The German luxury automaker – Audi – is one of the most favorite car brands among Bollywood celebrities. The company has started its Indian operations with Q7 premium SUV and A8 luxury saloon that turned out to be a great success for the automaker. We have several Audi luxury cars in India, but among all the Q7 is one of the most popular Bollywood stars cars, which is owned by Arshad Warsi, Bipasa Basu, Deepika Padukone, Emraan Hashmi, John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Kajol, Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Asin, Ronit Roy and many more.
The Q7, Audi’s first SUV, was unveiled in 2005 and received its first mid-life facelift, with significant styling updates, in 2009. It’s one of the best-selling Audi cars in India. Sharing platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Canyenne, the SUV looks very aggressive, masculine and outgoing. The second-generation model appears colossal and boxy, while the first-gen wears curvy styling elements. Audi offers a styling package with the new technology version of the SUV that come with a new grille and bumper with high gloss finish, reinforced bumpers with larger air inlets and bright roof rails. It also gets massive 10-spoke, 20-inches alloys.
Interiors, however, feel outdated with conventional dashboard and layout. The new model features a three row panoramic roof and olive ash interior inlays, but lacks a few important features such as single button for engine start-stop, USB ports etc. The SUV has various other goodies to offer such as BOSE sound system connected with MMI system, a foot operated handbrake, 4-zone climate control system, parking system plus with rear view camera, electrically adjustable front seats, 8 airbags and more. It’s very spacious and comfortable too.
Powering the Audi Q7 is a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, 24V, TDI diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 241bhp between 3800rpm – 4400rpm, while yielding a torque of 550Nm between 1750rpm -2750rpm. Power is transmitted to all-four wheels of the car via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It takes 7.8 seconds to accelerate 0-100kmph with a top speed of 251kmph. Engine is refined and very calm. Mid-range performance is excellent. The SUV offers three driving modes – D, S and tiptronic for the manual. D mode is good for regular driving purpose. It maintains engine’s efficiency and keeps it quiet. Whereas, the S and tiptronic modes serve best at the 4800rpm redline. Although, paddle shifts are completely missing.
Despite massive and heavy body-construction, the SUV runs effortlessly on city roads as well as on highways. However, there is significant body roll. The Audi Q7 is equipped with adaptive air suspension and four modes options – Off-road, Comfort, Auto and Dynamic. The dampers adjust, automatically, as you change the mode. The adjustable driver seat and high ground clearance also aid to its drivability. In Dynamic mode, the SUV lowers itself and gets more fervent towards corners that further improve its handling. Cruising capability and high-speed performance are excellent. Ride is comfortable, too.
