Less is (a lot) more

The new Audi Q7 is light years ahead of the model it replaces, as Paul Acres discovers

Less is more

Paul Acres drives the new Audi Q7 and finds that it’s light years ahead of the model it replaces

Q7 3.0 TDI quattro S line 218 PS tiptronic

Audi’s latest Q7, despite being smaller, and a not inconsequential 325kg lighter, than the model it replaces is an imposing beast.

The huge grille that now dominates the front end must force other drivers to gulp nervously when they see it looming large in their rear view mirrors which is why it’s more important than ever to give a warm smile and friendly wave as you pass to show that the poor reputation of Audi drivers is completely unfounded.

The front headlamps, which are more typically understated in the design, are accentuated with cleverly styled running lights. The rear lights mirror the shape of those at the front, while the profile is reassuringly familiar. You could interpret that to mean a little uninspiring – it’s a profile that is shares with the smaller Q3 and Q5 after all – and that wouldn’t be too wide of the mark.

Climb inside and, to be honest, you’ll stop caring what the outside looks like. It’s understated luxury done properly. The brushed metal highlights, leather seats and steering wheel and suedette door linings combine in subtle ways to create an environment that just begs to be touched, prodded and stroked, although I draw the line at fondling.

Even the soft-touch plastics, where they’re used, feel head and shoulders above anything you’ll find in rivals’ offerings.

The cabin has been, as you have every right to expect in an Audi, beautifully put together. All that luxury would mean nothing if the necessary craftsmanship to screw it together properly was missing but once again the German marque has demonstrated excellent attention to detail.

The cabin is a minimalist’s dream made real. Controls are kept to a minimum and, those that do exist, are beautifully placed to make them both easy to find and easy to operate. What Audi does so well is strike the perfect balance between physical controls and touchscreen (or in this case, trackpad) interface.

The 8.3in screen rises out of the top of the dashboard when you start the engine. To interact with it Audi have provided a clickable trackpad positioned just in front of the gear selector. It’s no different in form or function to one you’d find on a laptop.

It allows to navigate through the on-screen functions as well as program the sat nav using handwriting recognition. It’s one of the easiest methods for entering information I’ve encountered and it works flawlessly.

The cabin’s real piece de resistance – at least from the driver’s perspective – is the superb virtual cockpit. It replaces the usual dials and gauges with a full-width 12.3in TFT display and it is gorgeous.

In default mode it looks just like any other instrument binnacle – apart from the virtual bit of course – with the usual array of gauges and dials on show. However, Press and button on the steering wheel and that all changes.

The dials are minimised to make way for the sat nav display – my favourite use – or any other number of options. Coupled with the excellent