New SQ7 - a piece of Audi magic
Test Drive by Graham Breeze
Every time Audi reveals a new model you wonder just how much better things can get – yet the German manufacturer always comes up with the goods.
And this time it comes in the shape of the SQ7 4.0 litre TDi, an example of Vorsprung durch Technik at it’s very best arriving in UK showrooms in August to go head-to-head with Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5.
It’s a step-up from the already impressive Q7 with a unique 4.0litre V8 diesel engine, featuring world first technology which produces 0-62 mph in 4.9seconds, and a top speed of 155mph while still achieving 40mpg and competitive CO2 emissions of 190g/km on 20inch wheels.
I know the figures don’t stack up and can they really be true I hear you ask. Well “yes” is the answer because Audi has revealed the first production car to incorporate advanced electric powered compressor technology (EPC) driven by a new 48volt electrical subsystem.
To a layman like myself EPC is an absolute mystery but believe me it works. It appears the new compressor augments the work of the two conventional sequential turbochargers to produce outstanding performance. I don’t fully understand the technology but I can vouch for the performance results, wow. And wow is not a word I use freely.
This is top-spec SUV motoring and a combination of seven-seat luxury and amazing performance pointing firmly in the direction of Range Rover Sport sales. Is it better than the Range Rover Sport you have seen me raving about I hear you ask? Well “yes” is the answer again and not only that it’s much cheaper.
Audi Valvelift System (AVS) also debuts in the diesel engine and the result is class leading power output of 435PS and 900Nm of torque with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and not a whisper of turbo-lag.
It’s a big car to drive and takes a bit of manoeuvring around the car park but the beautiful burbling of the 4.0litre engine makes you want to wind the windows down and point it out to passers-by.
On the open road it’s a very different story with more power than you will ever need and a choice of seven driving modes to keep you stuck to all types of surface and even a choice of exhaust sounds.
Off-road the SQ7 does all that’s asked of it but I would still have to plump for Range Rover Sport in this department if you twisted my arm.
Inside the cab is a place of real beauty, blessed with armchair comfort and Audi’s virtual cockpit instrument system and impressive connectivity levels. And the SQ7 is a genuine seven-seater, still boasting just about enough room for the golf clubs with the electrically operated rear seats in place. The back seats would be too claustrophobic for me though, but offering enough room for the kids.
Prices for the model on test started at just under £70,000 but you’ll need the leather S Sport seats and a paint job for an extra £2,675 while test car extras included 21inch alloys, a head-up display, tour pack, parking assistance, red brake callipers, advanced key entry, driver and passenger seat memory function, a driving sports pack, electric steering column, panoramic sunroof, sound system and phone box to take the price up to £95,000.
That means it’s dearer that the BMWX5 M50d and Porsche Cayenne S Diesel fiver-seaters but considerably cheaper than the Range Rover Sport 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography. And according to trade guide CAP the SQ7 will have the strongest residual value in class.
The debate between Range Rover and Audi lovers will go on but Audi just got nasty and moved the goalposts with the arrival of the SQ7 4.0litre TDi.
Test Drive by Graham Breeze
Every time Audi reveals a new model you wonder just how much better things can get – yet the German manufacturer always comes up with the goods.
And this time it comes in the shape of the SQ7 4.0 litre TDi, an example of Vorsprung durch Technik at it’s very best arriving in UK showrooms in August to go head-to-head with Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5.
It’s a step-up from the already impressive Q7 with a unique 4.0litre V8 diesel engine, featuring world first technology which produces 0-62 mph in 4.9seconds, and a top speed of 155mph while still achieving 40mpg and competitive CO2 emissions of 190g/km on 20inch wheels.
I know the figures don’t stack up and can they really be true I hear you ask. Well “yes” is the answer because Audi has revealed the first production car to incorporate advanced electric powered compressor technology (EPC) driven by a new 48volt electrical subsystem.
To a layman like myself EPC is an absolute mystery but believe me it works. It appears the new compressor augments the work of the two conventional sequential turbochargers to produce outstanding performance. I don’t fully understand the technology but I can vouch for the performance results, wow. And wow is not a word I use freely.
This is top-spec SUV motoring and a combination of seven-seat luxury and amazing performance pointing firmly in the direction of Range Rover Sport sales. Is it better than the Range Rover Sport you have seen me raving about I hear you ask? Well “yes” is the answer again and not only that it’s much cheaper.
Audi Valvelift System (AVS) also debuts in the diesel engine and the result is class leading power output of 435PS and 900Nm of torque with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and not a whisper of turbo-lag.
It’s a big car to drive and takes a bit of manoeuvring around the car park but the beautiful burbling of the 4.0litre engine makes you want to wind the windows down and point it out to passers-by.
On the open road it’s a very different story with more power than you will ever need and a choice of seven driving modes to keep you stuck to all types of surface and even a choice of exhaust sounds.
Off-road the SQ7 does all that’s asked of it but I would still have to plump for Range Rover Sport in this department if you twisted my arm.
Inside the cab is a place of real beauty, blessed with armchair comfort and Audi’s virtual cockpit instrument system and impressive connectivity levels. And the SQ7 is a genuine seven-seater, still boasting just about enough room for the golf clubs with the electrically operated rear seats in place. The back seats would be too claustrophobic for me though, but offering enough room for the kids.
Prices for the model on test started at just under £70,000 but you’ll need the leather S Sport seats and a paint job for an extra £2,675 while test car extras included 21inch alloys, a head-up display, tour pack, parking assistance, red brake callipers, advanced key entry, driver and passenger seat memory function, a driving sports pack, electric steering column, panoramic sunroof, sound system and phone box to take the price up to £95,000.
That means it’s dearer that the BMWX5 M50d and Porsche Cayenne S Diesel fiver-seaters but considerably cheaper than the Range Rover Sport 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography. And according to trade guide CAP the SQ7 will have the strongest residual value in class.
The debate between Range Rover and Audi lovers will go on but Audi just got nasty and moved the goalposts with the arrival of the SQ7 4.0litre TDi.
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