Audi Q7 4.2 TDI 2007 Review

There's nothing like the freedom of driving on a de-restricted autobahn in Germany.

Coming from our embarrassing driving culture, it's nirvana to find perfect road surfaces, drivers who use their mirrors and observe lane discipline, and not having to worry if you're a couple of kays over the speed limit. But it's something else again when the fastest car on the autobahn is a 2.4-tonne diesel SUV.

Rocking along in the fast lane near Munich airport at an indicated 230km/h, the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is within shouting distance of its 236km/h top speed and still accelerating. In fact, its punch above 200km/h would shame many hot-hatches and sports sedans. That's what 760Nm will do for you.

The direct-injection, twin turbocharged V8 joins the 3.0-litre V6 TDI and 4.2-litre petrol V8 engines already available in the Q7. First used in the A8 limo, the 4.2-litre TDI has been further refined and now packs 110Nm more torque than the A8's version.

All 760Nm is available in a torque mesa from 1800-2500rpm. Peak power, 240kW, comes in at 3750rpm, nearly 1000rpm before the 4600rpm redline. But, like all good diesels, there's little point chasing the rev-limiter, as all the action happens in the mid-range.

Aside from offering ludicrous performance (0-100km/h in 6.4sec), the big diesel returns 11.1L/100km. Even with the throttle pedal welded to the firewall for most of our drive program, the Q7's trip computer was claiming average consumption of 12.8L/100km.

The grunt is channelled through a six-speed tiptronic auto with torque split 40 percent front, 60 percent rear. Despite the torrent of twist, the 'box delivers smooth and decisive shifts.

Throttle response from low rpm can be a bit snatchy, and heavy traffic and big throttle openings can confuse the gearbox, but on the whole it's a fine companion for the monster engine.

Audi's adaptive air suspension is standard on all 4.2-litre TDI Q7s. The system offers three modes - dynamic, comfort and automatic. Even on the smooth German backroads, dynamic mode is a little firm unless you're really pressing on. Comfort is indeed comfortable, even on the optional 21-inch wheels we tested (Aussie-spec 4.2 TDIs will come standard with 20-inch alloys).

But, in all honesty, there's no reason to switch out of the auto mode. It provides a cossetting ride in cruise mode or quickly switches to the firmer dynamic setting when you start to toss the big ship about.

Audi claims its Q7 4.2 TDI as the world's most powerful diesel engine in a SUV and while this is correct, it's soon to be usurped by an even more powerful diesel Q7. The Ingolstadt brand will unleash a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 TDI engine with 350kW and 1000Nm by year's end.

INSIDE
Inside, the interior remains unchanged from the Q7 which launched last year. That's no hardship though as quality is near perfect.

Still got money left in the bank after dropping $124K on your Q7 4.2 TDI? Then option the $11,000 Bang & Olufsen stereo upgrade. Before you gasp, it does deliver concert hall quality.

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