Audi Covers New Ground With Q7 Luxury SUV

MILTON KEYNES, England, August 22 --

- First Audi foray into large off-road sector set for September Frankfurt Motor Show debut

- New Audi luxury all-terrain vehicle now ready for production, and scheduled to open for UK order in spring 2006 following its public debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show (Sep 15-25, 2005)

- Combines seven-seat practicality with quattro four-wheel-drive and variable height adaptive air suspension for genuine off-road capability

- Powered initially by 4.2-litre FSI V8 petrol (350PS) and 3.0 V6 TDI (233PS) engines

For the first time in its history, Audi is about to stamp its mark on the large Sport Utility Vehicle segment with the new Q7, an all new seven-seat all-terrain luxury car that will open for UK order in the spring of 2006.

September's Frankfurt Motor Show will be the location for the world public debut of this new departure for Audi, which combines the sophistication and technological input of the brand's acclaimed A8 flagship saloon with fully-fledged off-road capability delivered by a development of the famous Audi quattro four-wheel-drive system.

An overall length of 5,086 millimetres and a wheelbase of 3,002 millimetres (width: 1,983 mm / height 1,737 mm) enable the new Audi Q7 to offer class-leading interior space, and no less than 28 seating and loading configurations also guarantee exceptional versatility.

Up to seven occupants can be accommodated in three rows of seats. The seats in the second row are individually adjustable for fore/aft movement, and offer the most leg- room in this class. Both rear seat rows can be folded flat to provide a load area of 2,035 litres if required, without the seats having to be removed. If used as a 5-seater the Q7 boasts a load capacity of 775 litres - again unmatched in the class.

When the range is launched, Audi Q7 customers will have the choice of two powerful engines: the new 4.2-litre V8 with FSI petrol direct injection, developing 350PS and 440Nm of torque, and the supremely refined 3.0 TDI V6 with advanced piezo injection, delivering 233PS and 500 Nm. Both engines will transmit their power via six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission.

The Audi Q7 will naturally be equipped as standard with quattro permanent four-wheel drive. This latest incarnation is the product of 25-years-worth of evolution of the world-renowned system with which Audi revolutionised driving on road and rally stage, and which has featured in more than two million series-production Audi models.

Its Torsen centre differential, which conveys power to all four wheels on-road and off, is the very latest generation, shared with the Audi RS 4 quattro, and features a standard torque split of 40 : 60 (front / rear) that helps to optimise axle load distribution for even greater agility and steering precision.

With its chassis weight significantly reduced through the use of numerous aluminium components, and control maximised by a combination of electronically controlled damping and a dynamic roll stabilisation system, the Q7 will effectively disguise its dimensions on challenging roads. Independent coil sprung suspension with double wishbones at the front and rear and twin-tube shock absorbers will place the emphasis on sporty driving and superior comfort, even off the beaten track. It will also be possible to specify variable height adaptive air suspension for even more unruffled ride refinement on all surfaces.

The variable ground clearance of between 180mm and 240mm offered by the air suspension system will help the new Audi Q7 take the rough as much in its stride as the smooth. The off-road mode, with 205mm of clearance and adapted damper control, will be the perfect setting for cross-country driving.

Like the acclaimed Audi A6 and A8 models, the new Q7 will be equipped as standard with the innovative Multi Media Interface (MMI) operating concept that controls many major in-car functions. In the Q7 the system will be available with a variety of new optional extras, including Audi side assist with radar technology for lane-changing manoeuvres and the advanced parking system with optical/acoustic guidance and rear-view camera.

The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) will also include numerous new functions such as hill descent assist, a special off-road mode that optimises brake performance and traction on loose surfaces and a trailer stabilisation system that reduces the risk of fishtailing by means of targeted brake intervention.

Open for UK orders from spring 2006, the new Audi Q7 range will reach its first British customers in the third quarter of the year. The basic price for the Q7 3.0 TDI in Germany will be EUR 48,900 - UK prices will be confirmed nearer to the 2006 on-sale date.

Picture caption

Q7 Countdown - The new seven-seat Audi Q7 SUV is to be unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September. Set to reach the UK in the third quarter of 2006, the brand's first ever large luxury off-road vehicle will initially be powered by 4.2 V8 FSI (350PS) and 3.0 TDI (233PS) engines, and will offer genuine all-terrain agility helped by variable height adaptive air suspension.

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