What is it?
The 2011-model-year Audi Q7. In a bid to slash emissions and fuel consumption, while marginally improving performance, Ingolstadt has rung the changes under the big 4x4’s bonnet, and overhauled its transmission and four-wheel drive system too. There isn’t a single powertrain configuration carried over.
The most interesting addition to the Q7 range is a new petrol version powered by the same 3.0-litre V6 you’ll find in the S4 sports saloon. Fitted with two intercoolers, a supercharger and FSI direct injection, it produces 328bhp, as well as 325lb ft of torque between 2900- and 5300rpm.
As part of Audi’s engine downsizing program, this car replaces the 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol Q7. A slightly lower-strung 268bhp version running the same mechanical package will sit beneath this model, as a replacement for the 3.6-litre V6.
This Q7 also benefits from a concept called ‘downspeeding’ as well as ‘downsizing’: that’s Audi shorthand for fitting a torquier engine and a taller set of gear ratios.
Along with all of its rangemates, it gets an eight-speed automatic gearbox capable of full transmission lock-up even at urban speeds. The ‘box has a broad spread of ratios, and allows the car to cruise at lower engine revs than it might otherwise, improving emissions and economy without sacrificing performance.
The new Q7 also has a more efficient, self-lubricating low range transfer case for that new transmission, as well as a heat exchanger designed to scavenge heat from the engine’s cooling system to warm the gearbox oil up to operating temperature more quickly.
All of which makes this particular V6 Q7 19 per cent more frugal than the V8 it replaces, as well as quicker to 62mph.
What’s it like?
Smooth, quiet, spacious and substantial – and, at the same time, responsive. Mildly sporty even.
That eight-speed box is programmed to change up and hold onto its higher gears if you keep the selector lever in ‘D’. At motorway cruising speed, with no more than 2200rpm on the tacho, you’ll find the engine hushed and totally vibration free. Excellent insulation from wind and road noise completes a close-to flawless performance on refinement.
Move the gear lever into ‘S’ mode and that ‘box will immediately kick down into sixth. As the engine revs climb, that engine pours forth a song that doesn’t have the multi-layered appeal of a proper V8, but is free from supercharger whine and not unpleasant to listen to.
Throttle response is excellent throughout this engine’s rev range, and there’s enough flexibility of performance to pile on speed with as much urgency as any two-and-a-half tonne SUV really requires.
Our test car’s brakes didn’t seem as strong: if there’s one thing a car this size has to do to inspire confidence, it’s stop, and our test car required a firmer stab of the pedal than we were strictly comfortable with.
Considering its size and heft, the Q7 handles well. It’s more firmly suspended than most luxury SUVs, and has good body control, resisting the body roll and understeer that so often afflicts cars of this type particularly well.
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Re: Audi Q7 3.0 TFSi Quattro SE
Shouldn't somebody at Autocar be moderating these blogs? I suggest limiting entries to say 150 characters to stop them becoming increasingly boring.
Re: Audi Q7 3.0 TFSi Quattro SE
Ok I will try not to provoke another argument but I have often wondered what is cheaper to develop. A much more efficient and powerful engine or a lighter and stronger car that would not need such engine improvements in the first place to improve economy and performance.
I suppose the engine must be cheaper as you can plonk it in a series of models and you can only redesign a lighter body for a new model . However Audi used to lead the field in sleek low drag cars where the focus was on effiiency through weight loss . Think of the original Audi 100 and latterly the A2 . They have veered from this track I hope they find their way back to it soon then we can have the best of both worlds.
Frankly the A2 looks more modern and fresh than the A1 so they seem to be going backwards to me.
Actually Audi arent on their own on this as pretty much all new cars seem to be getting increasingly lardy and bigger mebbe its because we are as well .
Re: Audi Q7 3.0 TFSi Quattro SE
look chump, those economy and performance figures are broadly on a par - I never claimed they were identical, just in the same ballpark. don't understand what that means? it means that you spending your fading years hammering the `Google Search` button for decimal point variations on figures nobody but you cares about is a wholly meaningless exercise since the information varies from source to source and from car to car anyway. plus it'll make your arthritis worse.
i told you that my own experience of BMW's 3.0L engine in the 1990s was that it was easily capable of 30mpg plus and thus does not vary from the official figures. that said, you are arguing a point of variation yourself in the next paragraph, you massive dodo, so never mind my age - have you (re)applied for your licence yet?
the real problem here is not your text book old fart pernickety view of the world, but that the term `economical` applied to this Q7 is purely a matter of opinion, and you are such a rabid slave to all things German that it's pointless even asking what your opinion is - we already know it, because you keep bleating it. the Germans are best, the Germans are best, rinse, repeat etc.