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2007 Audi Q7 Preview Update

Audi Prepares a Refined SUV for the Upper Crust

The Audi Q7 just might be the industrys worst kept secret. Purposely, Audis advertising agency released three series of teasers, several staged "spy photos" and a hype-generating website, Audi is finally - and we mean it - ready to unwrap its new seven-seat Q7 sport utility vehicle. But aside from making the job of industry analysts just a little bit easier, Audis decision to force the Q7 into the spotlight has made it easy to track the development progression of its first sport utility vehicle.

While Audi is the pioneer of all-wheel drive for road cars, this will be its first official sport utility vehicle. The allroad quattro (lower case intentional) initially eased the Volkswagen-owned premium division into the sport utility crossover segment, with its plastic body cladding,

Purposely, Audis advertising agency released three series of teasers, several staged "spy photos" and a hype-generating website. (Photo: Audi of America)

air suspension and quattro all-wheel drive it was never a true SUV. And while the second-generation allroad will be making a return shortly, its still about as much a sport utility vehicle as the Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon or Volvos XC70.

The Q7 quattro is more or less the finished, production-ready version of the Pikes Peaks Quattro concept, introduced some three years ago. While consumers are starting to warm up to the new corporate schnozz, now fitted to all Audis bar the soon to be replaced TT sports

The Q7 quattro is more or less the finished, production-ready version of the Pikes Peaks Quattro concept, introduced some three years ago. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

coupe, it actually looks quite natural up front. Overall Q7 styling mimics the rest of the revised Audi range, particularly its roofline and shallow tailgate, though it differs by offering a higher metal to glass ratio than were used to seeing. From the rear three-quarters, it is a close match to the A6 Avant, with similarly shaped LED tail lamps and a coke-bottle beltline. Standard to the Q7 are 18-inch alloy wheels, although optional 19- and 20-inchers are available.


The reason for the Q7s late arrival to the premium sport utility market can be pinpointed to upper managements

The Q7 will indeed be related to the Touareg and Cayenne, however, its wheelbase has been stretched by 6.57 inches allowing enough space to incorporate a third row with adequate legroom. (Photo: Audi of America)

inability to decide which platform it should ride on. Originally it was supposed to be the third musketeer in the VW Touareg/Porsche Cayenne partnership, but Audis execs opted against the plan and instead insisted it be a seven-seat vehicle, which would need a unique platform underneath its stylish sheetmetal. In the end, the runabout resulted in compromise - the Q7 will indeed be related to the Touareg and Cayenne, however, its wheelbase has been stretched by 6.57 inches, allowing enough space to incorporate a third row with adequate legroom.

One goal that Audi set out to achieve was making the Q7 the largest premium sport utility vehicle on the market. At 200.2 inches long,

When used as a five-seater, as most owners will, the Q7 (Pikes Peak Concept shown) can carry a class-leading 27.4 cu ft of gear, and when second and third row are stowed away a gargantuan 71.9 cu ft becomes available. (Photo: Audi of America)

78.0 inches wide, 68.4 inches high and 118.2 inches in wheelbase, the Q7 not only casts a shadow over the Touareg and Cayenne, but key rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In fact, the Q7 is so large that it dwarfs Land Rovers new LR3 by 9.8 inches and the X5 by a gargantuan 16.5 inches. However, Audi may have played the timing right, as seven-seat rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz are just around the corner.

With all that extra space and three rows of seating, the Q7 just might be the most practical premium sport utility vehicle on the market. Audi claims that no less than 28 different seating and loading combinations can be made, a figure that shames most modern minivans. With clever packaging including second and third row seating which folds flat into the floor, luggage space is never at a

At higher speeds, the optional ride height adjustable air suspension system automatically lowers, reducing the center of gravity and coefficient of drag. (Photo: Audi of America)

premium. When used as a five-seater, as most owners will, the Q7 can carry a class-leading 27.4 cubic feet of gear, and when second and third row are stowed away a gargantuan 71.9 cubic feet becomes available.

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