Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDI

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstD...DI/222264/




The Q7 V12 TDI has been developed by Audi’s quattro GmbH division – also responsible for the RS4 and RS6, as well as the mould-breaking R8. So, although the Q7 doesn’t receive the ‘R’ badge itself, it’s certainly in good company.

The 6.0-litre V12 diesel powerplant made its debut in the R8 TDI concept car earlier this year, and was inspired by the engine in the Le Mans winning R10 TDI racer. It’s based around the existing 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, sharing cylinder bore spacing but getting a 60-degree bank instead of its sibling’s 90-degrees.

It’s good for 493bhp at 3750rpm, with 737lb ft of torque from 1750 and 3250rpm – fearsome outputs even in a big four-wheel drive. For perspective, VW’s existing 5.0-litre V10 ‘unit injector’ engine pumps out 350bhp and 626lb ft, and no-one’s ever accused that of being short of shove…

What’s it like?
Given the V12 TDI Q7 tips the scales at a massive 2635kg, it’s acceleration is nothing short of spectacular. Audi claims it can dispatch 0-62mph in just 5.5sec. Top speed is electronically pegged to 155mph, but officials at quattro GmbH reckon the big seven-seater would haul beyond 180mph without the limiter.

Even more impressive, is a combined cycle economy average of 25mpg, which theoretically gives the Q7 V12 TDI a range of 550 miles. In the real world, and using the performance, that average plummets – enthusiastic use sees the trip computer showing a less impressive 12.3 mpg. Unlike many big capacity diesels, Audi’s new V12 sounds great when wound up with a heavy application of right foot, with an alluring combination of mechanical roar and exhaust blare.

As in all recent Audi models, the quattro four wheel drive system and Torsen centre differential has been set up to provide a nominal 40:60 front-to-rear drive split. And for something so vast in size, the Q7 is remarkably agile. The steering gets revised steering mapping and air spring settings, reducing the ride height by 5mm compared to the standard car, but retaining its 240mm ride height in lift mode.

The handling feels nose-heavy, unsurprising given the engine’s 300kg mass, but excellent body control helps the Q7 V12 TDI to disguise its enormous bulk. Braking is assured by massive 420mm (front) and 370mm (rear) carbon ceramic discs from the Bentley Continental GT, gripped by Brembo calipers from the RS6. 
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

Pity they didn't do anything to make it look a bit more attractive while they were shoehorning the lump in the front! 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

La, La, La, I'm not listening. Speed Limits! not where I live!

Back in a D3

Did have: RRS TDV8 2008.5MY
Did have: Q7 3.0TDi S-Line/Tech/Comms pack
Did Have: Disco3 HSE

12.3mpg out of a diesel though  

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award - Runner Up

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Tim in Scotland wrote:

Pity they didn't do anything to make it look a bit more attractive while they were shoehorning the lump in the front!

To quote a certain Mr Clarkson

"Why, after arriving late to the big SUV party do they then proceed to make it look like a hippo in a vice?"

Still, it's a good drive and that torque....  Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
Joint runner up - 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER - 2008 ‘Best Thread’ Award – Beautiful Women Of The World
Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
Runner Up - 2008’s Funniest Incident

06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

shmoogle wrote:

12.3mpg out of a diesel though

25mpg on average ................

Looking back at my RRS Supercharged or even the S4 cab - now way could I ever achieve that !

Further more - if I wellied the RRS everywhere the real mpg fell to 11mpg and theres no way on earth I could sea 7 people in the sport and ................ I havent seen a RRS supercharged achieve 5.5 for the 0 - 62mph either

It's still very big & ugly - I agree  
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

You're not going to get that car and then drive it like a vicar though are you? That being the case, why not just go and buy an SC or a Cayenne or a 4.8 X5? 

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award - Runner Up

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Its not for me .... I agree "S" .. but I guess those out there who need 7 seats for a zillion kids will find it suits their remit.

Whilst we're on Audis and engines - I see the new 3.0T [ but supercharged ] is now out. - it will replace the 3.2V6 and poss make the 4.2 seem a bad buy?

From Autocar
Don’t be fooled by the T attached to the new A6 3.0 T’s boot lid - the 3.0-litre engine sitting underneath the bonnet is, in fact, supercharged.

The new direct-injection petrol unit is a development of the existing naturally aspirated 3.2-litre V6, which it is set to replace right across the Audi line-up.

Running a fairly conservative 0.8bar of pressure, it develops 286bhp – some 59bhp shy of Audi’s existing 4.2-litre V8.

But with a generous 310lb ft torque available on a band of revs stretching all the way from 2500rpm through to 4850rpm, the A6 3.0T quattro’s 0-62mph acceleration and top speed matches that of the A6 4.2 quattro at 5.9sec and 155mph respectively.

-----------------
First drive data
How much?
Price as tested TBA
Price as tested £35,290
How fast?
0-62 mph 5.9 sec
Max speed 155 mph
How big?
Weight 1725 kg
How thirsty?
Combined 30.1 mpg
CO2 emissions 219 g/km
Engine
Layout V6 , 2995 cc
Max power 286 bhp at 4850 rpm
Max torque 310 lb ft at 2500 rpm 
" WITH MORE EXTRAS THAN A HOLLYWOOD EPIC "

Autocar also "outs" the new E Class "estate - coupe" (it looks like a large version of the Volvo C30 with a steeper sloping roofline) and it looks rather nice to me...................... one of the the few Merc's I do find attractive and could be just what I am looking for to replace the RRS in a couple of years if LRJ don't come up with the LRX or a lighter version of the RRS. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

I don't like it, but why can't LR do this sort of thing  Porsche Cayenne S Diesel 66 Plate

I want that engine

Tim in Scotland wrote:

Autocar also "outs" the new E Class "estate - coupe" (it looks like a large version of the Volvo C30 with a steeper sloping roofline) and it looks rather nice to me...................... one of the the few Merc's I do find attractive and could be just what I am looking for to replace the RRS in a couple of years if LRJ don't come up with the LRX or a lighter version of the RRS.

Remember the last 'Radical' car MB produced?

The resoundingly successful R-Class...  Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
Joint runner up - 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER - 2008 ‘Best Thread’ Award – Beautiful Women Of The World
Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
Runner Up - 2008’s Funniest Incident

06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

A neighbour has one of those  Porsche Cayenne S Diesel 66 Plate

Have you politely asked him to move yet?  Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
Joint runner up - 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER - 2008 ‘Best Thread’ Award – Beautiful Women Of The World
Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
Runner Up - 2008’s Funniest Incident

06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

I really like it.... Speed Limits! not where I live!

Back in a D3

Did have: RRS TDV8 2008.5MY
Did have: Q7 3.0TDi S-Line/Tech/Comms pack
Did Have: Disco3 HSE