We get behind the wheel of one of the most popular SUVs of the German brand, which in this version has a power of 462 hp

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The Audi Q7 is a car we know first hand at Ara Motor. Almost six years ago we had the opportunity to test it associated with a plug-in hybrid mechanic (then called e-tron) and now we wanted to get back behind the wheel of the equivalent engine but associated with the most recent version of the model german Yes, it may seem that on an aesthetic level the 2015 version has changed little compared to the current one, but the truth is that Audi has focused the main changes of the Q7 on the digitalization of the interior and the performance of its engines.


And it is necessary to bear in mind that the Audi Q7, which arrived on the market in 2006, has stood out for maintaining a constant design line despite the passage of time and for offering a truly remarkable interior habitability. Well, and also to be available with very powerful petrol engines, electrified versions and even a V12 diesel engine which, if it seemed like a crazy idea at the time, is now a real museum piece. Be that as it may, the era of huge diesel engines is behind us and now manufacturers are betting on gradually introducing electrification to their models. And since the model we are dealing with today is not an exception, let's immediately test the Audi Q7 60 TFSIe.


EXTERIOR DESIGN


The Audi Q7 has always stood out for being a robust and forceful car, perhaps the model that comes closest to the German brand's pure 4x4 concept . All in all, in practice this vehicle is quite far from being able to be considered a true off-roader... but the corpulent design remains in the current generation because it must be borne in mind that it is still a redesign of the model that was presented in the year 2015.



Thus, the Audi Q7 perfectly meets the definition of an SUV. The front view is dominated by an octagonal grille called Singleframe that incorporates inside the sensors and radars of the driving assistants, the front vision camera and the "quattro" inscription. On both sides we find the optics, which in this unit have HD Matrix LED technology with laser light . A system that, to put it mildly, is only recommended if we plan to do many kilometers at night.


The unit illustrated in the article is paired with the S-Line Sport trim , which incorporates oversized front air intakes, gloss black accents throughout the body, and 21-inch wheels with color-coded brake calipers. red And since we're talking about the rims, this is the most noticeable element of the side view along with the roof bars, the red color Mart and the wheel arches painted in the body color, as Audi has chosen to design a simple but effective car that does not want to hide its SUV category with coupé-type inventions.



The rear view retains the classic layout of the original Q7, with a huge tailgate with electric drive as standard, LED pilot lights that are connected to each other (but not by a light beam, but by a chrome strip), a bumper that integrates auxiliary lights and moldings that simulate the exhaust outlets. It also highlights the rear spoiler and model inscription. And before moving on to talk about the interior, a review of the vehicle's dimensions: 5.06 meters in length, 1.97 in width and 1.74 in height, with a wheelbase of 2.99 meters . Indeed, we are not dealing with a small car but rather with an ocean liner.



INTERIOR DESIGN


For several years (even decades) a rather curious phenomenon has been occurring in the world of motoring: the interiors of cars change between brands, but they are all almost identical in the same manufacturer . This has the consequence that it is difficult to differentiate the interior of this Q7 with the Audi Q8 that we tested a few months ago . And it is even very similar to models like the Audi A6 or A7 .



But at the same time, this fact causes brands to focus their efforts on designing an almost perfect interior, since making mistakes in this section could cause them to lose millions. And Audi, which knows a lot about technology and sophistication, has made almost no mistakes when considering what the interior of its most luxurious models should look like. This Q7 stands out for the logical arrangement of all the controls , for the quality of the materials and for the high presence of digitization.


A total of three screens can be counted: the first, located just behind the steering wheel, corresponds to the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation and is 12.3 inches . The second, located at the top of the central console, is 10.1 inches and integrates direct access to all the vehicle's multimedia systems , as well as specific menus referring to hybrid or electric driving offered by this version of the Q7. And the third, located just below the second, is 8.6 inches and allows us to access functions related to the air conditioning system , the regulation and heating of the seats or the steering wheel, the parking assistant and in electric driving mode.


The image quality provided by all monitors is fantastic, as is the touch response and fluidity of the menus. However, both the central screen and especially the auxiliary one are prone to light reflections . On the other hand, what doesn't quite bother me is that Audi has chosen to cover the passenger compartment in the famous and controversial Piano Black material , present on the doors, throughout the central console and on the dashboard. When it is clean and new its image is very elegant, but it scratches easily and is very prone to getting dirty. If possible, better to choose alternative materials such as wood or aluminum.


Regarding equipment, the Audi Q7 has an almost infinite amount of multimedia, comfort and driving assistance elements . Highlights include the parking assistant with 360º camera, the sound system signed by Bang&Olufsen, the adaptive suspension , the navigation system adapted to hybrid driving, the Matrix LED lights, the leather and Alcantara upholstery or the sports seats , others.


HABITABILITY


A car of 5.06 meters in length that has a distance between axles of almost three meters must offer very good habitability yes or yes. And obviously, the Audi Q7 is no exception. The plug-in hybrid version is only available in a five-seat configuration , but unlike what is usual in most cars (regardless of the segment), here all the seats are perfectly valid for long trips . It is clear that comfort is very high in the front seats, but the fact is that in the rear three adults can also travel comfortably and with more than enough space for both legs and head thanks to the 35-30- 35 of the seats.



Some seats that, to put it another way, can move longitudinally to improve the capacity of the trunk or increase the interior space. And if we go to the trunk itself, it has a capacity of 650 liters expandable to 1,835 if we fold down the rear seats, but the presence of the batteries of the hybrid system means that it is not possible to store any objects in the double bottom of the trunk of any other Q7 of combustion



MOTOR


Yes, the Audi Q7 has received some changes compared to the model that was presented in 2015 and its interior is now more technological... but the main reason for being the 60 TFSIe version in this test is that hide under the hood . Beyond knowing whether this is the most suitable type of hybridization or not for this model, the truth is that Audi has opted for a solution halfway between traditional hybridization (which could be a little fair in such a vehicle) and total electrification. Thus, the Q7 60 TFSIe powertrain consists of a 3.0 liter V6 petrol engine and another electric drive.


The first delivers a power of 340 HP between 5,200 and 6,400 revolutions, as well as a torque of 450 Nm between 1,340 and 5,300 revolutions. For its part, the second is a permanent excitation synchronous motor with a power of 128 HP and a torque of 350 Nm. When both engines work at the same time , the total power is 462 HP and the maximum torque reaches 700 Nm . As for the battery of the electric motor, it is a 17.3 kWh module that is able to drive the Audi Q7 up to a maximum speed of 135 km/h and record a maximum homologated autonomy of 42 kilometers . sufficient to obtain the 0 label from the DGT.



As with any plug-in hybrid model, it is possible to drive without ever charging the battery and using only the combustion engine in hybrid mode (which is why the 0 label on these models is so controversial). But if we choose to charge it and move as much as possible in 100% electric mode, it should be borne in mind that using a normal 2.3 kW plug will take about eight hours , a time that is reduced to 2.5 hours if we use a 7.4 kW plug . In addition, we can schedule the charging of the battery using the MyAudi app to try to take advantage of the most favorable rates in terms of the price of light.



DYNAMIC


We are not dealing with a light or sporty car, but against all odds it is remarkably agile. All in all, the Audi Q7 60 TFSIe in this test has been shown to be the ideal car to travel in comfort and to save fuel when moving through urban environments or on trips that do not exceed 40 kilometers newspapers As you'd expect from such a car, sound insulation and ride comfort are superb, which is maximized by the fact that the car starts whenever it can in fully electric mode.


In fact, Audi offers in this model the traditional driving modes of any Q7 and specific electric modes. The first are the classic Efficiency, Auto, Confort, Dynamic and Individual , which modify the dynamic behavior of the vehicle. On the other hand, the seconds are much more interesting because they allow us to save fuel or prioritize the operation of the combustion engine based on our needs.



In this case we will have to use the EV button on the auxiliary screen to be able to open a menu on the main screen that will allow us to choose between Hybrid and EV modes . The second makes the car move solely in electric mode as long as the battery is available, while the first acts as a normal hybrid and has two extra functions.


If we select the Auto Hybrid mode the car will make intelligent use of the battery, while if we select Battery Hold it will adapt the combustion engine to avoid losses in the load and thus be able to move in electric mode later. Finally, Battery Charge mode uses the gasoline engine as an electricity generator for the battery, but it's obviously a much less efficient function than plugging the vehicle into an outlet.



The consumption data of this Audi Q7 60 TFSIe are very variable. The brand approves an expenditure of as little as 3.2 liters per 100 kilometers, but this can be true or false depending on our driving, the battery charge and the driving mode we select. If we start the journey with the battery at 100% the fuel consumption will be zero liters during the first 30-40 kilometers, and from then on the car will behave like a conventional hybrid and will be able to consume close to 10 liters. And if we never charge the battery and always use the car in hybrid mode, the number can increase even more if our driving is aggressive. In the end, we must bear in mind that in these circumstances we will be dealing with a five-metre SUV, 340 HP petrol engine and a weight of more than 2,500 kilos...


Of course, at a dynamic level this weight is not overly noticeable. Obviously we can't compare this version with the agility of the Audi SQ7, but it holds its own on secondary roads and is even comfortable (if not practical) in the city. All in all, this car's favorite area is a mix between the road, the highway and a bit of the city, thus achieving low consumption and exceptional ride comfort.



CONCLUSION


The Audi Q7 60 TFSIe in this test has made it clear that it is a fantastic car, but that it is aimed at a very specific audience. In terms of design, quality of finishes, equipment and habitability, it is as recommendable as any other version. And this means that it is highly recommended, since despite its veteranity it remains one of the best SUVs on the market. However, at the driving level it is important to consider whether this version is the one we need or not. Audi has designed this model for all those people who can charge the car at home, do a maximum of 40 or 50 kilometers per dayand want to travel sporadically with an exceptional level of comfort. If this is not our case, a traditional combustion version or another electric model is much more recommended. And as it could not be otherwise, its price is not low either: from 94,660 euros.