Test drive Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro ultra, technological showcase

The Audi Q family keeps growing. Its top model so far is the Audi Q7, whose second generation hit the market a couple of years ago.

Now it goes through our test section with its smallest engine, a 3.0 TDI with the Ultra badge and 218 horsepower, with quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

The history of the Q7 goes back to 2005, when the first generation debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show, launching the Q family. The Q7 has always embodied the most technologically advanced features of the four-rings manufacturer, a spirit that has remained unchanged in this second generation, launched in 2015.

Exterior design, setting the pace

The new body of the Q7 brought a more pronounced design language, which has since been extended to the brand’s newer models. The Q7 keeps the SUV essence that has defined it since its beginnings, but its look is now more defined and more aggressive.

If there is one thing that stands out about the new Q7’s image, it is its front end, with a very strong presence thanks to the brand’s Singleframe grille, which in this second generation of the German model is built in three dimensions. From it, on the sides, rise the headlights, with a distinctive LED light signature.

In the lower part of the front end we find some decorative moldings that, depending on the equipment, house the radar transceivers for some comfort and safety functions of the vehicle. Everything is finished with taste and adjusted with great precision.

The side is possibly the area that has changed least from the first generation. The Q7 maintains its purpose of offering a large body with plenty of interior space, which requires quite specific lines. That is why the glazed surface keeps a shape very similar to the previous generation, although the wheel arches are more pronounced and a contrasting decorative molding has been installed at the bottom, visually enhancing the dynamic qualities of the whole.

The chrome window surrounds and the longitudinal roof bars are also retained, as is the tension line that starts at the front fender and ends at the rear light, running along the entire side and clearly marking the waistline of the vehicle. The mirrors have moved, now mounted on the door instead of the window, leaving room for a small window on the door.

It is still easily recognizable as a Audi
At the rear, some typical details of the Q family construction remain, such as the tailgate with integrated light clusters and, consequently, an additional light strip on the bumper. The design is, broadly speaking, quite similar to its predecessor, although all the lines have been sharpened, as on the rest of the car.

The rear lights now feature daytime running lights, with a shape similar to the front, also built with LED technology. The exhaust outlets -real ones- are now rectangular instead of rounded, fitting much better with the design language of a set that measures 5.05 meters long and 1.98 meters wide, with a variable height depending on the air suspension setting, if equipped.

Interior design, quality on all sides

Inside, the break with its predecessor’s cabin is total. The Q7, together with the new generation of the TT, led a new design era within the four-rings brand, with straight lines and minimalism as the main protagonists.

The previous dashboard design of the Q7, with a large dome running across the top and housing the elements available to the driver, has given way to a much flatter dashboard, with straight, simple lines that nevertheless retain great appeal thanks, above all, to the combination of different materials used in its construction.

The cabin of our Q7 is a showcase of Audi’s expertise in building interiors, a task in which, today, it stands above any rival except Porsche and Bentley. Every material is carefully chosen, every button or switch has a measured, extremely precise feel. It really is a delight to spend time inside.

Today, Audi interiors have no rivals among their competition.
The instrumentation is, together with the entertainment system screen –retractable, as it should be, not fixed or embedded like in most of its rivals-, the only elements that stand out from the dashboard. Well, the tweeters of the optional Bang&Olufsen sound system also appear when the vehicle starts, in an almost sensual movement.

A large ventilation grille runs across much of the dashboard, leading to a wooden trim in which the climate control knobs are installed, exquisitely built. All the buttons are installed logically, so you will not find any button or switch “scattered” or in a hidden location.

The wide central console also houses a good number of buttons, as well as the gear selector, the MMI with touchpad and the volume control dial. There are also two cup holders and a small tray for keys or coins. Finally, a split armrest that adjusts independently for driver and passenger.

The driving position is pleasant and futuristic. The steering wheel, flattened at the bottom -optional-, has a thick rim, wrapped in leather and perforated leather, as well as buttons on its spokes and small paddles on the back. The instrument cluster is the already familiar Audi Digital Cockpit, a large 12.3″ high-resolution screen capable of showing all kinds of information to the driver in a very visual and appealing way.

In addition, our unit was equipped with a windshield projection system Head-Up Display capable of showing certain data quickly and clearly, minimizing driver fatigue from having to focus on two different points -instruments and road- while driving.

Space on board the Q7 remains one of its main strengths. In the front seats we have, in addition to plenty of room both in width and height, sporty seats with electric adjustment and thigh extension. The second row offers three individual seats with independent longitudinal and backrest recline adjustment. A four-zone climate control with independent control for the rear seats is also available.

The third row of seats, optional, provides two additional seats. Using them is extremely easy, as they fold and unfold electrically. Access is through the second row, which has a mechanism to fold and slide the outer seats in order to improve access to the third row.

In the worst case, the boot offers 295 litres with all seats in use. With the third row folded away, boot capacity rises to 770 litres, and if the second row is also folded, the Q7 becomes a true storage room with more than 2,000 litres of capacity. The loading lip is now lower, and, provided it has air suspension, a system lowers the rear axle height to make loading and unloading easier. The tailgate comes standard with electric operation.

Dynamics, electronics at the driver’s service

The second generation of the Audi Q7 is built on a new modular platform called MLB Evo, a deep evolution of the MLB that the Volkswagen Group has used since 2007. The new MLB Evo is the same platform used by, for example, the Audi A4 and the Bentley Bentayga.

The biggest difference from the previous Q7 is in weight. The German giant has undergone a thorough slimming program that has resulted in a weight reduction of more than 300 kg compared with the same model of the previous generation, a weight loss that translates into better dynamics and more efficient consumption.

Our Q7 mounts the most modest engine of those available in the range of this gigantic German SUV. We are talking about a 3.0 TDI V6 engine with 218 CV and 500 NM, an engine that also carries the “Ultra” badge, reflecting its optimization in terms of consumption and emissions.

Paired with this powertrain is an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox with torque converter, an extremely smooth and well-calibrated transmission whose main virtue is that it goes almost unnoticed during normal driving. This transmission sends power to the wheels through a permanent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring, capable of varying the split across a range from 70:30 to 15:85.

With this engine the Q7 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 216 km/h. It is homologated at an average consumption of 5.8 litres/100 km, which becomes 6.3 litres/100 km in the urban cycle and 5.4 litres/100 km in the extra-urban cycle, all with emissions of 150 g/km CO2, meeting the Euro 6 standard thanks to an AdBlue injection system.

In real life, this engine, which on paper with “only” 220 CV may seem somewhat modest, performs excellently in any situation. It moves the whole vehicle with agility, never lacking strength, supported, as we have already mentioned, by the magnificent Tiptronic gearbox. As for consumption, the homologation figures are quite far from reality, although over 2,500 km of testing the on-board computer showed 8.5 litres/100 km, which we find quite good despite not matching the figures “on paper”.

The Q7 moves with great ease in virtually any situation. Comfort is beyond question, shining above all on long motorway journeys, when the Q7 shows its full potential, offering extremely good filtering and insulation.

In the city it can sometimes feel too bulky in certain situations, but that is logical considering the type of car it is. On winding roads the weight reduction mentioned above is very noticeable, but we cannot forget the type of car we are dealing with, over 2,000 kg generating inertia that must be controlled.

Technology, the absolute benchmark

The Q7’s technological offering is absolutely overwhelming. It should be said up front that many of the systems mentioned in this analysis are part of the enormous list of optional equipment. Fortunately, our unit had nearly everything, which allowed us to test their operation firsthand.

Starting with the chassis, this Q7 was equipped with the aforementioned adaptive air suspension, with 5 different height settings. These are linked to the Audi Drive Select driving mode system, so in addition to height, stiffness and damping are also modified. The braking system consists of self-ventilated discs on all four wheels, with 6-piston fixed calipers on the front axle.

In addition to the suspension system, the Q7 can be fitted with all-wheel steering, whereby the rear wheels can turn up to 5º in either direction, improving maneuverability at low speed and stability at higher speeds.

Of course, all kinds of driver assistance systems are included. The Q7 is already just one step away from autonomous driving, to the point that the combination of the Lane Assist lane-keeping system with adaptive cruise control along with blind-spot and traffic-jam assist systems (Traffic Jam Assist) results in an absolutely easy and controlled drive.

The amount of technology available is simply overwhelming.
We also cannot overlook another of the vehicle’s best systems, the Matrix LED lighting, which delivers maximum visibility in any situation. Thanks to the individual management of the various light modules in each headlight, the Q7 can activate high beam in almost any situation without dazzling other drivers.

In terms of comfort and entertainment, the Q7 once again stands as a benchmark in its segment. If earlier we spoke of Audi’s excellent craftsmanship in building interiors, we must reaffirm it when it comes to ambient lighting, an increasingly common feature in new vehicles, and one that in the Q7 is irresistibly appealing. Virtually every contour of the cabin is illuminated, either directly or indirectly, through LED strips whose colour and intensity we can configure to our liking.

Of course, the optional sound system by Bang&Olufsen deserves a separate mention. Made up of 23 speakers delivering a combined output of 1,900 W, the Q7’s cabin becomes a true concert hall. The sound is absolutely incredible. It is impossible to reach distortion when playing a quality track. You will stop hearing because your ears hurt, but the music keeps playing at the highest possible quality.

Range and versions: how much does the unit you see cost?

We are entering treacherous territory. Let’s take it step by step: the Q7 range currently starts at €63,690 for the Q7 3.0 TDI ultra quattro 218 CV, which then rises to €69,950 if you choose the Design or Sport trim lines. If you prefer the Black Edition line, you will have to pay at least €74,420.
The 3.0 TDI 272 CV engine prices start at €67,690, and the plug-in hybrid e-tron quattro variant at €84,620. At the top of the range, the SQ7 TDI, priced from €114,445.

Our unit has a base price of €69,950, but its final price is considerably higher, since the optional equipment list it carries is practically endless. Among the standout items are the Matrix LED headlights, servo-assisted door closing, 21-inch wheels, the Bang&Olufsen sound system, the full leather package with Alcantara for the roof and pillars, the panoramic roof, the third row of seats, the Audi Digital Cockpit, double-glazed front windows and the MMI Plus navigation system.

The result is that the nearly €70,000 starting price far exceeds €100,000 on the price list, in fact reaching around €120,000 in the end. That is roughly 20 million of the old pesetas for one of the most technologically advanced SUVs of the moment. It is up to each buyer to decide whether this amount is excessive or whether they are willing to pay it.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverAudi Q713 versions · from 86,940 €