Audi Q7

Audi answer to BMW X5 proves too popular

Audi has announced it is increasing production of its first sports utility vehicle, the Q7, after only a few weeks on sale.

Auto Express Car Reviews

It's a very big Audi, and it's scared of nobody.

By Dan Gilbert

24th March 2006

The Q7 is seen as Audi's answer to the BMW X5, and went on sale in Europe earlier in March. The volume of enquiries has lead to an increase in daily production of 50%, from 200 to 300 cars per day. Audi claims to have taken 16,000 orders for the car already, and expects to sell up to 70,000 in this calendar year.

The Q7 comes in two guises - a chunky 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine developing 233 bhp, and a gargantuan 4.2 litre eight-cylinder petrol engine that chugs out 350 bhp.

Despite recent image problems for SUV's, as shown in the tax penalties introduced in the 2006 budget for bigger-engined cars, it seems a large section of the car-buying public still can't get enough of them. The huge response from buyers augurs for Audi. as it prepares to launch the car in the USA and China in June, and in other worldwide markets in the second half of 2006.