- The V8 is gone on the 2011 Audi Q7.
- Taking its place are two supercharged gasoline V6s rated at 272 hp and 332 hp.
- All 2011 Q7s will have an eight-speed automatic transmission.
INGOLSTADT, Germany — Don't look for the 4.2-liter V8 engine in the 2011 Audi Q7, as the German automaker will discontinue it in favor of two supercharged 3.0-liter V6s. In addition, all 2011 Q7s will use an eight-speed automatic transmission when they go on sale this fall.
The base engine in the 2011 Audi Q7 is a low-output version of the company's 3.0-liter TFSI V6 rated at 272 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Look for a 0-60-mph time in the high-7-second range, says Audi.
One step above that is the 3.0-liter diesel V6 better known as the 3.0 TDI. Although there's a new, 236-hp TDI power plant for Europe, our diesel V6 will be a carryover and retain the current 225-hp rating.
At the top of the Q7 lineup, there will be a high-output version of the supercharged gasoline V6. Rated at 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, this is the same engine currently offered in the Audi S4. This engine is potent enough to get the hefty Q7 to 60 mph in under 7 seconds, according to Audi. Note that both V6s will be badged "3.0T," even though they are supercharged rather than turbocharged.
The German automaker also says the new engine will reduce fuel consumption as much as 16 percent, though we'll have to wait and see how the U.S. EPA ratings shape out.
Inside Line says: Audi makes sweeping changes in the Q7 lineup. Truth be told, this portly SUV was never that quick even with a V8, so a supercharged V6 matched to an eight-speed automatic may indeed be an upgrade in cutthroat freeway traffic. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent
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juan_mx says:
11:28 AM, 04/12/2010
And what will happen to the Q7 with the V12 TDI engine (500CV) that they offer in Europe ?
charlesb says:
10:25 AM, 04/09/2010
It's a stretch Toureg. I think the Mecedes GL is the class leader and you can still get a V-8 with that one.
hotrodw says:
07:46 AM, 04/09/2010
Makes sense to me. Now they need to offer the same powerplants in the Q5.
audirs4 says:
06:11 AM, 04/09/2010
Who wants to get 12/13 mpg in the city with a big v8 engine? When premium gas goes to 4 bucks a gallon again, nobody is going to want the much anymore.
I'd much rather have a supercharged V6 than a V8. 333 hp / 325 torque is just as good as most V8's.
The specs on it are pretty sweet and it's good news for the Q7.
Over 1/2 of Q7 customers are already buying the TDI model, anyway. The TDI drives better and is more fun than the V8.
nicked says:
03:52 AM, 04/09/2010
The ultimate chool bus for real house wife.
campi3ell says:
01:16 AM, 04/09/2010
While that's nice, I still say they should have kept the V8. Spending the kind of money one does on these vehicles, I'd rather have a V8. Since they are turbocharging everything, hell why not the 8cyl?
notabigdeal says:
08:02 PM, 04/08/2010
The X5's 3rd row seats are beyond a joke.
cr_driver says:
06:27 PM, 04/08/2010
No match for the 2011 X5`s.
Sorry Audi.