Sunday, May 3, 2009

Audi Q7






The Audi Q7 is one of the newer large luxury SUVs to become available. It doesn't disappoint, and comes with all the quality and understated opulence buyers have come to expect from the respected German marque. The Q7's bloodlines are evident in its incredibly swank interior. Craftsmanship is first-rate throughout, and the big SUV is decked out with a wide array of sophisticated luxury and safety features.
The Q7 isn't without its flaws. The vehicle's full complement of features contributes to its ponderous curb weight, which strips some crispness from its acceleration. Fuel economy is poor. And those hoping to keep the kids occupied on road trips with showings of "The Incredibles" will be disappointed to learn that the Q7 isn't available with a factory-installed DVD entertainment system.
At the end of the day, though, these blemishes do little to compromise the attractiveness of Audi's exceptional hauler. If you're in the market for a luxury SUV, the Audi Q7 deserves a place on your list.
Current Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a luxury SUV that seats up to seven. Audi's crossover emphasizes performance and luxury, as its car-based unit-body construction and flurry of high-end accoutrements attest.
Those looking to drive home in this new hauler have a choice of four trim levels. The base 3.6 trim gets you an impressive list of standard features, including upscale treats like leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control. The midrange Premium adds items like Audi's MMI control interface and a power liftgate. Stepping up to the Premium Plus gets you extra equipment like a navigation system and a surround-sound audio system. Finally, the top-of-the-line Prestige trim level seeks to sweeten the pot with extras like xenon headlights and voice-activation capability. Major stand-alone options include second-row captain's chairs, adaptive cruise control and a panoramic sunroof.
The Q7 3.6 comes with a 3.6-liter V6 cranking out 280 horses and 266 pound-feet of torque, while the more athletic 4.2-liter V8 offers 350 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Both are mated to a six-speed transmission with manual shift control. All Q7s are equipped with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It's also expected that Audi will introduce a diesel-fueled Q7 called the 3.0 TDI. The TDI's V6 is said to produce 221 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and deliver superior fuel economy.
Within its cabin, the Audi Q7 manages to be both futuristic and warm at the same time. There's lots of burled wood on display, and come nighttime, the gauges light up with a pleasing red glow. This being an Audi, the cabin offers class-leading levels of style; an air of discreet affluence predominates, and materials quality is first-rate. The navigation, climate control and audio systems are all accessed via Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI). You'll have to flog a few brain cells to get up to speed on the system, but it's fairly easy to use with practice. As is the case with most SUVs of this size, third-row seating is strictly for the kids. Both the second and third rows may be folded flat to swallow an impressive 88.7 cubic feet of cargo.
The Audi Q7 shines on pavement. Its optional adjustable air suspension helps it navigate bumps and ruts with panache, and Audi's all-wheel-drive system keeps the wheels firmly glued to the road. The SUV is somewhat porcine, though, and this fact serves to compromise its acceleration. Additionally, drivers can expect to cough up some serious coin at the pump, since the large hauler isn't about to win any awards for fuel efficiency. In consumer reviews, buyers praised the ute's all-wheel drive and elegant interior, but deducted points for its less-than-pleasing fuel economy.

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