AUTO SPIES EXCLUSIVE: First pics and impressions of the Audi Q7 3.0TDI on U.S. soil

We sure hope a Q7 diesel shows up for sale on our shores.

We had a chance to drive the TDI in Arizona and it was awesome.

Even though it's only rated at 220hp, the Audi engineers told us in certain driving scenarios, the TDI actually can acheive 280hp.

In our opinion, it has everything performance people need...LOTS OF TORQUE!



One of the concerns from the manufacturers is that U.S. customers still don't take to diesels like the Europeans and the hybrids have stolen the mindshare of potential customers.

AUTO SPIES PERSPECTIVE: Note to the German manufacturers...If you really want to turn the tables on the Japanese be the first company to launch this press release:

(Put your favorite german brand here)announced today that they would offer diesels in the U.S.A. WITHOUT a price premium over the gasoline models.

(Executive name here)said "We want to be the first to set the trend in the U.S.A. making diesels as affordable as their gas counterparts because of our deep concern for rising gas price affordability for American consumer's.

We've been making diesel engines for a gazillion years and we've found out how to make the technology as affordable as a gas engine (like it isn't already, we have just been adding a premium all these years becuase we could ;)

Plus everyone knows gasoline engines last longer and get BETTER real world mileage than hybrids"
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Talk about a trojan horse!

How much FREE press would they get from this announcement and increase in brand equity?

We think a lot.

If the Germans are REALLY serious about changing Americans perspectives, they have to make a bold move.

If they are, there is tremendous upside for your brand in the USA.

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Neverfollow - 2/20/2006 11:43:10 AM

+1 Boost

I was also at the North American press launch of the Q7 in Phoenix AZ and while there, the Audi team was still undecided as to whether to bring the 3.0TDI engine to the US or not. In just a matter of a few weeks I am happy to report that the engine will be part of the US line up starting next fall. It will take that long just to get it through EPA and DOT approval for sale in all 50 states as a 2008 model. As we know, the sulfer content of US diesel fuel should be reduced to acceptable levels starting this October. That pretty much clears the way for the sale of high tech low emmision diesel engines to come to the US from all over the world. This engine will eventually find itself in a few more Audi products including the A6 and possibly the A4 sedan and Cabriolet down the road. Audi representatives kept asking if they thought they could charge extra for this option and my response was yes but not very much initially. I feel that the engine would have to prove itself in this marketplace first before it could become a significant chargable upgrade. I am surprised at how many US customers are interested in this engine. Apparently it's European reputation has preceded it somewhat. Many customer inquiries have been focused solely on the availability of the 3.0 TDI and nothing else. I've had a few clients willing to execute a two year lease on a 4.2 model starting this June with the intension of buying a 3.0TDI version as soon as it becomes available. Seems like a good plan to me.

ecolucci - 2/20/2006 2:03:28 PM

+1 Boost

That is good news. I purposefully am postponing the purchase of a new car in the hope that diesel engines will start coming our way in greater numbers in the next two or three years. I prefer them to gasoline-electric hybrids because diesel-only engines are of simpler design (and, consequently, potentially more durable), get similar mileage, will be environmentally cleaner in the very near future (no battery with toxic metals and/or other chemicals to dispose), and can run on a variety of fuels including biofuels--fuel that can be manufactured in the US.

atomicbri - 2/20/2006 2:30:13 PM

+1 Boost

I agree that car companies should offer these fine diesel motors in the USA. I wish most people here would give diesel another chance. It's a great motor really cause originally it was designed to run on a vegetable based fuel which means diesel could be changed to use a mix (like ethanol, etc) and possibly even couple it with a hybrid electric motor. PLUS you are getting excellent mpg! I know I would buy one!

vitomax - 2/20/2006 3:29:41 PM

+1 Boost

diesel electric hybrid the way to go for now. the technology is there right now=100 mpg.

Neverfollow - 2/21/2006 1:40:06 PM

+1 Boost

There was some discussion going on about bringing in the 4.2TDI engine to the US for the A8L but that remains far from decided. Audi would like to bring it but has to review the costs and develop a business plan for it. If it's to happen at all it would still be 3-4 years out. There was also discussion as to whether we would like to see the Diesel 3.0TDI Q7 first or the Diesel-Electric Hybrid version first. I told them the diesel was a better choice. My thinking was the hybrid would take much longer to bring to production and the cost of replacement batteries is probably pretty high. A Hybrid would still be nice, especially a Diesel-Electric Hybid, but in the interest of getting something here ASAP, the Diesel is nearer production ready for the US.

In the case of the A3, we may see a Hybrid version of that car as well.

hhm1644 - 2/21/2006 5:36:05 PM

+1 Boost

Is there a contest this week to see how many Q7 articles you guys can run in a week...where's the news on the new MB GL and the upcoming diesels from the diesel-meisters, MB?

Soho - 2/24/2006 10:44:09 AM

+1 Boost

VW AG is the only company that has offered diesels to the US consumers non-stop for a very long time. Unfortunately due to the high sulfur content of diesel fuel stateside and the contradictory stringent emissions requirements have made bringing high performance diesels here very unpalatable. The US Lawmakers seem to have a mental block when it comes to diesel technology. It is high time we took a serious look at the advantages of diesel over gas and hybrids. I have several acquaintances that have diesel Volkswagens with over 300,000 miles on the odometer. No hybid has proven itself anywhere near that limit. Lets all ask our lawmakers and dealerships to push for more german diesel motors!