A new luxury standard
Brimming with new technology, the second-generation Audi Q7 raises the bar for the luxury crossover segment
Thesecond-generation Audi Q7 is an imposing vehicle from just about any perspective. It is large, but, as with a good book, appearances can be very deceptive. Such is the case with Audi’s largest crossover. The key is the latest Q7 is up to 325 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model. Any way you cut it, that’s a major step forward. Of course, the fact it is better looking and has a host of new technologies along for the ride makes it all the more appealing.
When it lands in December, as a 2016 model, it will do so with two 3.0-litre V6 engines — a supercharged gas engine and a turbocharged diesel (TDI). The gas engine produces 333 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque, which is enough power to waft the Q7 to 100 kilometres an hour in 6.1 seconds. The TDI develops 272 hp, 442 lb.-ft. of torque and takes 6.3 seconds to accomplish the same trick. The unspoken advantage is the TDI consumes a European average of 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres, which is 2.0 L/100 km less than its gas-powered counterpart.
More intriguing is the Q7 e-tron plug-in hybrid. It marries the TDI engine with an electric motor and a 17.3-kilowatt/hour lithium-ion battery. The combination delivers a net output of 373 hp and 516 lb.-ft.! This makes it the fastest of the bunch, dashing to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, while consuming a claimed 1.7 L/100 km in the process. It also boasts a 56-kilometre electric-only driving range. How can you not love a speedy fuel miser?
In all cases, the power is put to the pavement through a new eight-speed manumatic transmission and all four wheels. The transmission is now drive-by-wire, which means electronic shifting regardless of whether using the shifter or paddles. On the drive route, the new box worked to perfection — the ratios emphasized the sweetness of the engines by keeping them in a happy place and ready to pounce the instant the driver stabbed at the gas.
The quattro all-wheel-drive (one of the best around) sends 60 per cent of the torque to the rear wheels and 40 per cent to the front under normal driving conditions. However, it can transfer as much as 70 per cent to the front wheels and up to 85 per cent to the rears. It proved to be the model of civility, imparting a greater degree of control to the drive. It also employs a brake-based torque vectoring system — it slows the inside wheels, which turns the big Q7 into a corner with the feel of a much smaller, more athletic, ride.
The suspension and steering also contribute to the Q7’s dynamic appeal. Beyond the base suspension is an up-level adaptive damping system — it takes things to a much higher plane altogether. The combination of air springs and adaptive dampers delivers a cosseting ride while banishing body roll even as I flirted with the limit. It also alters the body’s attitude — on the highway, the body is lowered by up to 30 millimetres and it can be lifted by as much as 60 mm when heading off-road. Really? Is the owner of a new Q7 going to head off into the hinterland? I think not!
One of the new features is an all-wheel steering setup that can turn the rear wheels by as much as five degrees. At low speeds the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels, which chops one full metre off the turning circle. At higher speeds the rear wheels mirror the movement of the fronts, which amps up the response to input and brings better overall stability. It did feel a little eerie at first because it feels like the back end is sliding out at slow speeds. However, when the hairpins beckoned it was remarkable just how quickly the Q7 turned in and hugged the curb. As I say, it felt like a much smaller car, which was very reassuring.
Everything can be tailored through Audi drive select. It allows the driver to pick one of seven modes — efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, individual, all-road and lift/ off-road. When equipped to the nines it alters the shift pattern, throttle response, suspension and steering to suit the situation. Frankly, I could live with three modes — comfort (for city driving), dynamic (when a twisty road beckons) and individual — it allows the driver to pick some dynamic aspects while retaining a few of the softer settings.
Inside, the Q7’s abilities continue — the list of technology, especially the driverassistance systems, is way too long to list so I will keep it to the highlights. Audi’s MMI (multimedia interface) is the most benign infotainment system in the segment, and simply because it can be negotiated without a PhD in computer babble. The ability to use simplified voice commands and scribe instructions on a large touchpad helps matters enormously. The optional MMI navigation and its picture-perfect 12.3-inch TFT display puts everything the driver needs, up to and including the map, behind the steering wheel where it’s easy to glean the information without suffering information overload. There are a number of different ways of presenting the information — I loved the look with the map taking pride of place.
Another very cool feature is the ability to back a trailer up without using the steering wheel. Once engaged, the driver watches the rear-view camera and turns the MMI control knob to direct the trailer where desired. To be honest I cannot back a trailer up to save my life (I usually end up unhitching it and heaving it around by hand!). I could do just about anything with this system — it is that easy.
The other interesting feature is traffic jam assistant. Along with the adaptive cruise control with stop and go (it brakes and accelerates for the driver) it looks after steering control if the traffic is not moving faster than 65 km/h. It is a precursor to fully automated driving.
The current Q7 enjoys more than its fair share of admirers. The second-gen takes all of the likable traits and amps them up appreciably — it has much better driving dynamics, better economy (up to 28 per cent better for the 3.0L gas engine), more comfort and one of the slickest instrument clusters available. In the end it sets a new standard for the luxury crossover segment.
The second-gen Q7 takes all of the likable traits and amps them up