Audi Q7 cleans up its act

By Tom Phillips

21st October 2010

Meet the newest member of the Q7 family. Audi has added a new, lower power version of its 3.0-litre TDI diesel engine to the full-size 4x4 in a bid to clean up the car’s act.

At present, the Clean Diesel Q7 is the fuel efficiency champion of the range – its 237bhp 3.0-litre diesel returns 38.2mpg and emits 195g/km of carbon dioxide. The new, lower power 201bhp version improves this to 39.2mpg and 189g/km of carbon dioxide.

The engine is fitted with stop start, and is connected to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Quattro four-wheel drive is fitted as standard.

The new unit features 450Nm of torque, 100Nm less than the 237bhp car, yet still returns ample performance, with 0-62mph taking 9.1 seconds and top speed being 125mph for cars fitted with standard steel suspension, and 127mph with the optional air suspension fitted.

Audi’s newcomer arrives in the UK in mid-2011 and prices and full specs will be announced closer to the on-sale date.