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You better be well-dressed if you expect to waltz in late to the ball. And as Audi gets ready to roll out its first sport-utility vehicle, it’s clear that the automaker has dressed up its Q7 in fine fashion.
Over the years, the German automaker has made a number of attempts to ride the SUV wave. It has promoted its quattro all-wheel-drive technology as a technological alternative, pushed its roomy avant wagons, even boosted the ride height of its short-lived allroad wagon. But with the launch of Q7, Audi is finally acknowledging it has to play by everyone else’s rules.
The Q7 is
a handsome vehicle, starting with a bold front end that’s clearly been
influenced by the latest Audi A6. The aggressive wheel arches make Audi’s SUV
look like it’s in constant motion, a perception enhanced by the flowing shape of
the overall design. The roofline flows gracefully, reminiscent of the new
Mercedes-Benz CLS “four-door coupe.” And the unusual wraparound tailgate was
strongly influenced by Audi’s
“Everything below the shoulder line is very muscular,” explained Filip Brabec, a key member of the Q7 development team. “Everything above is sleek and almost coupe-like.”
Not so light
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Audi has been a leader in the use of lightweight materials, such as the aluminum chassis and body of the brand’s flagship A8 sedan. The Q7’s hood, fenders and tailgate are aluminum, as are many chassis and suspension pieces. Nonetheless, the ute still tips the scales around 5000 pounds. But Audi officials believe they’ve shaved enough weight to deliver an estimated 17 to 18 mpg in combined city/highway driving with the big V-8.
Give credit to the SUV’s powertrain, as well. The Q7 will debut with a 4.2-liter FSI V-8 similar to the powertrain going into the new RS4 sedan. The direct-injection, all-aluminum engine makes a hefty 350 horsepower. It is mated exclusively to the Audi quattro system which, in the Q7 is biased 40/60 front-to-rear. The full-time all-wheel-drive system will also be used when Audi launches a V-6 version in September 2006. The 3.6-liter powertrain will put out 280 hp.
Inside, the new sport-utility vehicle is impressively spacious, with a flexible interior that provides plenty of cargo space, especially with the rear seats folded down to create a long, flat load floor. The second row can tilt and slide. And Audi will be offering the Q7 in five-, six-, and seven-seat configurations, the latter two trading some rear cargo space for a stowable third row. Audi planners insist you can come up with 28 different seating configurations. And there are ten different cupholders, so you’ll always have at least one within easy reach.
The interior is organized into color-keyed “islands,” starting with the driver’s cocoon-like cockpit, with its twin-teardrop gauge clusters. The Q7 will help Audi retain its reputation for benchmark interiors, using an array of elegant materials, including the unusual loop-style carpeting.
A number of manufacturers have adopted massive panorama sunroofs in recent years. Audi goes one better with the Q7. There’s the panorama for the first and second row and an optional third-row sunroof that can tilt for improved ventilation.
You’d also expect Audi to include plenty of cutting-edge technology, and you wouldn’t be disappointed. Audi will be among the first to launch a blind-spot detection system. Dubbed Audi Assist, it will warn you, with visual and audible alerts, if you start to change lanes when there’s traffic in your way. The system operates at speeds above 35 mph.
There’s a slick air suspension system that improves ride comfort both on and off-road, and for the rare few buyers who might actually take the Q7 out on the trails, it can increase ride height up to ten inches. The $2500 option can also lower the SUV, making it easier to load cargo in back.
The automaker’s MMI, or Multimedia Interface, has been rated significantly more user-friendly than the competing BMW iDrive, though it still takes a bit of effort to learn all its nuances and extensive capabilities. At least you don’t have to drill down three levels just to manually change the radio station.
The MMI operates virtually everything electronic, including the Bluetooth, hands-free phone system and a buyer’s choice of either XM or Sirius satellite radio systems. Somewhat surprisingly, there’s only a 5.1 channel sound system at a time when growing numbers of automakers, such as Lexus and Acura, are going the even more sophisticated 7.1 route. Audi also opted not to handle DVD-Audio, citing low sales numbers for the super-hi-fi discs.
No scrimping
It’s hard to find anywhere Audi scrimped on safety technology, either passive or active. The list starts with front-seat active headrests, designed to minimize the likelihood of whiplash. First-row passengers also get dual mode front airbags and side-mounted airbags. The roof-mounted airbag system protects all three rows and will stay inflated for an extended period in a rollover. The Q7’s stability control system is also designed to actively prevent rollovers.
Radar cruise control with accident “mitigation” will come soon after launch. The system is designed to watch out for a potential collision. When necessary, it will even begin applying the brakes before your foot hits the pedal, and if it sees an accident as unavoidable, it will take steps such as pre-tightening seatbelts.
Other options include power tailgate and third-row power seats.
Don’t confuse the Q7 with the Touareg, sold by sister division, Volkswagen, asserted Wolfgang Hoffman, the new director of product planning at Audi of America. “The cars are too different,” he stressed, noting that only a relatively few parts went unchanged in the development of Audi’s entry.
We’ll have to wait until we can
actually test the Q7 on the road to see just how different they are, but one
place where Audi has to make changes is in the area of quality. VW’s ute
received only two out of a possible five stars for Overall Quality, according to
J.D. Power & Associates’
Senior Audi officials insist they’ve put in a tremendous effort to get things right with Q7, and note it will help to have their SUV built on its own assembly line. In general, Audi quality has been showing marked improvement, especially with the new A6.
The critical question is whether
the Q7, as well-dressed as it might be, has simply arrived too late to enjoy the
party. There are plenty of indicators that SUV sales have grown a bit soft in
the wake of record fuel prices. And in a crowded market, it won’t be easy to get
the message out that Audi has finally arrived. But there’s no question that this
is a credible offering – at least judged from a static model. Audi planners
expect the
Base price: $55,000 (est.,
V-8)
Engine: 4.2-liter FSI direct injection
V-8, 350 hp/325 lb-ft; 3.6-liter V-6, 280 hp
Transmission: Six-speed automatic,
all-wheel drive
Length x width x height:
200.2 x 78.1 x
68.4 in (Euro spec)
Wheelbase:
118.2 in
Curb weight: 5000 lb
(est.)
Fuel economy (EPA
city/hwy): 17-18 mpg (est., combined)
Safety equipment: Six airbags (dual
front and side airbags, driver and three-row head/rollover airbags); four wheel
anti-lock brakes, stability control, anti-rollover stabilization; alarm and
immobilizer
Major standard
features: Power windows, locks and mirrors; power seats; AM/FM/CD with
choice of XM or Sirius; panorama sunroof; navigation
system
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles
