Lighter, more efficient and full of high-tech – The new Audi Q7

The new Audi Q7 enters the German market with two supercharged V6 engines – the 3.0 TFSI and the 3.0 TDI. Compared with the predecessor model, their fuel consumption is lower by 28 and 23 percent, respectively – a CO2 equivalent of up to 50 grams per kilometer (80.5 g/mi). With these engines, the new Q7 sets new efficiency standards in the large SUV segment with all-wheel drive.

A start-stop system is standard with both engines. For example, should the driver be rolling towards a red light, the system already disables the engine shortly before the vehicle comes to a halt. The system is networked with the optional assistance system ACC, including traffic jam assist. When the car in front begins to move again after stopping, the engine of the new Q7 starts again automatically. Both engines also come with sound generators on board, for controlled modulation of the engine sound.

Forced induction with a compressor: The 3.0 TFSI
The 3.0 TFSI has 2,995 cc displacement (bore x stroke = 84.5 mm x 89.0 mm (3.3 in x 3.5 in)). Its output is 245 kW (333 hp) at 5,500 to 6,500 rpm, and the maximum torque of 440 Nm (324.5 lb-ft) is available between 2,900 and 5,300 rpm. The supercharger is situated in the 90-degree V formed by the cylinder banks and is driven by a belt of the crankshaft as required. It compresses the intake air with up to 0.8 bar. Two intercoolers integrated in its housing further cool down the hot air so that even more oxygen enters the combustion chambers.

Lightning-quick response thanks to short gas paths, powerful thrust and sonorous sound – the compact three-liter V6 with its light-metal crankcase accelerates the new Audi Q7 from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 6.1 seconds, reaching a maximum of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). In the NEDC, however, it needs on average only 7.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (30.5 US mpg) with 179 g of CO2 per km (288.1 g/mi).

The 3.0 TFSI has some powerful efficiency technologies on board. An electromagnetic clutch shuts down the supercharger at loads up to 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft) and engine speeds up to 4,000 rpm. Depending on the requirement, a mixed injection for particle reduction with FSI technology occurs directly into the combustion chambers and indirectly into the intake manifold. The intake and exhaust camshafts can be adjusted to 50 or 40 degrees of crank angle; friction is reduced at the chain drive, the piston rings and the camshafts. The oil cooler, water pump, cylinder liners and crankshaft have also been overhauled. Compression has increased to 10.8:1.

Total pulling power: The 3.0 TDI
The 3.0 TDI in the new Audi Q7, with a 90-degree bank angle and 2,967 cm3 displacement (bore x stroke = 83.0 x 91.4 mm (3.3 x 3.6 in), delivers 200 kW (272 hp) of power and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque, the latter from 1500 to 3000 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) takes 6.3 seconds, with a top speed of 234 km/h (145.4 mph). On average, the 3.0 TDI consumes only 5.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (41.3 US mpg), emitting only 149 grams of CO2 per kilometer (239.8 g/mi).

The V6 TDI comes with numerous impressive high-end solutions. Its crankcase made of high-strength vermicular graphite cast iron is very light, with the entire engine weighing only about 190 kilograms (418.9 lb). The pistons are cooled by means of oil flowing through cast-in ducts. Their rings and pins have been optimized to minimize friction. The crankcase and cylinder heads employ separate coolant circuits. To reduce pressure loss, the water jackets of the cylinder heads are made in two parts to fit the requirement.

Relative to the previous engine, the water-cooled turbocharger has also been overhauled, with the oil pump fully variable in operation. Particularly lightweight hollow shafts serve as camshafts. The common rail injection system develops a pressure of 2,000 bar. In the chain drive, intermediate gears with gear stages replace the large sprockets of the camshafts.

The components of the exhaust cleaning system are extremely compact and placed close to the engine in the new 3.0 TDI. The oxidation catalytic converter is installed to improve performance at a minimum distance to the turbocharger outlet, for a better temperature level. The same housing contains the diesel particulate filter with integrated SCR (selective catalytic reduction) coating. It removes particles and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust. The combination of diesel particulate filter and SCR allows a reduction of the distance of the SCR system by more than two meters relative to the predecessor, to only 30 centimeters (11.8 in). The result is quick response by the catalyst. A water-cooled proportioning module injects the necessary AdBlue additive. A full power mixer prepares the reductant (AdBlue and nitrogen oxides yield nitrogen and water) on the compact mixing track. Audi optionally supplies the Q7 with an AdBlue tank with a capacity increased from 12 to 24 liters (12.7 to 25.4 US qt).

Operation of 3.0 TDI is ultra-refined and low in vibrations. An important factor is the adjustable hydraulic bearings joining the engine to the front axle subframe. During idling, they eliminate disturbing vibrations with soft characteristic curves, and in drive they switch to a higher damping level, to suppress engine vibrations.

Even more efficient: 3.0 TDI with 160 kW (218 hp)
The market launch of the Q7 in Germany will soon be followed by a second version of the 3.0 TDI with 160 kW (218 hp) and a torque of 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft), the latter at 1,250 to 3,000 revolutions per minute. Technically it differs in some details from the more powerful TDI. For engine management in particular there occur need-based adjustments to the water pump, oil cooler and combustion method, among other things. The efficiency is ground-breaking: Per 100 kilometers the 3.0 TDI (preliminary data) with 160 kW (218 hp) consumes on the average 5.4 liters of fuel (43.6 US mpg); a CO2 equivalent of 144 grams per kilometer (231.7 g/mile). It accelerates the new Q7 from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 7.4 seconds, and presses forcefully ahead up to a top speed of 216 km/h (134.2 mph).

A fourth engine for the new Audi Q7 is the 2.0 TFSI with an output of 185 kW (252 hp) and 370 Nm (272.9 lb-ft) of torque. It is planned primarily for the Asian markets and the USA.