Audi Q7 V12 TDI touches down

Audi's giant-killing V12 4WD has arrived in Australia, which is looking to dethrone the current kings of the performance SUV segment.

Vehicles such as the BMW X5 M, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Range Rover Sport, and Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG are all in the Audi Q7 V12 TDI's firing line, which has the highest output of any SUV in Australia -- 1000Nm.

Audi's monstrous 6.0-litre V12 engine develops 368kW of power and 1000Nm of torque at 1750rpm, which is 25 per cent more torque than the more expensive $277,800 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

Priced from $254,900 (not including government or delivery charges), Audi's uber-oiler takes advantage of many of the principles used in the triple Le Mans-winning Audi R10, yet still has room for seven passengers. It features what is claimed to be the first 2000-bar Bosch common-rail system, which makes use of 12 piezo injectors to deliver the fuel to the cylinders.

It should accelerate from 0-100km/h in around 5.5sec and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. For comparative purposes, the BMW X5 M's twin-turbo petrol V8 propels it to 100km/h from standstill in 4.7 seconds.

Along with a "sporty, sonorous sound" the Q7 V12 TDI comes standard with ceramic brakes, flared wheelarches, pronounced front and rear bodywork; the former getting prominent air inlets. Daytime running lights with 12 LEDs finish off the Q7 V12's confident look.

The interior benefits from an "advanced leather package" which includes decorative stitching on the instrument panel, centre console, the dash, door rails, door arm rests and handles, adding a high-grade luxury look and feel.

A high-end 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system also comes as standard on the range-topping high performance V12 model, delivering 1000 watts of output in the cabin.

Available in local showrooms now, the Audi V12 TDI heads up a new-look Q7 range for Australia which comprises "new accents at the front and rear" according to the German marque, which help deliver "revitalised visual impact".

Audi has made design changes to the tailgate and LED brake lights, plus new styling for the front grille and new look alloy wheels set the new models apart from their predecessors.

All told there are five models in the Q7 range (see below for pricing) with petrol and diesel V6 and V8 engine types in addition to the new V12 turbodiesel. All models come as standard with quattro all-wheel-drive systems and six-speed automatic transmissions.

Four new colour options have been added, and other changes to the range include altered instrument clusters, third generation MMI navigation/interface systems and more underbody protection.

Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro $254,900
Audi Q7 4.2 TDI quattro $127,900
Audi Q7 4.2 FSI quattro $122,600
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro $88,700
Audi Q7 3.6 FSI quattro $86,900