First Drive: 2008 Audi Q7 4.2 TDI

We’re not getting this V-8 diesel here, but we can tell you that the current Q7 flagship lacks soul, and that Audi’s B&O doesn’t stink.

At the tail end of our first drive experience of Audi’s mouth-watering A5 and S5 coupes, we were thrust into the driver’s seat of something entirely different in pretty much every conceivable way: the newly minted Q7 4.2 TDI. Some of us rolled our eyes at this, since this particular oil-burner, positioned as the current flagship of the Q7 line (until the V-12 TDI launches) in Europe, won’t be making it Stateside any time soon. Furthermore, Audi didn’t bring any 3.0 TDIs—which we will get late next year as an ’09 model—for comparison. But we set out to learn a thing or two anyway, as the Q7 4.2 TDI represents the interesting combination of a diesel SUV with a performance bent, and where better to explore the limits of this torquiest of all Audis than on the German autobahn? And so we did.
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07mcs - 5/11/2007 11:28:02 AM

+2 Boost

Nice Article. Finally some information on the Q7 4.2 TDi, There is one typo, they say top speed is 240kph, that translates to about 150mph, not 145mph like the article states.

EnnNorak - 5/11/2007 12:40:22 PM

+2 Boost

"byhsu" is correct. Using the accurate conversion factor of I mile = 1.609 km as published in the Bosch Automotive Handbook, 240 kph works out to 149.161 kph; the author must have hit the wrong key on his calculator or used an incorrect conversion factor. I don't have the time to reverse-engineer the author's math to refine my suspicion as to what happened.
I'm not sure I'd spend $100K plus on a car, but it's a pity we won't get the V8 or V12 diesel in North America.

Johnel - 5/11/2007 2:36:26 PM

+2 Boost

Theres also the V10 TDI which is used on the VW Toureg. Audi could have used that as well.

Audi4Life - 5/11/2007 12:49:20 PM

+1 Boost

http://www.autospies.com/news/PORSCHE-BMW-or-AUDI-15093/

EL34 - 5/11/2007 3:03:31 PM

+2 Boost

Awesome Q7!

david999 - 5/11/2007 5:35:12 PM

-3 Boost

"the current Q7 flagship lacks soul"

How true.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/11/2007 11:29:49 PM

+3 Boost

Yes, and I know you've driven it extensively.

I also know the 270hp 5,000lb Lexus LX470 is the most "soulful" SUV on the market.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/13/2007 2:24:08 PM

-1 Boost

S4: Real soul is in the reliability.

chewy - 5/13/2007 2:15:01 AM

+3 Boost

If this came here, it won't, it would only be about 5,000 more than the 4.2 FSI. The only thing it is lacking according to Car and Driver is engine noise in the diesel (something that the V6 and V8 have more of) Which is not a problem, as less noise is good, if that was the measuring stick, no one would ever buy a Lexus.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/13/2007 1:30:42 PM

+2 Boost

Hey, I love hearing my exhaust note. I wouldn't buy a Q7 diesel if I couldn't hear it. Well, I guess it wouldn't be my car anyway, so whatever.