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The Audi Q7 hit the automobile scene at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show;
however, show goers were sure that they'd seen this vehicle before. It seems
that Audi had decided to base their full-size crossover on the Pikes Peak
Quattro Concept vehicle that was unveiled at the 2003 North American
International Auto Show. The Pikes Peak title was adapted because of the
potential off-road abilities of the concept. However, when the 2007 model year
began, Audi had shaved off about 150 horsepower and shocked consumers and
reviewers alike by naming the luxury crossover "Q7."
In 2006, Audi was finalizing the details of a very public lawsuit brought on by
Nissan for using the letter "Q" in their vehicle badging. The judge ruled in
favor of Nissan, and Audi was left with an undisclosed amount of cash to pay in
the settlement. Most were sure that Audi would then leave the letter alone being
that it had caused so many public problems. Surprisingly, when the all new Audi
Q7 hit sales floors in 2007, spokespeople claimed that they paid for the use of
the letter so it wouldn't be prudent to not exercise their rights.
Three different engine models are currently available in the Audi Q7: 4.2L V8
that powers up to 350 horsepower, 3.6L FSI V6 that reaches 280 horsepower, and a
233 horsepower 3.0L TDI V6 that is exclusively offered in the European market.
Rumors abound about Audi getting together with Maserati to develop a premier
all-wheel drive system for all of their Quattro-based vehicles. However, reps
have yet to confirm any such pairing. Recently, sales of the Audi Q7 have been
on the decline, which, according to reviewers, is due to the poor gas mileage at
an estimated combined 16 MPG.
Audi's seven-passenger crossover will soon join the ranks of hybrid vehicles
like the Ford Escape. At the Hanover Motor Show in 2008, Audi revealed the most
recent adaptation of the Q7 that will make it to sales floors sometime in the
next few model years. The engine is said to be a two-mode system that
incorporates both electricity and gasoline but there is no word if the vehicle
will have regenerative braking or other common hybrid features. Audi also hit
another milestone with the recent crash test rating for the Q7. The NHTSA
reported that the 2008 Q7 received a 5-star (highest possible) rating for both
front and side crash test ratings. Also, the Q7 is the first Audi vehicle to
ever provide a program, called "Side Assist", which helps drivers by warning
them of objects in their blind spots. |
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