The Audi Q7 SUV vehicle range has introduced a whole new concept in this particular niche in the market ever since production for this model began. But with the return of the 2011 Audi Q7 into the market, it welcomes a few new tricks into the foray to give the added oomph to an already impressive vehicle lineup. To learn whether this will become a dominant force in the industry, you can read more from the review below.
The expectations for the 2011 Audi Q7 are quite high. Therefore, the engineers and designers of this new model also increase their performance. On the exteriod end, this one is rather large for a crossover SUV. It comes with a longer wheelbase and can therefore accommodate up to 7 passengers overall. The exterior wheels range in size between 18 and 21 inches in size but it could largely depend on the trim level options. Other notable exterior features for this vehicle are heated sideview mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, two-tone or monochromatic exterior paints, and xenon headlights, to name a few. The bumpers for this model has been slightly varied to introduce a sleeker design to facilitate better air intake.
Exterior
Already a style leader, the 2011 Audi Q7 stays up to date with revised front and rear fascias and slick new LED running lights. Ground clearance and towing capacity are class competitive in the unlikely event they're called upon.
Interior
Like any good luxury SUV, the Audi Q7 features standard leather, wood trim, heated seats, multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control and a power tailgate. Second-row seat heaters and four-zone climate control are optional.
Performance & Handling
The Audi Q7 is almost a new vehicle for 2011 in terms of its performance. While the turbocharged diesel V-6 is a carryover, it is now mated to a new 8-speed transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive. The Q7's new supercharged gasoline V-6 produces 272 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque in the base model and 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft in S Line trim, mounted in both cases to the new 8-speed automatic and standard quattro.
Safety
Front and side airbags are standard for front seat passengers, as are side curtain airbags for all three rows. Side airbags for second-row passengers are optional. A host of stability technologies, including quattro, electronic stability control and traction control are all standard.
The base 3.0T's 272 hp can't quite match the old 3.6-liter V-6's 280 hp, but the 295 lb-ft of torque betters the 266 lb-ft offered by the previous, normally aspirated V-6. The slightly dulled reflexes of the lower-output 3.0T are still perfectly adequate for a people hauler - acceleration isn't neck-snapping, but you'll have no problem merging with traffic or passing dawdlers.
Both versions of the 3.0T are projected to use less fuel than the engines they replace, but exact EPA numbers are not yet available; the eight-speed automatic transmission alone is supposedly good for a 5 percent fuel economy gain.
What we don't yet know is the price difference between the two. Currently, $14,100 separates the base V-6 at $47,725 from the V-8 at $61,825, with the TDI nestled in between at $51,725.