Frankfurt Motor Show: Audi Q7

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Audi played an interminable teasing game in the run-up to finally unveiling its Porsche Cayenne/Range Rover Sport rival, the Q7, releasing pictures of tiny fractions of its windscreen pillars, so-called "spy shots" of it out testing, snippets of information and suchlike over the past few months to stir up interest and generate column inches. So it's not been any surprise that the Q7, is, well, a large 4x4 with all the usual Audi styling cues and a line-up of powerful engines. Pretty much as we expected, then.

The Q7 show car, however, does have one trick up its sleeve: it's a hybrid, with the 4.2 FSI V8 petrol engine (350bhp, 440Nm) and a 32kW electric motor which adds up to 200Nm. Audi claims acceleration 0-60mph in 6.8seconds, despite a weight of 2410kg, and fuel consumption of 23.5mpg - hardly planet-saving, but nearly 13percent better than that of the conventional 4.2 V8. As with other contemporary hybrids, the system incorporates a starter-generator and a stop-start function, switching the engine off when idling. Battery power is enhanced by the electricity generated by solar cells in the panoramic glass sunroof, which allow the ventilation and air conditioning systems to run when the engine is off.

The electric motor is mounted between the engine and the six-speed auto gearbox's torque converter; either powerplant can propel the Q7 independently, or work in unison. The layout means that cabin space is not compromised; there has been a little reshuffle in the luggage bay, though, to accommodate the batteries housed beneath the boot floor.

The hybrid - a co-development with Volkswagen and Porsche, thus likely to have Toaureg and Cayenne counterparts - is not due for launch until 2008, however. In the meantime, the Q7 will come with either the standard 4.2 V8 FSI direct-injection petrol engine (350bhp) or the six-cylinder 3.0 TDI diesel (233bhp), though further variants are likely to follow. Six-speed tiptronic transmission is standard, with quattro permanent four-wheel drive and a Torsen differential, giving a 40:60 split of torque between the front and rear axles under normal driving conditions. The Q7 has steel-spring suspension and twin-tube shock absorbers; adaptive air suspension with electronically-controlled damping is optional. Ground clearance varies between 180mm and 240mm, with an off-road mode and a loading mode to set suspension height.

The Q7's cabin can seat up to seven people in three rows of seats; each of the middle-row seats are individually adjustable, and both rear rows of seats can be folded flat to give a load-carrying capacity of up to 2035litres. With the rearmost row of seats folded, luggage space us up to 775litres - Audi claims this as a class best, though good load space is expected from a vehicle 5086mm long, 1983mm wide and 1737mm tall. Equipment on offer includes Audi's MMI operating system (standard-fit), parking sensors with rear-view cameras, side radar cameras to help with lane-changing, hill descent assist and trailer stability assist. 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/60 tyres (3.0 TDI) or 255/55 tyres (4.2 V8 FSI) are standard, with 19- and 20-inch alloys optional; eleven paint colours are offered, with the option of two-tone finish. The order books open from 12th September, with the first deliveries to start early 2006; prices for the UK have not yet been confirmed, but in Germany, the range will start from 48,900euros.
 
I like the interior on this car and its top of the line engine! Cool car (only with glass roof) and watch the Toureg sales go down..
 
? hate it so much just cause it's a SUV but damn it does look nice in that pic. And the fact that it's a hybrid makes it even better!
 
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