Audi Q7: Preview

The Car Connection has a preview of the Audi Q7.

You better be well-dressed if you expect to waltz in late to the ball. And as Audi gets ready to roll out its first sport-utility vehicle, it's clear that the automaker has dressed up its Q7 in fine fashion.

The Q7 is a handsome vehicle, starting with a bold front end that's clearly been influenced by the latest Audi A6. The aggressive wheel arches make Audi's SUV look like it's in constant motion, a perception enhanced by the flowing shape of the overall design. The roofline flows gracefully, reminiscent of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS "four-door coupe." And the unusual wraparound tailgate was strongly influenced by Audi's Pikes Peak concept ute of a few years back.

"Everything below the shoulder line is very muscular," explained Filip Brabec, a key member of the Q7 development team. "Everything above is sleek and almost coupe-like."

Inside, the new sport-utility vehicle is impressively spacious, with a flexible interior that provides plenty of cargo space, especially with the rear seats folded down to create a long, flat load floor. The second row can tilt and slide. And Audi will be offering the Q7 in five-, six- and seven-seat configurations, the latter two trading some rear cargo space for a stowable third row. Audi planners insist you can come up with 28 different seating configurations. And there are 10 different cupholders, so you'll always have at least one within easy reach.

The interior is organized into color-keyed "islands," starting with the driver's cocoon-like cockpit, with its twin-teardrop gauge clusters. The Q7 will help Audi retain its reputation for benchmark interiors, using an array of elegant materials, including the unusual loop-style carpeting.

A number of manufacturers have adopted massive panorama sunroofs in recent years. Audi goes one better with the Q7. There's the panorama for the first and second row and an optional third-row sunroof that can tilt for improved ventilation.

You'd also expect Audi to include plenty of cutting-edge technology, and you wouldn't be disappointed. Audi will be among the first to launch a blind-spot detection system. Dubbed Audi Assist, it will warn you, with visual and audible alerts, if you start to change lanes when there's traffic in your way. The system operates at speeds above 35 mph.

GermanCarBlog, Audi Q7

Source: The Car Connection

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