The Audi Q7 will be released in Europe in 2011 and in the United States in 2012. The avant garde five-door coupe comes complete with a hatchback, but the styling would belie the utilitarian potential of the new longer body style. The Q7 is a few inches longer than the A6 and a foot longer than the S5.
SpecificationsComing in around $60,000, this Q7 is the top of the line for Audi. It handles like a graceful, oversized S5 and gives a faint indication of what is on the horizon for the redesigned A6, soon to be released also. Despite being larger than the A6, the Q7 weighs exactly the same, thanks to Audi using aluminum for the hood, front quarter panels, doors and tailgate. That saved 150 pounds, keeping the Q7 at 4100 pounds.
Performance
In the U.S., the 2012 Audi Q7 is armed with Audi's gas-fueled, supercharged, direct-injected 3.0-liter V6, which will be rated right around 295 horsepower with 325 pound-feet of torque. The U.S. version of the Q7 will exclusively use the ZF-developed eight-speed automatic transmission. Audi plans to use that transmission on all its US releases for consistency.
The Q7 can run up to 60 miles per hour in under 6 seconds. The European model, with its diesel engine, is even livelier. The road-grabbing suspension manages to find a nice balance point between stiff and supple. A sport suspension, that lowers the car by nearly an inch, is available for those who prefer a lower ride.
Interior Features
The interior is as classy as the exterior is sleek. The Q7 has a few trim options available. The woods they use inside look antiqued and give a classy, stately feeling to an already stylish car.
The car is meant to seat four, but a fifth adult could ride in the rear. Passengers in the back would need to be less than 6 feet tall, as the sloping hatchback cuts off the headroom. If the same area is used for cargo, it can hold around 20 cubic feet. If the back seats are folded down, there is nearly 50 cubic feet of cargo room.
Competitors to the 2012 Audi Q7
Audi’s Q7 is in the same class as the Mercedes CLS line and the BMW X5. It combines utility with great comfort and style. It can handle either purpose with aplomb.
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