2017 Audi Q7 3.0T : The driver's people mover - row Luxury Crossovers and SUVs - Automotive News

2017 Audi Q7 3.0T : The driver's people mover - row Luxury Crossovers and SUVs

Opting for a crossover practicality vehicle with a third sequence of benches typically represents dialing back the driving happiness. That isn't the subject with the new 2017 Audi Q7, however, thanks to significant heavines savings over its predecessor and a heaping segment of advanced technology. We've already explored the second-gen Q7' s profusions of facets and had our first experience behind the steering wheel. But now we've finally fastened our measure gear to one and can confirm that Audi's formula labours. Large-hearted time.

The Q7 rides on the Volkswagen Group's latest MLB II architecture and is said to be significantly lighter than before. Contributions to the diet include a high-strength sword formation mainly scalped with aluminum panels, voluminous sums of aluminum in the revised front and rear multilink suspension, and a standard eight-speed automated gearbox that integrates the Quattro all-wheel-drive system's move subject. Audi claims weight savings in excess of 700 pounds, but our scales told a more meagre story--our 3.0 T Prestige test car was only 270 pounds lighter than the previous 2011 model we measured. Still, the resulting betterments are significant.

Fleet Footed

Powering our Q7 was Audi's familiar supercharged 3.0 -liter gasoline V-6 developing 333 horsepower and a meaty 325 lb-ft of torque, the latter from simply 2900 rpm. The gas V-6 is a fantastic locomotive, with excellent reaction and an aggressive snarl. Despite the still-hefty 5080 pounds it had to move, the 3.0 T dashed to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and extended the quarter-mile in 14.2 at 99 mph -- 1.1 and 0.8 seconds quicker than before, and speedier than the BMW X5 xDrive3 5i and the new 2016 Volvo XC90. Aided by chunky 285/45 Goodyear Eagle Sport all-season tires on 20 -inch rotations, the Q7 circled the skidpad with an impressive 0.85 g of lateral control and chopped eight paws from the previous model's stopping recital , now registering a 70 -to-0-mph stop of 166 feet.

Although the second-gen Q7 is about the same overall summit as the original, it's slightly tidier in other features, and its proportions appear positively wagonlike on the street. The carlike notion carries over to its driving demeanor, with little pitch or rolling from the body and a nimbleness that belies its considerable mass. Along with Quattro all-wheel drive and a brake-based torque-vectoring organisation, our measure vehicle likewise had the $4000 Adaptive Chassis package, which contributes genuine four-wheel steer and adaptive air suspension with five different travel elevations. Audi's Drive Select also is included and adapts the suspension, locomotive, communication, and more via Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Allroad, Off-Road, and Individual mode settings.

Clever, Too

Whereas many big crossovers teeter and understeer through changes, the Q7 dives into angles and stands low-grade, flat, and arranged. Even when hustled through the tight mountain streets of our Southern California test route, the big-hearted Audi could be aggressively flung into switchbacks without get flustered, the four-wheel steer and chassis technology sorting out the various forces acting upon the car. Outward visibility is good, thanks to the relatively low cowl and thin mainstays. And the electric power steer is precise and well balanced, albeit short on feedback. But this is still a 2.5 -ton family hauler we' re talking about.

The Q7 will even do some of the dynamic work for you via its trick adaptive cruise power, which pairs with the sailing organisation and Google Maps to restraint and accelerate through upcoming angles and even lend slight steering inputs. This being an Audi, there's a bold, new trapezoidal grille flanked by the latest adaptive LED headlights, which utterly filled the road ahead with searing white-hot flare. Equally important, swapping from Dynamic to Auto or Comfort mode relaxes everything and manufactures for plush long-distance cruising.

The EPA has already been to officially frequency the new Q7, but we're expecting ratings close to 18 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. Hold our exhilaration during back-road detonations in the Audi, our said 17 mpg is lower than stellar. Your mileage will be better, and we'll revisit the Q7' s oil economy in precede tests.

Standing Apart

We'd too like to revisit our opinion of the Q7' s styling, which wasn't done any indulgences by our test example's Glacier White paint ($ 575 ). It didn't look bad, but the light-headed hue hid many of the design's numerous facets and cut-lines, attaining it appear preferably blobbish. We all concur, however, that the latest Audi's interior is a modern, excellent residence to sit, even if the power-folding third row is just greater than before and quite close-fisted for adults.

Highlighted by the Audi Virtual Cockpit's huge 12.3 -inch TFT configurable are presented in the assemble, as well as the latest MMI interface and a second 8.3 -inch screen that pops out of the scoot, the Q7' s room is a techno-wonder. The general ergonomics are very clever formerly you're familiar with them, and having the giant navigation display in the assemble is great for tackling challenging superhighways and negotiating unfamiliar arenas. Audi's fit and finish and attention to detail abide superb. And our test car's sumptuous wood trim and rich, Nougat Brown leather differed delicately with the hi-res presentations and fancy switchgear, establishing a private-jet sort of vibe.

Money, Money, Money

The 2017 Q7 emanates delicately equipped to start at $55,750 and is about six magnificent more than the previous 2015 version( "there werent" 2016 example ). The top-level Prestige trim ($ 9500) lends most of the cool boasts, including the Virtual Cockpit, "the worlds largest" center flaunt, a handwriting recognition touchpad for the MMI system, the LED headlights, heated and freshened front seats, a premium Bose audio system, head-up flaunt, four-zone climate control, and much more.

Along with the chassis and postponement modernizes, our test auto also included the $2400 Driver Assistance package( adaptive sail with full stop-and-go capability, lane-departure assistance, auto high-beams, and traffic-sign acknowledgment) and got a couple of other options for a sizable total of $72,875. But tolls can climb far higher with additional extras, such as massaging front seats, night vision, a Bang& Olufsen stereo with 23 speakers, and rear-seat entertainment.

The amply redesigned Volvo XC9 0 is the other fresh player in the Q7' s segment, and it's very nice and fairly roomy, but it's not as sharp to drive as the Audi. We'll have a comparison test dialed up soon, but Audi's infusion of lightness and technology has created one impressive parties hauler.

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Source      : Caranddriver.com