Test new Audi Q7, lighter, more technological and more premium

Recently in ActualidadMotor We have had the opportunity to try two of the most important new products on the market. Both correspond to the Audi brand. The first of these novelties to pass through our hands was the Audi A4 2016, a C-segment sedan that is here to continue being the leader among premium sedans and that, of course, proved it to us with arguments. The second novelty is Listen Q7 second generation, a new iteration of the SUV with the four rings, which we will know today.

The Audi Q7 is already marketed in our country, but until now we had not had the opportunity to get behind the wheel. The German SUV is more loaded with technology than ever, with the intention of becoming one of the most outstanding models in its segment. It is slightly more compact and up to 325 kilos lighter than its predecessor. Its aesthetic leaves aside the rounded shapes to adopt more rectilinear lines that resemble the latest Audi models, although they make it lose part of its essence, that of that car with a gigantic appearance on the road.

A very neat interior

Access to the interior of the Audi Q7 is not complicated. Despite the fact that the seats are placed in a raised position, which then facilitates circulation, the floor of the passenger compartment in the front seats is practically flush with the door sill, making access much more comfortable, since it does not require lifting the leg so much. Once accommodated, we find ourselves sheltered by a raised central console where several vehicle control controls are brought together.

Everything is at the driver's hand and the truth is that it's intuitive once we locate all the buttons and their functions. The seats of the unit we tested have electric adjustment for everything, even allowing the petals of the bench and the back to be closed, as well as extending the bench. They are heated and ventilated with a massage function (with various settings). Arriving at your destination tired is absolutely prohibited with these seats.

In the rear seats the Audi Q7 also has a great amplitude In all its dimensions and even in width it can accommodate three people, although given the shapes of the seats, those at the two ends will be the most comfortable to travel with. facing the third row of seats optional, the Audi Q7 improves access and available space with respect to its predecessor, although they are not prepared for large people.

What is beyond any doubt in the Audi Q7 is the quality of finishes and assembly inland. All the plastics in the cabin are soft, even those at the bottom of the doors. Optionally, the dashboard can be upholstered in leather, achieving a much more elegant appearance for this high-end SUV.

Testing the new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 272 hp

During the national presentation to the press we had the opportunity to test the most powerful diesel alternative to the Audi Q7, which is also the most popular, the 3.0 TDI by 272 CV of power The Audi Q7 is the first model of the brand to make use of the new 3.0 V6 TDI Euro 6 engines, which in the less powerful version offer 218 CV of power.

This engine has always stood out for its refinement, and in the new Audi Q7 it is not otherwise. engine shown particularly quiet from the interior of the Audi Q7, perfectly soundproofed. Even in acceleration phases it has a sound that is even attractive. There is no type of vibration inside that comes from the mechanics.

All Audi Q7s are associated with a eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The box shows a very good operation, moving smoothly when we lift the brake foot and changing gears smoothly. The different driving modes of the Audi Q7 act, among other things, on the change, making it more reactive to the position of the accelerator and also faster in transitions. There is nothing to reproach.

With the Audi drive select in the Q7 other parameters are also modified, such as the direction or the suspension in this unit that has a pneumatic system. In normal use, the steering offers a soft and pleasant touch, ideal for driving in urban environments. Dynamic mode gives you more weight, and high-speed driving is a bit more precise.

The air suspension has a great influence on the behavior of the Audi Q7. It is very comfortable, since it absorbs irregularities without transmitting them to the passengers, but in Comfort and Auto modes it is very soft to attack curves. With Dynamic mode makes the suspension much firmer and controls rocking much better of the bodywork, making the car turn almost flat and less sensitive to understeer.

The organization took us through a stretch of mountain pass where we were able to check the dynamic qualities of the Audi Q7. It is not the most appropriate car for it, due to its weight and size, but the truth is that it moves with great agility, thanks to a very well calibrated steering and, in this case, to an air suspension that works very well in Dynamic mode. Optionally there is a rear axle steering system for the Q7.

The Audi Q7 in off-road driving

In the presentation, the organization had prepared a small off road route, without much difficulty but that will more than meet the expectations of almost all customers of the model, who are not used to leaving the asphalt and if they do it is in very simple areas. The most obvious problem of the Audi Q7 to circulate outside the asphalt are, without a doubt, its external dimensions. It is a large car and many times it is difficult to measure it, although proximity sensors or 360º vision through cameras can make it much easier for us to navigate through complicated sites.

Our unit was equipped with air suspension, with two specific modes for leaving the asphalt: Allroad and Offroad, the second being the one that raises the suspension the most in order to avoid impacts on the bottom and improve the angles of attack, departure and ventral. It is remarkable that even with the suspension in the highest position, it maintains good comfort levels, avoiding the dryness that other models have, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, in which it is easier to bump the suspension when riding in the highest position.

When making a crossroads, the Audi Q7 maintains its composure perfectly, braking the wheels that are in the air to avoid losing traction. When we face strong obstacles the box seems to slip a bit, but the car is able to climb without problems. The descent control also has a behavior effective and progressive.

Knowing the technology of the Audi Q7

The new Audi Q7 offers so much technology that it is impossible to put it all to the test even in a week of testing. For this reason, in the presentation to the press, the organization prepared several units to demonstrate the main technologies of the model.

We start by testing the assisted parking system, nothing new, but it has been perfected in the Audi Q7. If we go to park and get stuck, the car itself is capable of relocating and parking by itself in the chosen space. Park online and battery and is also capable of unparking. When leaving the parking lot, it has a cross-traffic alert, which warns us of the presence of vehicles and can stop the vehicle if a risk of collision is detected.

There was also time to test the automatic emergency braking system, which brakes the vehicle to avoid impacts or run over or, in the worst case, mitigate its effects. Another interesting feature is the exit warning assist. Through the blind spot warning lights and an audible warning, the car warns us if we are going to open the door (front or rear) and a car is going to pass by our side, avoiding the risk of collision and even being run over.

But the most fun and practical of all was the system of towing assistant. When we activate the Park Assist and we have the trailer connector hooked, the car will guide us in the maneuvers. Guided by the rear camera and the mirrors, we will indicate with the rotary dial of the MMI multimedia system where we want to go. The car will be in charge of moving the steering wheel, while we we will control the pedals and the joystick to park a trailer for the first time in our lives as if we had done it hundreds of times.

We were also able to learn about the technologies of the Audi Q7 at the infotainment level. We were able to see the operation of the Audi tablet, optional for the rear seats and that allow full interaction with various functions of the vehicle. These tablets have an Android operating system and can be used inside and outside the car like any other tablet. They are built with quality materials and are prepared for impacts in the event of an accident. The Audi Tablet has an approximate price of 1.000 euros per unit, although the ones are not expensive. possibilities they offer compared to competing systems (which are fixed) and less considering that the average customer of the Audi Q7 spends around 90.000 euros on his car.

We were able to learn about the operation of other systems such as Apple CarPlay (it also has Android Auto) or other functions such as the use of Google Maps and Street View for the browser.

Equipment Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 starts from a level of basic finish that does not have any specific denomination. As standard, all units include xenon headlights, Bluetooth, automatic city emergency braking, 18″ alloy wheels, electric tailgate, electric trunk lid, two-zone climate control, rain and light sensor, descent control and sensor. rear parking.

Optionally, you can use the Design and Sport finishes, the first more focused on offering comfort and functionality and the second on aesthetic appearance. The first offers electric front seats, mixed leather and leather upholstery, photosensitive interior and exterior mirrors, LED headlights with low-high beam assistant, electric folding mirrors, 19-inch alloy wheels, interior lighting package and City package.

The Sport finish offers a kit of S-Line bodywork and 20″ alloy wheels. It is complemented by LED headlights, photosensitive interior mirror, interior lighting package, electrically adjustable sports seats, Alcantara upholstery and a sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles.

Audi Q7 prices for Spain