First Drive | Ingolstadt | 2011 Audi Q7 |
If you've read our
first drive of the 2011 Audi TT, then you'll know that the German firm changed very little of the car's exterior - and the same goes for the 2011 Q7. In fact, Audi hasn't made any alteration to the way the Q7 looks - inside or out.
What it has done though, is introduce a pair of new, more frugal TFSI petrol engines and tweak the existing diesel units for greater efficiency - which is never a bad thing on a car this size.
In the metal
The Q7 has always been an imposing thing and there's certainly no change there. Its length can be put to good use though, as it can accommodate seven and, if you fold down the rear two rows of seats, there's a gargantuan 2,035 litres of luggage space on offer.
Inside, the build quality is typically tough and the cabin is decked out with fine quality materials. Think of it as a
Volkswagen Touareg, just a bit more posh.
What you get for your money
Prices start at £40,135 for the entry-level 3.0-litre TDI diesel model and rise to £54,055 for the 4.2 TDI diesel in top-spec S-line trim. That's a lot of cash, but equally it's a lot of car, and you get the kudos of the four rings on the bonnet.
Unlike the majority of 4x4 'light' cars that often come with power to the front wheels only, all Q7 models feature Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system, which is as grippy as ever and capable in the rough stuff.
Driving it
We tried the latest 3.0-litre V6 TDI and the 4.2-litre V8 TDI, both of which were brimming with torque. The 3.0-litre has 406lb. ft of the stuff, while the 4.2 packs a meaty 590lb.ft, so neither version is short of shove.
The V6 is, realistically, all the car you'll really need, though. It's essentially the same engine as found in the outgoing Q7, but Audi has shaved significant weight off it and the whole car is now 20kg lighter as a result. It also comes with stop-start technology and a number of other tweaks to keep fuel consumption at bay.
Your heart might lean towards the V8, but surprisingly, the V6 actually sounds better. The V8 is punchier, but it clatters slightly more, while the V6 is smooth and makes a great growl when you plant your right foot.
The Q7 handles well for a lofty 4x4, too. It glides over all surfaces and the eight-speed automatic transmission makes light work of swapping cogs. Don't bother using the steering wheel-mounted paddles, as the Q7 is more than capable of changing gear itself with minimal fuss.
Worth noting
The 3.0-litre V6 TDI in particular is very cheap to run. Average fuel economy of 38.2mpg might not sound like much these days, but for a gargantuan 4x4, it's pretty impressive. A 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds and emissions of 195g/km (£235 a year in road tax) are equally good.
Summary
In a world where downsizing is the order of the day, the monstrous Q7 doesn't have it easy. But small changes to gradually slash running costs are always welcome - especially if they're not in the form of expensive hybrid or alternative fuel systems, nor massive premiums for buyers.
Audi's Q7 might not be the most appropriate car of the moment, but as big 4x4s go, it's definitely one of the best of the bunch.
