Audi Q7: technological titan

LIGHTER, safer, more powerful and more fuel efficient, Audi’s Q7 represents the new breed of full-size luxury SUVs.

IN A WORLD where ever-tightening emission regulations and carbon footprint reduction are the norm, headlined by dwindling natural resources plus the need for safer, more efficient and more versatile vehicles, it’s difficult to come up with a vehicle that meets all these requirements and restrictions, yet still delivers a far better, more enjoyable and more exciting driving experience.

Audi’s award-winning second-generation Q7, however, fits that bill to a T. It’s massively lighter than its predecessor by as much as 325 kilograms (716 lbs) depending on the variant, has a Euro NCAP five-star rating for safety, garnering its Advanced Design for Safety award, thanks to its multicollision brake assist system and Audi Pre-Sense.

Audi Pre-Sense is a predictive warning and emergency braking system for accident avoidance and the protection of pedestrians.

At speeds of up to 85 kilometers per hour (52.8 miles per hour), the system observes the road with respect to other road users. At the threat of a collision, it warns the driver through a graduated concept that includes a warning, a warning jolt, and finally, an automatic emergency braking.

If necessary, it initiates full deceleration. Up to 40 kph (24.9 mph), accidents can be avoided completely within the system limits. At higher speeds of up to 85 kph (52.8 mph), the driver is warned.

In addition, Audi Pre-Sense uses brake intervention to reduce the impact velocity, and thus mitigate the consequences of the accident.

Other new assistance systems that make the Audi Q7 even safer in traffic are the collision avoidance assist, turn assist and exit warning.

Whereas the collision avoidance assist helps the driver to drive around an obstacle to avoid an accident, the turn assist monitors oncoming traffic when turning left at low speed.

In a dangerous situation, it brakes the Q7 to a complete stop, if necessary, to prevent a turn if there is oncoming traffic.

With the exit warning, LED lights go red if the doors are opened when other vehicles or bicycles are approaching from the rear.

ABS-EBD brakes with Brake Assist, Traction/Stability Control, and eight airbags round out the safety package. Isofix mounts for child seats are also standard.

TOP AND above photos show the Q7’s spacious interiors and the potential massive cargo space with rear seats folded.

Additionally, red LED lights on the exterior turn on once the doors or tailgate is opened to warn motorists and pedestrians alike from the rear.

The Q7 also achieved its amazing weight savings thanks to the extensive use of aluminum.

Twenty years of pioneering experience in manufacturing aluminum space frame (ASF) chassis and suspension components have allowed Audi to design a multilayer material for the chassis consisting of hot-stamped high-strength steel and aluminum.

Other parts like the doors, tailgate, hood and fenders are made entirely of aluminum to further reduce weight without decreasing cabin safety and integrity.

In all, aluminum accounts for 41 percent of the all-new Q7’s structure. No wonder, the platform will underpin all future Volkswagen Group’s large SUVs including Bentley’s upcoming Bentayga ultraluxury SUV, and possibly the upcoming Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg replacements in a few years.

The all-new Audi Q7 is also shorter and narrower than its predecessor, yet provides much improved interior space.

The all-new Q7 is 37 millimeter shorter and 15 mm narrower while an almost identical 1,740-mm height. Yet the interior has an additional 21 mm of space between the first and second row for improved rear-seat comfort, ingress and exit.

THE AUDI Virtual Cockpit can show engine and vehicle information, and multimedia settings.

Meanwhile, the headroom has increased by 41 mm in the front seats and 23 mm in the second-row seats. These dimensions help give the Q7 a slippery 0.32 cd coefficient of drag, an achievement considering its size. The low drag coefficient reduces fuel consumption and further improves refinement by reducing wind noise at highway speeds.

The optional four-wheel steering helps the large SUV’s agility: At low speeds, the rear axle turns opposite of the front axle to aid in tight maneuvering situations; while at high speed, it steers in the same direction as the front to improve response and stability.

Coupled with the rear facing reverse camera, maneuvering the large Q7 just got much easier than before.

The second-row seats can move 110 mm fore and aft in total, providing easier access to the third row.

The Q7 also has massive cargo space: 2,075 liters with the second and third row down, 890 liters with only the third row stowed, and 295 liters in a seven-seater configuration.

The Q7 also displays interior versatility in an innovative package. Designers lowered the rear loading lip by 46 mm to improve loading. The rear tailgate/hatchback is power-operated, further improving convenience and ease of use.

A kick/sweep motion underneath the center of the rear bumper will also open/close the rear, handy should your hands be full carrying a large and bulky object.

DRIVE Select provides four modes of driving pleasure.

The sole powertrain available for the Philippine market is a 3.0 TDI V6 mated to quattro all-wheel drive and the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with tiptronic manual override control.

The engine has received a substantial power hike to 272 horsepower and 600 Newton-meters of torque. Combined with the weight loss, the all-new Q7 feels even more fleet-footed, livelier and more responsive than ever.

The reduction in weight also improved the Q7’s fuel efficiency. I recorded a modest 8.5 km per liter in city driving, and as much as 14 kpl out on the highway at semi-legal speeds. That’s an impressive figure considering the lighter Q7 still weighs in at 1,970 kg in 3.0 TDI quattro trim.

Not to be left behind, the Q7’s interior has been thoroughly designed to improve ease of use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit utilizes a 12.3-inch TFT display which can show a variety of engine and vehicle information, multimedia settings and route guidance for the GPS/satellite navigation system, which is new for the Philippine market.

The revised Audi MMI (multimedia interface) system now utilizes haptic feedback to improve usage while driving, providing both an audible sound as well as vibration through one’s fingers to confirm the selection of a function.

The revised MMI also uses a new-generation software that allows for a more intelligent voice command/control and search function between MMI and driver.

And because it is an Audi, renowned for designing the best interiors in the luxury segment, there are fewer buttons used to give the interior an overall classy and elegant ambiance.

Drive Select is available, providing four modes of driving pleasure: comfort, normal, dynamic and individual, which allows the driver to define his own combination of settings for the engine responsiveness, transmission responsiveness, steering effort and suspension firmness.

On the open road, the all-new Q7 is a massive leap from its predecessor, which is no mean feat in itself. It feels easier to handle, more eager and willing to be rushed and hustled, and thanks to the tweaked Audi Drive Select system, the dampers, even in dynamic mode, offers a surprisingly large amount of compliance, thus improving ride comfort.

The reduced weight makes the Q7 handier in cut-and-thrust traffic driving, which is a difficult task already given the Q7’s considerable size.

On a winding road, the Q7 flows and gels well. It’s noticeably sharper to drive than before, and the powerful brakes offer fade-free operation.

Modulation is excellent, although it takes some getting used to with the slightly over-assisted pedal.

I’d imagine the Q7 being perfectly comfortable on a great intercontinental highway like the Trans-European Motorway which stretches for almost 4,000 miles from Portugal to the Turkish border of Iran.

Now that would be a dream drive in an SUV as fast, as efficient, and as capable as the Audi Q7!

Lighter, safer, more powerful and more fuel efficient, Audi’s Q7 represents the new breed of full-size luxury SUVs that pack a technological tour de force matched with groundbreaking design, and most importantly, an exciting driving experience.

It stands as a technological titan among the competition.