|
|
|
|
26/09/2010
By EWAN KENNEDY
|
|
|
Audi Australia has given its 2011 model Q7 SUV three new engines that are both more powerful and use less fuel than the units they replace. This gives the large, American style wagons the sort of performance that's normally only offered in a full-on sportscar. Reviewers have praised the Audi Q7 in many ways, but not until now for low fuel consumption, that's about to change.
The new Audi 3.0-litre V6 petrol comes with a supercharger and uses dual intercoolers to keep air temperatures as low, and there therefore as dense, as possible, thus improving efficiency due to the extra oxygen being forced into the combustion chambers. With 245 kW of power and 440 Nm of torque, the new Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI leaps from a standstill to 100 km/h in only 6.9 seconds. But it has an official fuel consumption figure of just 10.7 litres per hundred kilometres.
Audi's Q7 has long been favoured with Australian buyers for its high-efficiency turbo-diesel engines. These engines’ performance is being backed up by Audi's success in using diesel engines in the ultra-harsh Le Mans 24-hour race. Now the Audi Q7 has a second-generation 3.0-litre that's completely new. This turbo-diesel produces 176 kW of power and 550 Nm torque. This big-grunt engine consumes just 7.8 litres of diesel per 100 km. The fuel consumption represents a staggering reduction of 19 per cent over the already low consumption of the outgoing 3.0-litre TDI engine.
The crankcase and cylinder heads of the new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI engine use separate cooling water circuits that are interconnected by valves. During warm-up and light load the coolant isn't circulated in the engine block. This saves energy and gets the oil more quickly to its best operating temperature.
A start-stop system switches off the engine when the Q7 comes to a standstill and restarts it when the driver releases the brake pedal. This can lead to significant fuel savings and cuts in emissions in heavy traffic conditions.
Finally, the Q7 with the big 4.2 V8 turbo-diesel engine has had its fuel consumption trimmed by seven per cent, bringing it down to 9.2 litres per hundred kilometres. The Audi Q7 V8 diesel has the same power output of 250 kW as in its superseded iteration, but torque has been increased to 800 Nm between 1750 and 2750 rpm. The V8 TDI engine gives the Q7 acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.
Another key feature of the improved efficiency in the new Audi Q7 is the introduction of a new eight-speed automatic transmission on all six and eight-cylinder Q7 models. The new eight-speed automatic lowers fuel consumption by about five percent. The Audi tiptronic transmission lets drivers choose between the Drive and Sport programs, as well as to make their own manual gear selections.
The range topping Audi Q7 V12 TDI displaces 6.0 litres and uses it develop 368 kW and 1000 Nm. The latter giant torque figure is available between 1750 and 3250 revs and feels endless when you are on the road. This big V12 gives the Q7 the ability to go from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds. The Audi V12 has a six-speed tiptronic transmission, not the eight-speed introduced in the V6 and V8 models.
Audi's Q7 is a big vehicle chiefly due to the fact it was primarily designed for the US market. It works nicely on the open road in Australia but can be a handful at times around inner city and close-suburban areas, particularly in tight carparks. However the size gives it a voluminous interior that's complemented by big comfortable seats. Indeed, the front bucket seats are almost like armchairs to ride in.
All of the Audi Q7 models use the company's quattro all-wheel drive system. This gives some all-road ability, but a huge number of buyers only use them for on-road driving. Therefore the designers have leant very much in the direction of comfort ahead of competence in the rough stuff. Nevertheless, a good driver with a suitable set of tyres can go a fair way off the beaten track.
On-road, the Audi Q7 might have close to the comfort of an American SUV, but its dynamics are much more European oriented. While you can't call a vehicle of this size nimble it does have plenty of road grip and offers pretty precise control.
Under the current tough economic times in Europe it makes sense that Audi has put its engineering efforts into mechanical changes. Consequently there are no appearance changes to the Audi Q7 SUV for 2011.
The complete Audi Q7 range, with prices (excluding dealer and government charges) is:
Q7 3.0 TDI quattro: $88,614 (eight-speed tiptronic with start-stop)
Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro: $93,814 (eight-speed tiptronic)
Q7 4.2 TDI quattro: $127,814 (eight-speed tiptronic)
Q7 V12 TDI quattro: $254,814 (six-speed tiptronic)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
