}} The Q7 (internally designated
Typ 4L) utilizes a modified version of the
Volkswagen Group PL71 platform. Previewed by 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". Development began in 2002 under the code AU 716, primarily focused on the Pikes Peak Concept. Design work was frozen for the Concept in July 2002, for presentation at the
North American International Auto Show in January 2003. Following the introduction of the concept, full-scale development began on Typ 4L of the PL71 platform. The production design was frozen in late 2003, for a late 2005 start of production. Prototypes went into testing in 2004, with development concluding in the first half of 2005. It introduced the world's only series production passenger car
V12 TDI diesel engine.
Giles Smith, writing for
the Guardian described the first-generation Q7 as "the SUV that dwarfs everybody else's SUV." Writing for
the Observer, Martin Love described the interior as "a master class in luxury" whilst calling the Q7 "vast, whale-like, bloated ... it's the Lurch of the hard shoulder, a gas-guzzling Zeppelin" and saying "clearly those who buy SUVs couldn't give a monkey's about petrol consumption, but responsible makers such as Audi need to protect these people from themselves." In
the Sunday Times, Gavin Conway called the Q7 "vast and intimidating" and said "the whole cabin feels expensively made out of high-quality materials" before noting the lack of space in the third row of seats compared to similar cars from other manufacturers. Although lacking a low-range transfer case, it has a Quattro
permanent four-wheel drive system with a Torsen self-locking central
differential which provides an asymmetric 42/58 front-to-rear torque split. A
self-levelling air suspension with
Continuous Damping Control, called
adaptive air suspension, which helps in
off-road situations is also available. As part of the
Volkswagen emissions scandal, the car featured software that allowed it to cheat at emissions tests, giving the impression that it emitted far-less harmful
nitrogen oxide pollution that it actually does. on Audi Q7
Powertrain 0– performance for Q7 3.6
VR6 FSI is 8.5 s, 4.2
V8 FSI is 7.4 s and for 5.9
V12 TDI is 5.5 s.
Safety Despite its multiple airbags and safety electronics, such as
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), the Q7 scored four stars out of five () 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.
The Guardian noted that "because of its size and wadded insulation, the Q7 provides its driver with a spectacularly complete illusion of safety" before noting that SUVs are more likely to get into crashes, especially rollovers. The 2015 Q7 has a
rollover risk of 18.5%.
North American models It was first released as 2007 model, with Q7 4.2 quattro available at launch.
Q7 hybrid (2005) The Q7 hybrid is a concept vehicle using the engine from the 4.2 FSI with an electric motor to provide extra torque, and nickel-metal hydride battery. It has 0– acceleration time of 6.8 seconds. The vehicle weighs , 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 (2010) The Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel is a version of the 3.0
V6 TDI with
selective catalytic reduction. The engine was later used in the next generation of the Q7 for the European market. The 3.0-litre TDI S line can accelerate from in 8.4 seconds and has a top speed of . US models of the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI Premium went on sale in 2009–15 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 at the
2007 Geneva Motor Show. The production version went on sale in the middle of 2007.
Q7 V12 TDI (2008–2012) The
V12 TDI engine was "based" on the diesel technology from
Audi R10 TDI race car, though both engines are completely unrelated: the bore / stroke / angle of the blocks are different and they do not share a single significant component. The only twelve-cylinder diesel engine used in any passenger car, it was rated at and of torque. This gives the vehicle a acceleration time of 5.5 seconds. The Q7 V12 TDI is, according to Audi, the best handling Q7 due to a revised suspension, tires and brakes. Audi claims the Q7 V12 TDI can handle a lateral acceleration of over 0.9 g on a skid-pad. Information about the appearance of this version was revealed shortly before the
2006 Paris Motor Show, but the white concept was actually shown in 2007
Detroit. The actual concept differed from the first renderings and anticipated elements that appeared on the 2010 facelift - LED front and rear lights; but the new headlights were not installed on the V12 facelift. Audi had announced
V12 diesel version for the US market using diesel emission treatment technology jointly developed with Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz under the label "BlueTec". Audi cancelled the plan to federalize the Q7
V12 TDI for the US market due in part to the
2008 financial crisis. This V12 version is no longer available for the model year 2013 in anticipation of the cosmetic and mechanical update of Q7 for 2014. The auto listing websites, mobile.de and autoscout24.de, have shown the 2012 model year availability of V12 version.
Audi Q7 coastline (2008) The Audi Q7 coastline is a concept version of the Q7 V12 TDI that features an Inuit white interior with wood decoration. The design theme was inspired by luxury yachts. The vehicle was unveiled at the
2008 Geneva Motor Show.
Facelift (2010–2015) The vehicle was unveiled at the 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 colours, 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 colour choices, new trim, and the third generation
MMI control system.
Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro (2009–2015) 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 heavier. Per the Popular Mechanics Oct 2009 issue, at 72.5 mph with an RPM of 2,200–2,500 (the sweet spot of the top 6th gear), the car achieved a 29.6 MPG of diesel. The 8-speed transmission, available 2011 and later, was 11–14% more fuel-efficient than the previous 6-speed transmission (available since 2009–2010 model year) in U.S. models.
Q7 2011 A brand new facelift brought optional
LED headlights, an 8-speed transmission, start/stop fuel-saving technology, CO2 rating reduced to 195 g/km, and a wraparound tailgate design. Also, more flat and metallic colours became available and 21-inch titanium-effect wheels became an optional extra. Certain models achieved upwards of 37 MPG IMP. The 3.6 L V6 and 4.2 L V8 petrol engines, both of which are naturally aspirated, have been replaced by 3.0 L supercharged V6 petrol engines. One of the supercharged engines puts out and of torque. The other engine, also found in the Audi S4 and Audi S5 Cabrio, puts out and of torque is used in the S-line Prestige Q7. Both engines have the same fuel economy.
Q7 2012 Audi added their new Audi Connect to the MMI system, which adds internet-driven POI search, via user input or the voice control system, as well as access to online services delivering local fuel prices, news, weather and other information. Audi Connect also offers in-car WiFi connectivity for up to 8 devices. 2012 was the last model year for the V12 version.
US models The vehicles were introduced in 2006 as 2007 models. Available models include 3.6 FSI Quattro and 4.2 FSI Quattro. Changes include standard LED taillights with available LED turn signals and daytime running lights and SIRIUS traffic system. The production version went on sale in July 2006. For 2011, the 3.6 FSI and 4.2 FSI engines were replaced by two 3.0 L TFSI supercharged engines. The base version develops ( for 2012) and of torque, while the S-Line has and of torque. The V12 Diesel engine is not available in the United States.
Powertrain Transmission All models include a 6-speed Tiptronic
automatic transmission as standard which is made by
Aisin and is shared with the
Porsche Cayenne and
Volkswagen Touareg. A 6-speed manual transmission was offered only in Europe on the first generation Q7 with the 3.6-litre engine. From 2010 (2011 model year in the U.S.), the
Aisin–Toyota 8-speed automatic transmission is standard. == Second generation (
Typ 4M; 2015)==