Audi Q7
Encyclopedia
The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury crossover SUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...

 unveiled in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of the Q7 began in autumn of 2005 in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...

, Slovakia. It is the first SUV offering from Audi and went on sale in 2007. Later, Audi's second SUV, the Q5
Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover SUV which was released by German automaker Audi for the 2009 model year. It is built using the new Audi MLP platform which debuted in the 2007 Audi A5 coupé. The Q5 is the second Audi model in the "Q" range, after the full-size Q7...

, was unveiled as a 2009 model. Audi has since unveiled a third SUV model, the Q3
Audi Q3
The Audi Q3 is a five-door compact coupe crossover by Audi that is expected to debut commercially in 2011. The car will use the Volkswagen Group A5 platform of the Volkswagen Golf Mk5, the same as the Volkswagen Tiguan/SEAT Tribu small SUVs. The Q3 will slot above the proposed Audi Q1 mini crossover...

, going on sale in the 3rd quarter of 2011.

Overview

The Q7 (internally designated Typ 4L) utilizes a modified version of the Volkswagen Group PL71 platform. Previewed by the Audi Pikes Peak quattro
Audi Pikes Peak Quattro
The Audi Pikes Peak quattro was a sport utility vehicle concept car. It was created by German premium automobile manufacturer, Audi. The Pikes Peak quattro was first introduced at the 2003 North American International Auto Show...

 concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....

, the Q7 is designed more for on-road use, and was not meant for serious off-road use where a transfer case
Transfer case
A transfer case is a part of a four-wheel-drive system found in four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles. The transfer case is connected to the transmission and also to the front and rear axles by means of drive shafts...

 is needed. In an off road test through the Australian outback it fared well for a "soft roader",. Although it lacks a low-range transfer case, it has quattro permanent four wheel drive system with a central differential lock, and an adjustable-height air suspension which helps in off road situations.

Features

  • Q7 offers a feature marketed as AMI, or Audi Music Interface, to allow user manipulation of an iPod or similar MP3-style player, which can play through the main sound system.
  • Q7 was the first Audi model to offer Side Assist, a type of blind-spot detection and warning system.

Engines

Source
Petrol engines
ModelYearEngine typePower, torque@rpm
3.6 FSI 2008–2009 3597 cc VR6 FSI 280 PS@6200, 360 newton metres (265.5 ft·lbf)@2500-5000
4.2 FSI 2008–2009 4163 cc V8
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....

 FSI
350 PS@6800, 440 newton metres (324.5 ft·lbf)@3500
3.0 TFSI 2009- 2995 cc supercharged V6 FSI 280 PS@4750-6500, 400 newton metres (295 ft·lbf)@2150-4780
3.0 TFSI S-Line 2009- 2995 cc supercharged V6 FSI 333 PS@5500-6500, 440 newton metres (324.5 ft·lbf)@2900-5300
Diesel engines
ModelYearEngine typePower, torque@rpm
3.0 TDI 2005–2007 2967 cc V6 turbo 233 PS@4000, 500 newton metre@1750-2750
3.0 TDI 2007–2009 2967 cc V6 turbo 240 PS@4000-4400, 550 newton metre@2000-2250
3.0 TDI clean diesel 2009- 2967 cc V6 turbo 240 PS@4000-4400, 550 newton metre@2000-2250
4.2 TDI 2007–2009 4134 cc V8 turbo 326 PS@3750, 760 newton metre@1800-2500
V12 TDI 2008- 5934 cc V12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....

 twin turbo
500 PS@3750, 1000 newton metre@1750-3250


0-100 KM/h performance for Q7 3.6 VR6 FSI is 8.5s, and for 4.2 V8
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....

 FSI is 7.4S.

Safety

Despite its multiple airbags and safety electronics, such as Electronic Stability Programme
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...

 (ESP), the Q7 scored only four stars out of five in the Euro NCAP crash test for adult occupant protection. According to Audi, this was caused by a design error, and has since been fixed in cars manufactured after the test which should allegedly lead to five stars. Official tests to prove this remain to be done as of March 2009.

However in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, the Q7 received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...

 (NHTSA) safety test for both front and side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, established in 1959 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that...

 awarded the Q7 its Top Safety Pick, with Good ratings in all 14 measured categories of the front and side impact test.

North American models

It was first released as 2007 model, with Q7 4.2 quattro available at launch.

Q7 hybrid (2005)

The Q7 hybrid was a concept vehicle using the engine from the 4.2 FSI with an electric motor to provide 200 newton metre extra torque, and nickel-metal hydride battery. It has 0–100 km/h acceleration of 6.8s. The vehicle weighs 2410 kg (5,313.1 lb), 140 kg (308.6 lb) heavier than the petrol counterpart.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Audi reportedly was going to introduce a hybrid version of the Q7 sometime in the future. However, the low US dollar caused Audi to drop the plans for the US market, but stated limited quantities would be available for the commercial market. Audi's research and development chief, Michael Dick, later announced Q7 hybrid would be produced in limited numbers for test purposes only and that development work would focus on a more advanced lithium-ion battery-based hybrid system for the Q5.

Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel (2009)

The Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel is a version of 3.0 V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...

 TDI with selective catalytic reduction
Selective catalytic reduction
Selective catalytic reduction is a means of converting nitrogen oxides, also referred to as with the aid of a catalyst into diatomic nitrogen , , and water, . A gaseous reductant, typically anhydrous ammonia, aqueous ammonia or urea, is added to a stream of flue or exhaust gas and is absorbed...

. The engine was later used in the next generation of the Q7 for the European market.

US models of the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI Premium went on sale in 2009-04 with a base MSRP of $50,900 (excluding a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges).

Q7 4.2 TDI (2007-2009)

The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

Production version went on sale in early summer 2007.

Q7 V12 TDI (2008-)

The engine was based on the diesel technology from Audi R10 TDI race car, but with larger displacement. The engine was rated at 500 PS and 1000 newton metre, making it the only twelve-cylinder diesel engine used in any passenger car. It has 0–100 km/h acceleration of 5.5 seconds. The Q7 V12 TDI according to Audi is the best handling Q7 due to a revised suspension, tires and brakes. Audi claims the Q7 V12 TDI can handle a lateral inclination of over .9 g's on a 300 feet (91.4 m) skid-pad.

The concept vehicle originally appeared at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

Originally, Audi announced to build a version for the US market using diesel engines jointly developed with Volkswagen and Mercedes under the label "Bluetec". Audi was later reported to not be bringing the Q7 V12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....

 TDI to the US market.

Audi Q7 coastline (2008)

It is a concept version of Q7 V12 TDI with Inuit white interior with wood decoration. The design theme was inspired by luxury yachts.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Lawsuit on the use of the letter Q

In early 2005, Nissan North America Inc. filed a lawsuit against Audi over the use of the letter "Q" as a model name.

Audi is using the "Q" for the designation of their quattro four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...

 system, used in production cars for over twenty-five years (Audi's quattro trademark is actually an umbrella term for several types of four wheel drive systems developed by Torsen
Torsen
Torsen is a type of differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a contraction of Torque-Sensing...

, Haldex Traction AB, and Borg-Warner, the latter being used in the Q7). Nissan's Infiniti
Infiniti
is the luxury division of automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989 in North America. Marketing operations have since grown to include the Middle East, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, China, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Infiniti began sales in additional...

 marque had been using Q as the name for sedans (the Q45
Infiniti Q45
The Infiniti Q45 was a full-size luxury car sold by Nissan's Infiniti marque from 1990 until 2006. It is a rear wheel drive, four-door sedan powered by a V8 engine. Early generations were based on the automaker's Japanese-market flagship sedan, the Nissan President, while models produced after 1997...

) and SUVs (the QX4 and QX56) since 1989.

A settlement between Audi AG and Nissan was reached in late 2006. The agreement stipulates that Audi will only use the Q-prefix for two models, the Q5
Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover SUV which was released by German automaker Audi for the 2009 model year. It is built using the new Audi MLP platform which debuted in the 2007 Audi A5 coupé. The Q5 is the second Audi model in the "Q" range, after the full-size Q7...

 and the Q7.

Facelift (2009-)

The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Exterior changes include new front and rear lights which better incorporate LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....

 lighting with optional LED turn signals and daytime running lights, new wheel designs, chrome accents, four new paint colors, and updated body styling in the front and rear.

A redesigned interior includes a new instrument cluster, new leather seating, ambient door lighting, new interior color choices, new trim, and the third generation MMI
Multi Media Interface
The Audi MMI system, is an in-car user interface media system developed by Audi, and implemented in most of its latest series of cars/automobiles since 2004.-Concept:...

 control system.

Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro (2009-)

It is a version of 3.0 TDI with selective catalytic reduction
Selective catalytic reduction
Selective catalytic reduction is a means of converting nitrogen oxides, also referred to as with the aid of a catalyst into diatomic nitrogen , , and water, . A gaseous reductant, typically anhydrous ammonia, aqueous ammonia or urea, is added to a stream of flue or exhaust gas and is absorbed...

. CO2 emission was reduced to 234 g/km with Euro 6 certification, but the vehicle is 50 kg (110.2 lb) heavier. It's been reported that at 72.5MPH the Audi Q7 TDI will get 29+ miles per gallon (diesel).

Q7 2011

A brand new facelift brought optional LED headlights, an 8-speed transmission, start/stop fuel-saving technology, CO2 rating reduced to 195 g/km, and a wraparound tailgate design. Also more flat and metallic colors became available and 21-inch titanium-effect wheels became an optional extra. Certain models now achieved upwards of 37 MPG IMP. New Engines include 2 3.0 supercharged engines. One of the supercharged engines puts out 272 horsepower and 295 lbft of torque. The other engine which is found on the Sline prestige Q7 puts out 333 hp and 325 lbft of torque and is the twin of the engine found in the s4 and s5 cabrios. These engines replaced both the 3.6 and 4.2L gas engines. Both engines have the same fuel economy.

Q7 2012

Audi Has added their new Audi Connect to the MMI system, which adds internet driven POI search, via user input or via the voice control system, as well as access to online services delivering local fuel prices, news, weather and other information. Audi Connect also offers in car WiFi connectivity for up to 8 devices.

US models

The vehicles were introduced in 2009 as 2010 models. Available models include 3.6 FSI quattro, 4.2 FSI quattro, 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro.

Changes include standard LED taillights with available LED turn signals and daytime running lights, SIRIUS traffic system.

Production version went on sale in September 2009.

For 2011 the 3.6 FSI and 4.2 FSI were replaced by two 3.0 L TFSI supercharged engines. The base version develops 272 hp (280 hp for 2012) and 295 lbft while the S-Line has 333 hp and 325 lbft.

Engines

Petrol engines
ModelYearEngine typePower, torque@rpm
3.6 FSI quattro 2006-09 3597 cc V6 FSI 280 PS@6200, 360 newton metre@2500-5000
4.2 FSI quattro 2006-09 4163 cc V8 FSI 350 PS@6800, 440 newton metre@3500
Diesel engines
ModelYearEngine typePower, torque@rpm
3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro 2009- 2967 cc V6 turbo 240 PS@4000-4400, 550 newton metre@2000-2250
4.2 TDI quattro 2009- 4134 cc V8 turbo 340 PS@4000, 760 newton metre@1750-3000
6.0 TDI quattro 2008–2010 5934 cc V12 twin turbo 500 PS@3750, 1000 newton metre@1750-3250

Transmission

All models include 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...

 as standard. No manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...

is offered.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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