ROAD TEST: Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro
By: Denis Droppa
Johannesburg - It’s about the space ... 'bout the space ... in big SUVs such as the Audi Q7, but the second-generation version has just arrived here slimmed and trimmed to make it more fleet-footed to drive.
Now more than 300kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to the extensive use of aluminium and other weightsaving materials, the new Q7 makes you feel like you're behind the wheel of a smaller car.
The suspension alone is more than 100kg lighter and this reduced unsprung weight plays an important factor in the big SUV's newly-improved agility, making this behemoth slice through corners and hustle through the suburbs with a sharper, more wallow-resistant feel than you’d expect for its size. Optionally it comes with four-wheel steering to tighten its turning circle and make it even more manoeuvrable.
It's the ride quality that really impresses though, and with optional air suspension the Q7 3.0 TDI quattro we tested delivered a royal ride, keeping passengers well insulated from the vagaries of potholes and bumps.
I haven't driven a Q7 with standard steel springs to compare the waftability and decide whether the extra money is worth it, but the R30 500 air suspension does also allow the vehicle to be raised for off-roading.
With a standard ground clearanc of 210mm the new Q7 is 50mm lower than its forerunner, which also plays a role in its improved
agility, but with air suspension it can be raised to a rock-straddling 245mm to make it a better offroad adventurer.
There's no low-range gear but the diesel engine provides oodles of hill-scaling grunt, while descent control helps prevent mishaps when driving down the other side.
Quattro drive provides grippy claws in both off- and on-road situations. Under normal driving there's a 40-60 front-rear power split to prevent excessive understeer, but if any wheel starts slipping the centre differential shunts up to 70percent to the front or 85 percent to the rear to bring things back into line. Electronic stability control lends additional traction, and it would take a dedicated effort by a foohardy driver to make this big SUV lose control.
INNER SPACE
The new Q7's now marginally smaller (37mm shorter and 15mm slimmer) but interior space has improved to make it the roomiest SUV in its market segment, according to Audi. I won't argue the point; it's truly a cavernous five-seater cabin with a bounteous 890 litre boot, expanding to 2075 litres with the back seats flipped down.
An optional third seating row can turn it into a seven-seater with a reduced 295 litre boot.
In styling the second-generation Q7 follows Audi's new 'edgy' look with its more geometrically-cut lines. It's cool and modern but restrained, and doesn't make any bold styling statement.
Inside it's much the same. Audi's typically fine finishes give the cabin a classy, upmarket flair with cool metals and soft-touch surfaces. It's very Bauhaus with its absence of ornamentation and our test car's silver and black-themed cabin had an austere high-tech look, but the Q7's also available with 'warmer' trim lines featuring earthier colours and wooden panelling.
A shot of modern glamour is provided by the optional 'virtual cockpit’ which was debuted in the new Audi TT. It replaces analogue instruments with a full-colour digital screen that offers a choice of views, for instance with the odo and speedo minimised against a panoramic navigation map.
The Q7's standard equipment package comes with two-zone climate control, reversing camera, an electronically-operated tailgate, cruise control (distance-sensing active cruise control is optional), and a fuel-saving start-stop system.
COSTLY EXTRAS
Also included is an MMI infotainment system with an 8.3 inch monitor that includes navigation and the ability to display emails from a cellphone (and read them aloud). The audio system provides several ways to interface music, including Bluetooth and two USB ports, but I found the process of saving favourite radio stations more complicated than it needed to be.
Some features that you'd expect to be standard for the R924 000 pricetag only come as optional, however: for instance the front seats are manually adjustable and you have to pay R8050 extra to have them electrically-powered, while the abovementioned virtual cockpit costs an added R8950. Options such as the sports front seats (23 850) and Matrix LED headlights (R38 500) take even more sizeable bites out of your budget (the car comes standard with xenon headlights).
Also optional is a rear-seat entertainment system featuring a removable Android tablet.
Under the Q7's bonnet is the latest incarnation of the well-liked three-litre V6 turbodiesel, now bumped up to 183kW and a mighty 600Nm. It's a gem of a powerplant with vast reserves of lag-free pace and gives this big SUV the ability to go toe-to-toe with hot hatches with its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.3 seconds. Top speed is pegged at 234km/h.
It's a notably smooth engine too - all trace of agricultural feel has been banished from this oil burner. The economy's good, and though way short of Audi's highly ambitious 5.7 litres per 100km claim, our test vehicle averaged a still-decent 9.9 litres.
Early in 2016 a second engine derivative with a 185kW/370Nm two-litre turbopetrol four will be added to the South African Q7 range.
VERDICT
The new Q7's weight-loss programme has transformed it into a sharper-handling SUV without any loss of space. Its classy cabin, gutsy engine and coaxing ride are other features that make it a firm contender for car-of-the-year awards. If only some of those pricey extra-cost options came standard, though.
It's sold with a five year or 100 000km maintenance plan, extendable to six years or 200 000km. - Star Motoring
FACTS
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro
Engine: 3-litre, V6 turbodiesel
Gearbox: 8-speed automatic
Power: 183kW @ 3250-4250rpm
Torque: 600Nm @ 1500-3000rpm
0-100km/h (claimed): 6.3 seconds
Top speed (claimed): 234km/h
Price: R924 000
Warranty: 2-year / unlimited km
Maintenance plan: 5-year / 100 000km
AUDI VS ITS RIVALS
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic (183kW/600Nm) - R924 000
BMW X5 xDrive30d (190kW/560Nm) - R925 694
Infiniti QX70 3.0d S Black (175kW/550Nm) - R875 000
Mercedes GLE 350d (190kW/620Nm) - R970 053
Porsche Cayenne diesel (180kW/550Nm) - R933 000
Volvo XC90 D5 AWD Momentum (165kW/470Nm) - R853 200
Follow Denis Droppa on Twitter @DenisDroppa