The new Audi Q7, with its punchy engine and effortless bulk, makes for a great SUV, says Ouseph Chacko
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| High on the highway: The new Audi Q7 is one of the fastest SUVs on Indian roads at present |
Does an Audi Q7 really need more power? Answers, and the horizon, come flying at you the moment you give this newly introduced (in India) 4.2-litre V8 the beans. There’s a pause as the drivetrain prepares itself and all hell breaks loose. Where the 3.0 TDI gently presses you back into the seat, the 4.2 pins you down and holds you there till it is done shredding up the tarmac. It’ll max out at 240kph, and it’ll get there without breaking into a sweat.
That a 2.5-tonne SUV can behave like this is simply absurd and completely unexpected. There ought to be a warning sticker somewhere telling you to tie everything down before attempting an acceleration run in this beautiful behemoth. Zero to 100kph comes up in 6.5 seconds, it’ll growl past 150kph in 13.9 seconds and hit 200kph in under half a minute. It’s the quickest diesel SUV I’ve ever ridden in India so far. To experience this kind of performance elsewhere, you’ll have to drive two-seat sportscars, and they’re all petrol- powered.
Meet the 4.2 TDI, the reason for the hulking Q7’s rabbit-like behaviour. It’s a 90-degree V8, displacing all of 4134cc and making a peak torque of 77.5kgm all the way from 1750rpm to 3000rpm. It’s the reason for the Q7’s extra-long legs and the fact that it’s so refined (it’s probably one of the most refined diesels in India) only makes it all that more desirable.
I think I would even go as far as to say that it’s a nice-sounding diesel — stretch the imagination a bit and it does sound like a distant relative of an American V8 at times. Like the 3.0 TDI, this monster of an engine powers all four wheels through a rather quick- witted six-speed automatic, till there is a reason to slow down. And, despite its over-five-metre length, it has the ability to feel manageable from behind the wheel.
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It’s manageable because that air suspension goes a long way in keeping all that weight in check. Shove it into dynamic mode and you’ll be surprised to find that the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI can go around corners with aplomb. Yes, the steering isn’t the best and you do feel a lot of the weight, but the Quattro system and the tremendous grip make you forget about the load you have to work with. However, what I would have liked even more is a better ride. I’m saying this because even in comfort mode, the ride can be a bit lumpy.
The rest is the same. In fact, if it weren’t for the 4.2 TDI badging on the tailgate, you wouldn’t be able to tell it apart from its smaller-hearted sibling. Build quality is excellent, the interiors are of high standard, the seats are comfortable and there’s a lot of equipment — count in that massive sunroof, dual-zone climate control, MMI, DVD player, paddleshifts, leather seats, a refrigerator and a hard drive to store a good chunk of your music.
All this costs Rs 81 lakh on Mumbai roads, which is approximately Rs 11 lakh more than the similarly equipped Q7 3.0 TDI. This means all the extra money you are paying is for that beautiful engine. Is it worth it? Of course it is! The 4.2 TDI is smoother, a lot more effortless and, as a result, a lot nicer to drive. And, the look on performance saloon drivers’ faces as you leave them gawking at you speeding away, makes this Q7 absolutely priceless.
Spec check
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AUDI Q7 4.2 TDI
Price: Rs 81 lakh (on-road, Mumbai)
L/W/H: 5089/1983/1697-1772mm
Wheelbase: 3002mm
Kerb weight: 2450kg
Engine: 8-cyls in vee, 4134cc, common-rail, turbo-diesel/ front, longitudinal
Power: 340bhp at 4000rpm
Torque: 77.5kgm at 1750-3000rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed auto
Brakes (F/R): Ventilated discs
