of city and highway driving respectively. I didn’t achieve those figures during my testing—no surprise there— which was more city focussed than highway, but frankly I wasn’t far off when I drove the Q7 with care and civility.
By contrast, fuel economy for the 400 horsepower twin turbo X5 Bimmer is rated at 15.3L/100km and 9.9L/100km of city and highway driving. Despite its power deficit, the more fuel efficient Q7 is considerably larger than the X5 and supplies third row seating.
Of course, if straight-line performance is the yardstick by which to measure, the twin turbo V8-powered X5 is the clear winner. However, if ride quality and the number of passengers counts on the way to setting speed records, the Q7 will again stand victorious.
Optional Adaptive Air Suspension is adjustable
My tester was equipped with Audi’s driver-adjustable Adaptive Air Suspension, which also controlled the vehicle’s ride-height depending on needs. Through the MMI interface, the driver can select between ‘comfort,’ ‘dynamic’ and ‘automatic’ ride settings.
I found no reason to engage the ‘dynamic’ setting, as the ‘comfort’ setting provided the most compliant ride quality without notably sacrificing the big Audi’s athletic road characteristics. My around-town motoring was remarkably pleasant given the Q7’s smooth, quiet ride.
My tester was the high performance model, which in 2010 would have been powered by a gas-gulping V8 engine backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. Today’s top-shelf Q7 powerplant is a supercharged V6 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The outcome: V8 performance with V6 economy.
Displacing only 3.0 litres, the DOHC TSFI engine boldly delivers 333 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque @ 2,900 rpm. These figures may be substantially less than those of the optional twin-turbo V8 bucking beneath the hood of the BMW X5, but they manage to infuse the Q7 with performance that’s highly satisfying from a driving perspective yet reasonably economical.
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| Displacing only 3.0-litres, the DOHC TSFI engine boldly delivers 333 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque @ 2,900 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Fuel economy for the top shelf supercharged mill is rated at 13.6L/100km and 9.3L/100km of city and highway driving respectively. I didn’t achieve those figures during my testing—no surprise there— which was more city focussed than highway, but frankly I wasn’t far off when I drove the Q7 with care and civility.
By contrast, fuel economy for the 400 horsepower twin turbo X5 Bimmer is rated at 15.3L/100km and 9.9L/100km of city and highway driving. Despite its power deficit, the more fuel efficient Q7 is considerably larger than the X5 and supplies third row seating.
Of course, if straight-line performance is the yardstick by which to measure, the twin turbo V8-powered X5 is the clear winner. However, if ride quality and the number of passengers counts on the way to setting speed records, the Q7 will again stand victorious.
Optional Adaptive Air Suspension is adjustable
My tester was equipped with Audi’s driver-adjustable Adaptive Air Suspension, which also controlled the vehicle’s ride-height depending on needs. Through the MMI interface, the driver can select between ‘comfort,’ ‘dynamic’ and ‘automatic’ ride settings.
I found no reason to engage the ‘dynamic’ setting, as the ‘comfort’ setting provided the most compliant ride quality without notably sacrificing the big Audi’s athletic road characteristics. My around-town motoring was remarkably pleasant given the Q7’s smooth, quiet ride.
 |
| I found no reason to engage the ‘dynamic’ setting, as the ‘comfort’ setting provided the most compliant ride quality without notably sacrificing the big Audi’s athletic road characteristics. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |