|
|
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a full-size
luxury crossover SUV designed by Audi. The
Q7 will be available starting in model year
2007, sharing its platform with the VW Touareg
and Porsche Cayenne. Based on the Pikes Peak
quattro concept car, the Q7 is designed more
for on-road use than its Volkswagen cousin.
It lacks the Touareg's locking differentials
and low-range transfer case but gains a third-row
seating option. The production model was unveiled
at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January, 2006.
Audi's
350 hp (261 kW), 325 ft·lbf (441 N·m)
4.2 L (4163 cc) V8 and 280 hp (209 kW) 3.6
L V6 engines will be offered, with a 233 hp
(174 kW) Diesel V6 making up the bulk of the
sales in Europe. Rumors point to a high performance
variant of the SUV, possibly the QS7, launched
later as well.
Insider rumors suggest
that Audi and Maserati will be teaming up
and sharing the Audi "quattro" state
of the art all wheel drive for the Maserati
4.2 V8 engine and platform of the Quattroporte.
Also Audi would be building the Maserati Kubang
SUV on its already shared platform of the
Q7. In
early 2005, Nissan sued Audi over the use
of the letter "Q" as a model name.
Audi is using the "Q" for the designation
of Quattro, all wheel drive, that it has been
placed in production cars for over twenty-five
years. Nissan's Infiniti marque had been using
Q as the name for sedans (the Q45) and SUVs
(the QX4 and QX56) since 1989.
|
|
|
