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A visually and
mechanically enhanced seven-seat Audi Q7 range which for the first time
incorporates an ultra-low emission, EU6-compliant TDI model opens for UK
order this week. Priced from £38,575 OTR, and due to reach its first
customers in July, the new range combines subtle styling revisions and
improved equipment for SE and S line models with advanced energy
recuperation technology that brings improved fuel economy and reduced
emissions for all versions.
The most important
advances benefiting the latest Q7 range are arguably to be found beneath
the reworked body, where a new 3.0-litre TDI engine incorporating the
world’s cleanest diesel technology uses an AdBlue additive to eradicate
virtually all harmful nitrous oxides from emissions, and already meets
stringent EU6 emissions applicable from 2014. Like the rest of the
engine range, including 3.6 FSI V6 and 4.2 FSI V8 direct injection
petrol units and mighty 4.2 TDI V8 and 6.0 TDI diesels, the new
high-tech 3.0-litre TDI unit is backed up by a new energy recovery
system which helps to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 5 g/km.
During braking and coasting phases the system converts mechanical energy
into electric energy via the alternator and stores it within the battery
to reduce the load on the engine.
An advanced version
of the common rail piezo injection system with 2,000 bar of pressure,
new combustion chamber sensors and a high-performance exhaust
recirculation system ensures a highly efficient combustion process in
the new TDI clean diesel. An innovative DeNOx catalytic converter
reduces the remaining nitrogen oxides. Just upstream of it, a pump
injects an additive named AdBlue into the hot exhaust flow, where this
solution decomposes into ammonia, which splits the nitrogen oxides into
harmless nitrogen and water. This additive is replenished by Audi
Centres during routine servicing.
Significant economy improvements
In Q7 3.0 TDI quattro models equipped with the new TDI ‘clean diesel’
unit backed up by the energy recuperation technology, a combined fuel
economy figure of 31.7mpg is achievable. The benefits of recuperation
are also particularly evident in the 4.2 TDI, which enjoys a fuel
economy boost from 25.5mpg to 28.5mpg, despite an increase in power for
the latest generation unit from 326PS to 340PS. The 6.0-litre, 500PS
Audi Q7 V12 TDI continues to rank as the world’s most powerful
diesel-powered SUV, and yet manages a wholly respectable economy figure
of 25.0mpg in the combined cycle test. In the petrol camp, the 3.6 FSI
V6 registers 23.3mpg, and the 4.2 FSI 22.2mpg.
Up to seven
occupants can be accommodated in the three rows of seats that are
included as standard. The seats in the second row are individually
adjustable for fore/aft movement, and both rear seat rows can be folded
flat to provide a load area of 2,035 litres if required, without the
seats having to be removed. If used as a 5-seater the Q7 boasts an
impressive load capacity of 775 litres. |
