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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Audi Q7

Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury crossover SUV unveiled in September
2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of the Q7 began in autumn
of 2005 in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is the first SUV offering from
Audi. Later, Audi's second SUV, the Q5, was unveiled as a 2010 model.

Overview:
The Q7 (internally designated Typ 4L) utilizes a modified version of
the Volkswagen Group PL71 platform. Based on the Audi Pikes Peak
quattro concept car, the Q7 is designed more for on-road use, and was
not meant for serious off-road use where a transfer case is needed. In
an off road test through the Australian outback it fared well for a
"soft roader",[citation needed] but in a test published in The Sunday
Times it was described as "an absolutely useless off-roader". Although
it lacks a low-range transfer case, it has quattro permanent four wheel
drive system with a central differential lock, and an adjustable-height
air suspension which helps in off road situations.

First generation (2005-)
Features:
- Q7 offers a feature marketed as AMI, or Audi Music Interface, to
allow user manipulation of an iPod or similar MP3-style player, which
can play through the main sound system.
- Q7 was the first Audi model to offer Side Assist, a type of
blind-spot detection and warning system.

Engines:
3.6 FSI, 4.2 FSI, 3.0 TDI, 3.0 TDI clean diesel, 4.2 TDI, V12 TDI.
0-100 KM/h performance for Q7 3.6 VR6 FSI is 8.5s, and for 4.2 V8 FSI
is 7.4S.

Safety:
2007 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro (Australia)
Despite its multiple airbags and safety electronics, such as Electronic
Stability Programme (ESP), the Q7 scored only four stars out of five
(4/5 stars) in the Euro NCAP crash test for adult occupant protection.
According to Audi, this was caused by a design error, and has since
been fixed in cars manufactured after the test which should allegedly
lead to five stars. Official tests to prove this remain to be done as
of March 2009.
However in the USA, the Q7 received five out of five stars (5/5 stars)
from the NHTSA safety test for both front and side impacts. The IIHS
awarded the Q7 its Top Safety Pick, with Good ratings in all 14
measured categories of the front and side impact test.

North American models:
It was first released as 2007 model, with Q7 4.2 quattro available at
launch.

 Q7 hybrid (2005)
The Q7 hybrid was a concept vehicle using the engine from the 4.2 FSI
with an electric motor to provide 200 N·m (150 lb·ft) extra torque, and
nickel-metal hydride battery. It has 0–100 km/h acceleration of 6.8s.
The vehicle weighs 2,410 kg (5,300 lb), 140 kg (310 lb) heavier than
the petrol counterpart.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Audi reportedly was going to introduce a hybrid version of the Q7
sometime in the future. However, the low US dollar caused Audi to drop
the plans for the US market, but stated limited quantities would be
available for the commercial market. Audi's research and development
chief, Michael Dick, later announced Q7 hybrid would be produced in
limited numbers for test purposes only and that development work would
focus on a more advanced lithium-ion battery-based hybrid system for
the Q5.

 Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel (2009)
The Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel is a version of 3.0 V6 TDI with selective
catalytic reduction. The engine was later used in the next generation
of the Q7 for the European market.
US models of the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI Premium went on sale in 2009-04 with
a base MSRP of $50,900 (excluding a destination charge of $825, taxes,
title or dealer charges).

 Q7 4.2 TDI (2007-2009)
The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show.
Production version went on sale in early summer 2007.

 Q7 V12 TDI (2008-)
The engine was based on the diesel technology from Audi R10 TDI race
car, but with larger displacement. The engine was rated at 500 PS (370
kW; 490 hp) and 1,000 N·m (740 lb·ft), making it the most powerful
diesel engine, and also the only twelve-cylinder diesel engine, used in
any passenger car. It has 0–100 km/h acceleration of 5.5 seconds. The

Q7 V12 TDI according to Audi is the best handling Q7 due to a revised
suspension, tires and brakes. Audi claims the Q7 V12 TDI can handle a
lateral inclination of over .9 g's on a 300 foot skid-pad.
The concept vehicle originally appeared at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.
Originally, Audi announced to build a version for the US market using
diesel engines jointly developed with Volkswagen and Mercedes under the
label "Bluetec".[14] Audi was later reported to not be bringing the Q7
V12 TDI to the US market.

 Audi Q7 coastline (2008)
It is a concept version of Q7 V12 TDI with Inuit white interior with
wood decoration. The design theme was inspired by luxury yachts.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

 Lawsuit on the use of the letter Q
In early 2005, Nissan North America Inc. filed a lawsuit against Audi
over the use of the letter "Q" as a model name.
Audi is using the "Q" for the designation of their quattro four-wheel
drive system, used in production cars for over twenty-five years
(Audi's quattro trademark is actually an umbrella term for several
types of four wheel drive systems developed by Torsen, Haldex Traction
AB, and Borg-Warner, the latter being used in the Q7). Nissan's
Infiniti marque had been using Q as the name for sedans (the Q45) and
SUVs (the QX4 and QX56) since 1989.
A settlement between Audi AG and Nissan was reached in late 2006. The
agreement stipulates that Audi will only use the Q-prefix for two
models, the Q5 and the Q7.

Facelift (2009-)
The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Exterior changes include new front and rear lights which better
incorporate LED lighting with optional LED turn signals and daytime
running lights, new wheel designs, chrome accents, four new paint
colors, and updated body styling in the front and rear.
A redesigned interior includes a new instrument cluster, new leather
seating, ambient door lighting, new interior color choices, new trim,
and the third generation MMI control system.

 Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro (2009-)
Audi Q7 TDI (Australia; facelift)
It is a version of 3.0 TDI with selective catalytic reduction. CO2
emission was reduced to 234 g/km with Euro 6 certification, but the
vehicle is 50 kg (110 lb) heavier. It's been reported that at 72.5MPH
the Audi Q7 TDI will get 29+ miles per gallon (diesel).

 Q7 2011
A brand new facelift and LED headlights with a 8 speed start stop, CO2
reduced to 195 g/km and a wraparound tailgate. Also full paint finishes
and metallic colours available and 21 inch alloys in titanium effect
and 37 miles to the gallon.

 US models
The vehicles were introduced in 2009 as 2010 models. Available models
include 3.6 FSI quattro, 4.2 FSI quattro, 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro.
Changes include standard LED taillights with available LED turn signals
and daytime running lights, SIRIUS traffic system.
Production version went on sale in September 2009.

Engines
3.6 FSI quattro, 4.2 FSI quattro, 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro, 4.2 TDI
quattro, 6.0 TDI quattro

Transmission
All models include 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission as
standard. No manual transmission is offered.

Marketing
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro appeared in a How It's Made
segment premiered in Science Channel.
It also appeared in the action film Wanted as one of the several cars
that the assassin group The Fraternity use.
The car will also be featured in Test Drive Unlimited 2. The V12 TDI
version will come with the first release of the game, however in
addition, the Q7 Coastline concept is a bonus car when pre-ordering the
game.
There was also the Q7 Hybrid as a concept but now it got taken off the
concept side.

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