By Dr Long
The New Audi Q7 was launched at Euromobil�s Audi Hangar in Glenmarie, Malaysia on 24th May 2007. In unveiling this new luxury SUV, Euromobil Chairman likened this new Audi to be �a unique combination of sportiness and ruggedness crossed with luxury and comfort�. Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir also quipped that the Q7 will �appeal to a niche group of customers who value exclusive character and class�.
�Q� stands for an entirely new model line; in the same vein as Audi�s A, S and RS nomenclature. The alphabet �Q� also refers to Audi�s famous �quattro� permanent four-wheel-drive. Meanwhile, the suffix �7� indicates that the model lies between the A6 and the A8 in the Audi automobiles range. Above it all, the Audi Q7 embodies sporty on-road character as well as off-road capabilities.
Conceptualized as a functional Audi Pikes Peak Quattro concept, it eventually became the Audi Q7 which debuted at the Frankfurt Motorshow 2005. The Audi Q7 has garnered two international awards in the motoring world. The first is the �Golden Steering Wheel� award for the best new car of the year 2005 from a German Sunday newspaper. The second was awarded through a reader survey by a leading German SUV publication as the �Four-Wheel-Drive Car of the Year 2006�.
The Q7 incorporates the latest-generation Adaptive Air Suspension � a combination of air suspension and electronically controlled damping system � resulting in a perfect synthesis of sporty handling and supple ride comfort. For those who like to vary their drive experience, they can select either �Dynamic� setting for a harder, sportier drive or �Comfort� for a smoother ride. For the less initiated, he or she may just dial-in �Auto� setting via Audi�s MMI interface.
Two variants of the new Audi Q7 are available through Euromobil and its dealers. The 3.0 V6 TDI punches out 233bhp at 4000rpm and 500Nm from 1750 � 2750rpm. The petrol-powered 4.2 V8 FSI is capable of 350bhp at 6800rpm and 440Nm at 3500rpm. Audi Q7 3.0 TDI retails at RM580,200 while the flagship 4.2L V8 FSI is tagged at RM750,200. All prices quoted are for 5-seater versions, on-the-road without insurance.
Full press release below:
Audi Q7: The performance SUV
Sportiness and power
The new Audi Q7 sets new standards in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. It ingeniously combines sportiness and versatility, sophisticated technology and the luxury of a premium-class vehicle. On the road it excels with sporty driving performance and dynamism; off-road its uncompromising propulsion is dazzling. The Audi Q7 is the performance SUV from the creator of quattro.
The very design epitomises the character of the Audi Q7. The broad, fluent curve of the roof and the distinctive high lateral body surface in relation to the flat window area reflect the characteristic dynamism of the brand. The pronounced tapering of the front section and the powerful rear end with its sharply sloping D-pillars fashioned in a coupe-like silhouette. Other typical elements of the Audi formal idiom are the shoulder line and the dynamic line, which define the side section. The paintwork option of two contrasting colours � Silver, matt and Platinum Grey, matt � creates an elegant look. Eleven basic colours are available.
Body design
The Audi Q7 measures 5,086 millimetres in length and has a wheelbase of 3,002 mm. These dimensions give it the lead in the SUV contest. Some 1,983 mm wide and 1,737 mm high, it provides incomparable spaciousness for its passengers. It also offers a new dimension in versatility: no less than 28 seating and loading configurations are possible in the Audi Q7.
Up to seven people can be accommodated in three rows of seats. The seats in the second row can be individually adjusted for fore/aft movement if desired; here passengers will find the longest legroom in this class. Both rear seat rows can be folded flat to provide a luggage area of 2,035 litres if required, without the seats having to be removed. As a 5-seater version the Audi Q7 boasts a load capacity of 775 litres � the best in its class. The 6-seater is fitted with two luxurious individual seats in the second row.
Engine range
When the Audi Q7 is launched, customers will have the choice of two powerful engines: the new 4.2-litre V8 with FSI petrol direct injection develops 257 kW (350 bhp) and achieves a maximum torque of 440 Newton-metres, available at 3,500 rpm.
The 3.0 TDI six-cylinder engine uses a latest-generation common rail injection system with piezo inline injectors. In this way it combines its high performance of 171 kW (233 bhp) and powerful torque of 500 Nm � available from just 1,750 rpm � with high refinement and excellent economy.
Also new is the 3.6-litre FSI, a V6 petrol engine, developing 206 kW/280 bhp and 360 Nm of torque, the latter remaining constant from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. This engine can be ordered for the Audi Q7 starting from the second half of the year. Power transmission for all three engine versions comes from a 6-speed tiptronic with manual shift option.
For the Audi Q7 to be equipped as standard with quattro permanent four-wheel drive is naturally a matter of honour. Its centre differential conveys power to all four wheels � both on-road and off-road. With its immediate demand-based distribution of torque, quattro technology provides maximum traction and lateral stability � the prerequisites for optimum driving dynamics and motoring safety. This drive concept has proven its qualities for more than 25 years: over two million production Audi models have left the assembly line with this technology and countless victories have been notched up on the racetrack and in rallies by virtue of this system.
Like the Audi RS 4 and the Audi S8, the Audi Q7 features the latest-generation self-locking differential with asymmetric/dynamic torque split. The standard split between front and rear axle is 40 : 60. Also thanks to virtually balanced axle load distribution, this technology engenders slightly sporty, tail-heavy characteristics, even better agility and steering precision that remains practically free of torque steer.
Suspension
The chassis of the Audi Q7 excels with its sophisticated all-round qualities. All four wheels are suspended independently in an elaborate double wishbone construction. Most of the axle components are made of aluminium. The steel-spring suspension and twin-tube shock absorbers are designed for sporty driving and superior comfort, even off-road. The tilted position of the rear spring and shock absorber unit reduces overall height and creates more room at the rear.
The Audi Q7 is equipped as standard with 235/60 tyres on 18-inch alloy wheels; tyres on the 4.2 FSI are 255/55 in size. All versions of the performance SUV can be fitted optionally with 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.
The electronic stabilisation program ESP includes numerous new functions. One of these is hill descent assist, an additional special off-road mode that optimises brake performance and traction especially on loose ground. Last but not least, if the Audi Q7 is fitted with the optional towing bracket, the trailer stabilisation system reduces the risk of a fishtailing trailer by means of targeted brake intervention.
Available as an option is adaptive air suspension. The combination of air suspension and an electronically controlled damping system represents the perfect synthesis of sporty handling and supreme ride comfort. The standard dynamic roll stabilisation system reduces body sway about the longitudinal axis to a minimum.
With adaptive air suspension ground clearance is variable, starting at 180 millimetres and extending to 240 mm in lift mode. The off-road mode, with 205 mm ground clearance and suitably adapted damper control, allows travel on challenging terrain. The loading sill has a particularly convenient feature: it can be lowered to enable heavy objects to be loaded effortlessly into the luggage area.
Operation and assistance systems
High-tech components in the new Audi Q7 are by no means restricted to drivetrain and suspension � they also feature in the controls. The Audi Q7 is equipped as standard with the innovative MMI operating concept � much praised on the A8 and A6. It can be extended in two stages to include a variety of additional functions.
A number of innovative driver assistance systems, introduced for the first time in standard production, are available on request. These include Audi side assist with radar technology for lane-changing manoeuvres, the Audi parking system advanced with optical and acoustic guidance and rear-view camera and the latest-generation Audi cruise control with braking guard, which decelerates the Audi Q7 and brings it to a standstill if required.
BMW Malaysia launched the new BMW X5 SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle in BMW speak) for sale starting 30th May 2007. The all-new E70 BMW X5 is the second generation of premium, high-performance SUV to come from this Munich automaker, with the predecessor having debuted in 2001. The E53 X5 set the standard for on-road sporty driving dynamics then, yet capable to tackle off-road paths should the need arises. 
Continuing this tradition of benchmark handling for a tall-SUV, the new X5 is fitted with BMW�s high tech permanent all-wheel drive system (xDrive), double wishbone front/ multi-link rear suspensions plus Active Steering. Standard on the BMW X5 4.8i is BMW�s AdaptiveDrive featuring active anti-roll bars and constantly variable damper settings. The result is a more composed, stable and �flatter� ride/handling; whatever the road conditions, steering, braking and/or throttle inputs.
The retail prices on-the-road without insurance (with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair) for the new X5s are:
