The Audi Q7 gets a few choice upgrades in its home market of Germany, including a few new engines and an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. The upgraded Q7 doesn’t benefit from any new sheetmetal, though Audi has seen fit to put the S4′s supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 to good use under the hood of its behemoth SUV. Available in two states of tune, the blown V6 puts out 272 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in the base version, and the upgraded mill produces the same 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque as its sports sedan sibling.

A new 3.0-liter TDI is also available for the 2011 model year, delivering 240 hp and a more-than-adequate 406 lb-ft of twist from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. Not only does the new diesel deliver respectable performance times (0-60 in 7.9 seconds) and above average fuel economy, but the weight of the oilburner has been reduced by 44 pounds. There’s no word on whether this transmission is bound for the U.S. market in the near future, but we’d suspect Stateside Q7s will benefit from the new ‘box by the end of the year.

The gasoline V6 TFSI will also be available here in both 272 and 333 hp flavors beginning in November 2010.

The Audi Q7:

The Q7 is the large Audi for the sporty individualist – the high-performance SUV for sport, leisure, family and business. Now Audi has made it even more powerful and efficient, with a choice of three new V6 engines and an 8-speed tiptronic transmission. The two gasoline engines, both V6 units but with different power outputs, are new, and so is the second-generation V6 TDI. A mighty V8 diesel completes the range. All the engines for the Q7 combine two technologies: forced induction and direct fuel injection.

Two versions of the supercharged V6 are available. The basic version develops 200 kW (272 hp) and has a maximum torque of 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) over a broad engine-speed range from 2,250 to 4,750 rpm. It accelerates the Q7 in 7.9 seconds from a standing start to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and gives it a top speed of 222 km/h (137.94 mph), or 225 km/h (139.81 mph) with adaptive air suspension. Both versions of the 3.0 TFSI are impressively efficient: in the EU fuel consumption test cycle they are content with 10.7 liters per 100 kilometers (21.98 US mpg). Compared with the previous engines, the 3.6 FSI and the 4.2 FSI, fuel consumption has been reduced by 1.4 and 2.0 l/100 km – 12 and 16 percent respectively.

The second-generation 3.0 TDI, a new development, has effectively nothing in common with its predecessor – apart from plenty of power! It has a rated output of 176 kW (240 hp) and a constant 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque all the way from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. This V6 diesel accelerates the Q7 from a standstill to a typical main-road speed of 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 7.9 seconds and reaches its top speed at 215 km/h (133.59 mph) or, with adaptive air suspension, 218 km/h (135.46 mph). Its fuel consumption is impressively low, averaging 7.4 liters per 100 km (31.79 US mpg), which is equivalent to CO2 emissions of 195 grams per kilometer (313.82 g/mile). This is an improvement of 1.7 l/100 km or 19 percent. The 3.0 TDI clean diesel also develops 176 kW (240 hp) and has an impressive 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque between 2,000 and 2,250 rpm. It takes the Q7 from a standstill up to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.1 seconds and gives it a top speed of 215 km/h (133.59 mph), or 218 km/h (135.46 mph) with adaptive air suspension. Its average fuel consumption is 8.4 liters per 100 km (28.00 US mpg).

The chassis:

The Q7 is one of those personalities who are at home wherever they may be. On the road it excels with its precise, sporty handling, and where the hardtop surface ends it demonstrates impressive offroad characteristics. The wheel bearings have been optimized to reduce friction. The servotronic steering varies the degree of power assistance according to the vehicle’s speed.

The optional adaptive air suspension (standard on the Q7 4.2 TDI and Q7 V12 TDI) with electronic shock absorber control varies the ride height to suit the actual situation. On a high-speed road it lowers the body for enhanced stability and lower fuel consumption. Across rough terrain it raises the body if a button is pressed. At the standard MMI terminal the driver can choose between five operating modes: comfort, automatic, dynamic, offroad and lift. The adaptive air suspension is also available as a dynamic S line version. The ESP stabilization program includes an off-road mode as standard that gives priority to traction on a loose surface. And when the driver encounters a steep downhill slope off-road, the hill descent assist is a useful aid.

Design and body:

The design of the Q7 stands for power and presence; it is the visual expression of this large SUV’s character. The outlines are sporty, strong and elegant. The Audi Q7 is 5.09 meters (16.70 ft) long, 1.98 meters (6.50 ft) wide and 1.74 meters (5.71 ft) high. Its wheelbase of 3 meters (9.84 ft) creates a luxurious amount of space inside. The front-end styling is dominated by the large singleframe grille with chromed surround, and the headlamps. As an optional extra Audi can supply a xenon plus version with LED daytime driving lights and LED flashers, and also an adaptive light version with integrated turning and cornering lights as well as the low, full and highway beams.

The Audi Q7 always leaves the assembly line with a high-gloss package. Optional extras are the black styling package or the aluminum-look exterior package, which consists of an all-round chrome trim strip on the bumpers, door capping strips and door handles, and gives the Q7 even greater sophistication.

The interior:

The Q7 sets standards for flexibility: no fewer than 27 seat configurations are possible. Depending on the wishes of the customer, Audi can supply its large SUV as a five-, six- or seven-seat version. This last version has comfortable single rear seats and a third row of seats at the back for occupants up to 1.60 meters (5.25 ft ) tall. For the driver and front passenger there is a choice of three seat versions: standard seats, electrically adjustable sport seats and climatized luxury seats that can be both heated and ventilated. The elegant lines of the interior, with many restrained details, communicate the typical feeling of wellbeing that the Audi driver or passenger enjoys. The S line sports package uses cool black throughout the interior, with subtle accents in the trim and upholstery. Among the items it includes are sports suspension and 20-inch wheels.

Equipment and trim:

The Audi Q7 comes with an opulent array of standard equipment features, including two-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning, high-beam assistant, an MMI radio operating system complete with audio system and eight speakers, a double load floor in the cargo area with storage compartment and a dirt tray. Roof rails are also fitted. In the infotainment area Audi also offers a complete modular system. The top-of-the-line version has an integral hard disk drive for navigation, music, and telephone data, a color monitor with 3D graphics, a DVD player, and voice control. It can be expanded into a luxury media center with features such as a Bluetooth telephone, TV tuner, digital radio tuner, plus rear seat entertainment. A special highlight is the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen with its 14 channels, 1,000 watts of power and 14 speakers. In the cockpit area two acoustic lenses reproduce the treble frequencies; when the system is started, they extend out of the dash panel.

The Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro: the most powerful diesel SUV in the world

The Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro is the most powerful diesel SUV in the world. Its 6-liter twelve-cylinder TDI engine develops 368 kW (500 hp) and delivers 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque between 1,750 and 3,250 rpm to the six-speed tiptronic transmission. With a time of just 5.5 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph), the Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro matches the performance of a powerful sports car, but is content with a fuel consumption of only 11.3 liters per 100 kilometers (20.82 US mpg). The luxurious standard equipment specification of the Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro includes 20-inch wheels, Audi ceramic brakes, xenon plus headlights, adaptive air suspension, a Bose sound system, sport seats and many other features. The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany.