Archive for the ‘Q7’ Category

•    What is it? A mild update of the big Audi sport-ute •    The basics: All-wheel drive; V-6, V-6 turbodiesel or V-8 engines; five- or seven-seater •    On sale: September 2009 •    Price: $47,725 (V-6); $51,725 (TDI); $61,825 (V-8)

The 2010 Audi Q7 arrives in dealers in September sporting some mild work to its cabin and front end, and a price tag starting at $47,725.

The big five- or seven-passenger sport-utility vehicle hasn't changed much in the new model year. It returns to compete against the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class and even the 2010 Lincoln MKT. A trio of all-wheel-drive editions--V-6, V-8 and V-6 turbodiesel--are offered...

It's been in showrooms for a few months in V-6 form, and the 2009 Audi Q5 is already being prepped for a green makeover.

For now, the powertrain in the Q5 will continue to be the 270-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 installed in every U.S.-bound vehicle. In 2011, Audi plans to fit a hybrid gas-electric powertrain in the compact SUV, though the powertrain hasn't yet been identified. And since the Q5 is related to Audi's A4 range, it's not difficult to see the same powertrain make its way into various sedans, wagons, perhaps even the A5 Coupe and Cabriolet.

The hybrid versions will precede any diesel Q5 to market, Audi has said.

Meanwhile, the...

Last week the editorial team at High Gear Media convened in the Bay Area for some fun, some food, and some SEO training. Thanks to the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI, we traveled as a pack and only once (okay, twice) almost left one team member stuck in the third-row seat as we broke for Starbucks and a break from the thick, rich (okay, wealthy) smug surrounding Palo Alto, a city so well-to-do it probably emits venture capital as a greenhouse gas.

One early morning, before the caffeine kicked in, we realized this was one rare opportunity to judge a car as a group, in person, conflicting views and all. While we here at High Gear Media do full meta-reviews...