Log in

View Full Version : 2006 Q7 3.0 TDi vs. 2006 A6 2.4 + (Q7 review)


Skaala
04-19-2006, 06:34 PM
I had to take the A8 in to the shop today to replace the front left air suspention sensor ($550 :( ) As I dropped off the car at 7AM this morning I saw that they had gotten a new Q7 there. I talked to the salesman for acouple of minutes, and he asked if I wanted to try it out while my car was beeing fixed. I lit up like a kid on christmas. :D I'll try to write review by the end of the weekend :)

oh yeah... when i came back to get the car, I got the A6 because there was a problem deleting the error on the computer in the airsuspention system.

---------------------------------------------------
Edit: 26.04.06

Here's my review. It was a quick translation from my norwegian review, so go easy on me. It also includes a bit on info that you probably already know beacause it was written as a magazine article... just ask if I have forgotten something.

review. version 1

2006 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI

For 25 years Audi have built Quattro for their cars. This time “we’ve made a car for Quattro” they claim. Audi dominated the world of rally from the second they entered with their Audi Quattro rally car. They even let the women have a go. And they won too. This system was to be evolved into what we today know as Audi’s four wheel drive system on production cars. On road as off road the permanent 4x4 system distributes the power asymmetric-dynamic to the front and rear-axle.

Audi markets their new Q7 with: “The one on the top does not need a compromise, but a solution. Do you need a vehicle which can transport you on the mountain as comfortable as on your way to work? A car that represents your elegance, strength and taste? Do you want a vehicle with large and flexible space? and ultimate drivers enjoyment? Discover the new Q7”

If this is true is yet to be confirmed. While visiting our local dealer in Norway he asked us if we wanted to test-drive it. It was a nice and sunny “snow-free” Easter-day with about 10°C. Far from what this car is meant to handle. After a few minutes of only looking at it from different angles, and actually believing its size we were ready to give it a go. Our first encounter with this enormous beast was its gadgets. The air suspension was set in “low-rider” mode, as the car rested on the fabulous ’20 with winter tires. The MMI is very easy to understand if you haven’t used it before. Even though my dealer saw us coming in an A8 he still wanted to explain the MMI and button-handbrake to us…..maybe he was a bit stressed out? Or just exited? Next on the list was the reverse camera. Even with it’s close to 5 metres long and 2 metres wide, you have to be pretty reckless to scratch or dent it. With the excellent digital guidelines known first in the new S8, combined with the acoustic parking system you are pretty well sorted for.

I only had the chance to drive it on normal roads and highway, but with Audi’s adaptive air suspension (extra on the 3.0TDi) the car feels tight and doesn’t wobble when you twitch the steering wheel from side to side at speed, as you might expect in as tall SUV. But tall as it is, compared to other European SUV’s its about 8cm lower. Its 174cm, compared to Mercedes ML and Range Rover Sport which are 182. It looks more like an estate, or Avant in Audi language. The diesel engine is in my opinion the best alternative in my opinion, at least in Norway with all the taxes and fuel prises. The 3.0TDi starts at $137.741 without the adaptive air suspension (a must) and without any extras. The 4.2FSI version starts at $199.951, this one with the air suspension included. The diesel with its 233hp and 500nM pulls really strong, and gives a pretty sweet sound for a diesel. This was the best surprise of the day, and overtaking was a piece of cake. We clocked a 0-100km/h time of 9.6 seconds. Unfortunately the Norwegian highway is limited in this part of Norway to 80km/h, but the engine gives you so much power that I imagine it will pull pretty good twice the speed limit. After a couple of hours we had an average of 1.15litres pr. 100km (24mpg UK) which is pretty good in my book for a car this size, weight (2300kgs) and with our frequent acceleration.



Anyone who has driven a newer Audi knows that the interior quality is superb, and if you have driven a newer A6 you will feel immediately at home. The only difference I noticed was the placement of the air vents, and the door panels. But all in all it looks and feels like top of the class Audi.

One of the reasons the Volvo XC90 was so popular in Europe was that it could be delivered with 7 seats. The prices given here are both with 7 seats. The third row though is only for small children or for very short rides. Actually with the 300cm wheel base I was slightly disappointed with the space. The bonnet kind of is half the car. The second row holds two full seats and a smaller middle seat. Leg room is pretty good for adults, but yet again I was a bit disappointed. It holds about the same legroom as the new VW Passat, but for tall persons the height could be an issue.

The 6-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and quick and sooths the 3.0TDi very good. Apart from other SUV’s the Q7 handles acceleration from standstill well. A lot of transmissions have problems handling this amount of torque, and the torque-converter often gives a delay of up to 2 seconds, but in the Q7 it is instant. A matter of tenths from throttle to acceleration.

The biggest advantage of air suspension is that you van vary the ground clearance as you go. From the Autobahn-lowrider-mode of 14.5cm to the offroad-mode 24.0cm. Combined with the well known Audi ESP system with an own offroad-mode, you won’t get stuck in the snow heading for your cabin. Unlike Land Rovers which have a variety of settings you have to choose manually, the ESP in the Q7 handles decent-control and all the other tricky offroad settings automatic.

The Q7 is delivered with 8 airbags standard. This includes side-impact airbags in the middle and head-airbags on all three rows of seats. Other standard safety equipment is the ESP and adjustable seatbelts in the second row. The Q7 is safe, no doubt, but what about other equipment? Basically you get dual-zone air-condition, leather steering wheel with radio operation, acoustic parking system, rain sensor, cruise control, alloy wheels, and a driving computer. In a car this expensive you would expect a bit more. For instance a $55.000 Passat includes automatic mirrors, alarm system, xenon lights, electric driver’s seat and navigation.
Basically if you have the money you can have a feast in the extras list. At the Audi webpage Norway I “made” myself one costing $270.000. Over $70.000 in extras. Last time I checked, $270k will buy you a nice 2006 Lamborghini Murceilago in the US.
But don’t worry. Only if you live in Norway you have to fear this. The rest of the world will get by a lot cheaper.

My final conclusion of the Q7, even though I have yet to test it offroad is that Audi have made an SUV that holds well up to its competitors. VW Touareg, Range Rover Sport are much tougher offroad, but they don’t have near the loading capacity as the Q7, neither the quality feel. Cayenne S, Range Rover Sport or ML500 are priced over the Q7 even though they are less powerful than the 4.2FSI. The X5 4.4 and the XC90 V8 are cheaper but nor them are as powerful. For pure offroad use it can’t be compared, but for every day use, and the occasional rough and snowy roads it is perfect. Some may be intimidated by its size, and you probably wont take it to a parking garage at first. For others the size is the ace up its sleeve. I sure wouldn’t mind having one, but even if I wanted to, the Norwegian cars are sold out until October. Maybe then I can get one in S-line? (will come back to this one later) The Q7 is a great car, no matter what you use it for. School run, loading furniture, logs, dogs or people. If you have your deposits down you really have something to look forward to. Enjoy.


2006 Audi Q7 3.0 TDi Quattro

http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/3928/DSC01103.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01103.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2503/DSC01102.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01102.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/6010/DSC01101.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01101.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/251/DSC01100.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01100.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2719/DSC01099.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01099.jpg)
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/5470/DSC01097.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01097.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/7733/DSC01095.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01095.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/7533/DSC01109.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01109.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/9868/DSC01108.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01108.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2723/DSC01107.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01107.jpg)
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/3638/DSC01106.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01106.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/517/DSC01115.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01115.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3025/DSC01120.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01120.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9692/DSC01119.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01119.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5587/DSC01125.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01125.jpg)
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9254/DSC01121.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01121.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1562/DSC01116.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01116.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7159/DSC01123.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01123.jpg)
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/6584/DSC01105.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01105.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/1404/DSC01111.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01111.jpg)http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/475/DSC01110.th.jpg (http://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01110.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7424/DSC01112.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01112.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5335/DSC01118.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01118.jpg)
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9408/DSC01127.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01127.jpg)http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1606/DSC01114.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01114.jpg)


2006 Audi A6 2.4 Quattro

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/687/DSC01279.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01279.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/2676/DSC01277.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01277.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/7599/DSC01276.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01276.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/2241/DSC01284.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01284.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/9611/DSC01282.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01282.jpg)
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/3851/DSC01281.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01281.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/4969/DSC01280.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01280.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/7339/DSC01271.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01271.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/6486/DSC01270.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01270.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/9244/DSC01269.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01269.jpg)
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/7513/DSC01268.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01268.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/4255/DSC01267.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01267.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/6572/DSC01264.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01264.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/2634/DSC01262.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01262.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/4886/DSC01275.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01275.jpg)
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/3970/DSC01273.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01273.jpg)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/2048/DSC01272.th.jpg (http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=DSC01272.jpg)

RF1
04-19-2006, 06:36 PM
I love this car
power, all...

Ghostbat
04-19-2006, 06:42 PM
Don't think that 2.4 is a Turbo. Isn't it a NA V6?

Skaala
04-19-2006, 06:49 PM
Don't think that 2.4 is a Turbo. Isn't it a NA V6?

my mistake, I was organizing my pics from the Quattro experience, and I got the T's mixed up, yes it's the NA V6

Skaala
04-19-2006, 07:15 PM
I wasn't sure about the Q7 at first - but the more I see it the more I like it... although it's still not as appealing as the Range Rover - my fav :wink:

Anyway - sounds like a good dealer... giving you a Q7 for a looong testdrive and then an A6 Avant. Last time I was given a substitution car... it was a horrid Fiat Punto 50hp diesel :roll:

well.. last time I got a blue Beetle 1.2, and I'm 197cm and 230lbs. I had to have the seat so far back that if I looked out the side window, it was the back window... haha

c0wb0y007
04-20-2006, 12:49 PM
Thanks for the report and pics,

Both cars are massive.
When it comes to the Q7; all other SUV's like the X5, Touareg and the Cayenne can play hide and seek behind one of those 8) The Q7 is huge, I have already seen many of them.

The new A6 is a huge car as well and by far the best looking estate car you can buy nowadays. I'm a huge fan of the taillights with LED's. If I'm right, those type of taillights come with the 2.7 and everything above that 8) I have recently seen a 4.2 quattro (of coarse).

CHeers

Schwalbe
04-21-2006, 10:44 PM
A visit at your nearest Audi dealer, even if it's for a maintenance is often an interesting experience. :wink:

Thanks Skaala for your report and pix. :D

Pehtren
04-22-2006, 07:14 AM
Thats very cool a Q7 :shock: :P

egerly waiting for review :D

davide
04-22-2006, 07:41 AM
Mmm nice!

Two opf my favorites! The new A6 and the Q7 ! Really nice....!!

martin100
04-22-2006, 02:28 PM
I like the Q7 as i like all current Audis :D No other brand has better interieur quality and thats very important for me as well as the great styling. Can´t wait for your review and thanks for these many pics :wink: