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The Q starts here
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Audi finally launches its Hulk Hogan sized SUV, the Q7, Mercedes and BMW have reason to be worried, says ASHISH MASIH
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MEAN BUSINESS The Q7 looks bigger than, and as aggressive as it is, but behind the wheel, feels like a compact, tidy ballet dancer
We forgive Audi for being late to the outsize SUV party. And this simply because its new representative, the debut Q7, is quite brilliant. Yes, chances are that the German car manufacturer has another winner on its hands.
Inside outside
For a start, the Q7 looks great. From the front this car is unmistakably an Audi - the huge grille and Audi's four-ring emblem sitting across it look the business. And it's huge too - which means a kind of road presence that'll probably give the competition multiple myocardial infarctions. But size and looks aren't the Q7's only forte. This mega SUV is well constructed too, with top-class materials featuring throughout. Incidentally, the Q7 shares a few bits with the VW Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne - not a bad thing, as both the other machines have a reputation for being utterly reliable.
The Q7's interior is one of the best we've seen. Made out of top-drawer materials, the level of fit and finish and attention to detail is to be seen to believe. There are design cues here that remind one of the A6 sedan - and that is not a bad idea at all. All controls fall easily to hand, so Audi's got the ergonomics plotted right - and the high seating produces a commanding view of the road ahead. Unlike the BMW X5, which seats only five, the Q7 seats seven and has space for luggage as well.
On the road, The Q7 when driven hard, is a surprisingly petite, tidy package; the steering quick and direct. Overall, the car imparts a feeling of confidence and nimble compactness - an engineering feat that will be a hard act to follow. Audi's now-famous Quattro all-wheel drive system has been set up with a strong rear bias and the ability of the air springs and dampers to stiffen themselves at will negates much of the weight of the car. Then there's the leech-like grip from four huge tyres, the superb push-button gear selectors behind the steering wheel and a fast-reacting auto `box completing the driver's package. True, BMW's ageing X5 still has the edge over the Audi when it comes to handling twisty roads - but remember, the Q7 is almost a full size larger.
Heart of the matter
Our test Q7 came with a 3,000cc, 230bhp diesel and with a power-to-weight ratio of a mere 99bhp per tonne. So it's time to thank God for all that torque and the six-speed auto that fortunately always has the right gear on hand. A hundred kph comes up in under nine seconds and we managed to crest 200kph, but if you want power, it's the 350bhp, 4,200cc FSI V8 you need to opt for. This direct injection petrol motor is a gem, probably one of the best medium- capacity V8s out there.
So if you're not hypersensitive about your fuel bills, this might be an option to consider.
With its independent suspension raised, this built-for-the-road SUV manages off-road conditions quite comfortably.
There is plenty of torque and if the need arises, the Audi can use a pseudo differential lock that utilises individual wheel braking. At all speeds, the Q7 is suitably hushed. Passengers will rarely be bothered by engine, wind or road noise, making the big Audi an extremely relaxing way to travel. In fact, it's as refined as many executive cars.
The bottomline
The price starts at around Rs 60 lakh. Not cheap by any standards but it's the perfect car for the exclusivity-seeking customer. And yes, there are oodles of technology on offer as well. There are no two ways about it; the Q7 is one of a kind.
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