Audi Q7 PHEV

The Audi Q7 is a crossover SUV made by the German manufacturer Audi, unveiled in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of this seven-seater SUV began in November 2005 at the Volkswagen Bratislava Plant in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The Q7 was the first SUV sold by Audi and went on sale in 2006. Later, Audi's second SUV, the Q5, was unveiled as a 2009 model. Audi has since unveiled a third SUV model, the Q3, which went on sale in the third quarter of 2011, and a fourth SUV model, the Q2, which went on sale in November 2016. The Q7 shares a Volkswagen Group MLB platform and chassis with the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne and the Volkswagen Touareg.

The Q7 is the second largest vehicle from Audi, being surpassed by the Q6 since 2022. While the Q7 has been the flagship SUV in Audi's product portfolio, a top-of-the-line model with a lower roof, called the Audi Q8, was released in 2018.

It was one of the vehicles involved in the Volkswagen emissions scandal, with the company ordered to buy back some of the affected cars manufactured between 2009 and 2012. The Q7 is also subject to hundreds of NTSB complaints with many relating to potentially catastrophic engine failure issues, and a class-action lawsuit related to squealing brakes.

__TOC__

First generation (''Typ'' 4L; 2005)

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 permanent four-wheel drive system with a central locking differential, and a self-levelling air suspension with Continuous Damping Control, called adaptive air suspension, which helps in off-road situations.

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.

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.

IIHS

In the United States, the Q7 received five out of five stars () from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety test for both front and side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Q7 its Top Safety Pick 2009, with ''Good'' ratings in all 14 measured categories of the front and side impact test.

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 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 .9 g on a skid-pad.

The concept vehicle originally appeared at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

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 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission as standard. 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 8-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Second generation (''Typ'' 4M; 2015)

The second generation Audi Q7 was unveiled in January 2015 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The diesel- and petrol-powered versions were released for retail sales in 2015, followed shortly by diesel-powered plug-in hybrid variant, which is sold in Europe, but not in Canada.

In 2016 the BBC noted the Q7 as one of several models on the market which were too large to fit in a standard parking space.
File:Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro S-line (II) – Heckansicht, 3. Januar 2016, Düsseldorf.jpg, Rear view
File:2018 Audi Q7 TDi V6 Quattro 3.0 Interior.jpg, Interior

Q7 e-tron

The plug-in hybrid, called the Q7 e-tron TDI Quattro, is powered by a 3.0-litre TDI V6 turbo-diesel engine mated with an electric motor-generator placed in the 8-speed automatic gearbox to provide a maximum output power of and a maximum torque of four-wheel drive. An electronically controlled clutch can disconnect the V6 engine from the rest of the powertrain. The electric motor is powered by a 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery capable of delivering an all-electric range of . The Q7 e-tron produces emissions between 50 and 48 g/km, and has a fuel consumption of under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The ''Irish Independent'' found these official fuel economy claims to be completely unrealistic, although they noted that the they achieved in their tests to be "still exceptional for a large SUV like this". The Q7 e-tron accelerates from zero to in 6.2 seconds in hybrid mode, and in 6.5 seconds in all-electric mode. Its top speed in hybrid mode is and in electric mode.

Audi announced the Q7 e-tron TFSI at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show, developed specially for Asian markets (China, South Korea, Singapore and Japan). Its 2.0 TFSI and electric motor deliver and of system torque – enough to accelerate from 0 to in 5.9 seconds and for a top speed of . The standard consumption of 2.5 litres of fuel (94.1 US mpg) corresponds to emissions of less than 60 grams per kilometer (96.6 g/mi). All-electric range will be up to . Audi's marketing of the model has led to accusations of greenwashing.

Due to its large size and poor environmental record, Environmental Action Germany nominated the Q7 plug-in hybrid for their ''Goldener Geier'' (''Golden Vulture'') 2020 award.

Markets

The second generation of the Q7 is the first of the Q7 to be sold in Bangladesh.

The Q7 2.0 TFSI (1984 cc, ) is also available in the Russia, United States, Canada, India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

For Marvel Studios' '' Captain America: Civil War'' Audi debuted a commercial for the SQ7 directed by the Russo brothers featuring unreleased scenes from the car chase feature in the film as well as providing several SQ7 and other vehicles for the film.

2020 facelift

The Q7 was facelifted for the 2020 model year, introducing styling tweaks such as a redesigned grille, front and rear bumpers, new side sills, chrome trim for the tailgate and revised exhaust tips. It comes with two-tone paint as standard, which highlights the front splitter, side skirts, wheel arches and rear diffuser in anthracite, a range of mild-hybrid powertrains and refined chassis. Inside, Audi installed a new infotainment system with dual touchscreens. The dashboard and centre console were also updated to accommodate the new system.

LED headlights are included as standard, Matrix LEDs or HD Matrix LEDs and Audi Laser Light are offered as additional cost options. The HD Matrix LEDs and Audi Laser Light combine automatic controlled high beam with small laser module in each unit to double the range of the Q7's full beam.

Air suspension is included as standard (only on Prestige and Technik trims in US and Canada, respectively). Audi has also expanded the Q7's options list to include a new active roll-stabilisation system (only available on SQ7 Prestige and SQ7 in US and Canada, respectively). It provides active anti-roll bars, controlled by a 48-volt electric motor that automatically adjust to reflect the driving style and road conditions.

Three mild-hybrid 3.0-litre V6 powertrains are available, with the choice of two diesels and one petrol. The entry-level 45 TDI diesel produces and of torque with a claimed time of 7.1 seconds and a top speed of . Mid-range 50 TDI models produce and of torque, delivering a of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of . The 55 TFSI petrol model comes with and of torque, with a claimed 5.6 seconds and a electronically limited top speed. An eco-focused plug-in hybrid 55 TFSI e version will be introduced a few months after initial sales.

Audi also offers a performance-focused SQ7 version, powered by a 429BHP (that can be upgraded to max 650hp) 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel with of torque; it has a claimed time of 4.8 seconds and a limited top speed of . The US model will use a V8 engine with the same displacement (shared with the US-market SQ8), albeit fueled by petrol and producing and of torque; it went on sale in the second quarter of 2020.

Sales in the UK started from September 2019.

The SQ7 offers a TFSI variant with a 4.0 twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine delivers and of torque. It accelerates from within 4.3 seconds and on to a maximum speed of .

2024 facelift

Audi announced a second facelift in January 2024 for the 2024 model year, introducing further enhancement to the front and rear headlight design, whilst offering features such as HD Matrix LED headlights featuring a Laser high-beam and different lighting signatures, while the OLED rear lights feature their own new design.

Powertrains

Safety

Euro NCAP

IIHS

Sales

References

*

External links

Official website
(United Kingdom)

{{Modern North American Audi vehicles

Q7
Luxury sport utility vehicles
Luxury crossover sport utility vehicles
Mid-size sport utility vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Euro NCAP large off-road
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Cars introduced in 2005

2010s cars
2020s cars
Cars powered by VR engines
Vehicles with four-wheel steering
Diesel hybrid vehicles