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Mar 3, 2008 08:20 AM
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Detroit, 12:09 AM
Wed Feb 10
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Just in case you thought the new Q7 V12 TDI wasn't ridiculous enough with its 757.5 lb-ft of torque, Audi has made this nautically-themed Q7 Coastline Concept. Though we've gotta say that while this thing certainly is a land yacht, Audi missed the boat by not fully capitalizing on the maritime theme. First off, any ego-stroking self-respecting yacht owner needs a captain's hat, and plainly there is none such haberdashery included. There's also a very embarrassing lack of a "tender" vehicle; you would think that with all that V12 TDI torque you'd at least be able to tow along a Rinspeed sQuba or two. And while all the dark smoked oak trim is nice, we also wish the steering wheel was wooden with external spoke-handles. Oh, and the gear selector should be a big, brass lever. However there is one extravagance the we really like on the Q7 Coastline: the sun deck, which is just perfect for catching a tan... oh wait, that's the roof.
Audi is presenting a very special concept car at the Geneva Motor Show: The Audi Q7 coastline combines the breathtaking power of a twelve-cylinder TDI with the elegant style of an exclusive yacht. A large part of the high-performance SUV's exterior and interior is bathed in a trendy white. Under the hood resides the world's strongest diesel engine in a series-production vehicle - the six-liter V12 capable of delivering 368 kW (500 hp) of power.The Audi Q7 coastline comes in Inuit, a special white that creates a pearl effect reminiscent of the glistening luminance of the polar region. Audi, the leading brand in automotive design, initiated a popular trend with this color years ago - studies such as the white Shooting Brake Concept displayed at the Geneva Motor Show 2006 have become style-setters.
In contrast to the production version of the Q7 V12 TDI, the casing for the exterior mirrors on the Audi Q7 coastline is white as well; the single-frame radiator grill and the side air intake slots come in dark High Gloss Steel. The Audi Q7 coastline has the same body modifications as the Audi Q7 V12 TDI, with widened wheel arches and striking front and back bumpers that immediately catch the eye.
The equally stylish and trendy interior is dominated by alabaster white, a color popular on luxury yachts. Also in luminous white are the carpet, embroidered floor mats made of fine wool, pillar trim, roof lining, seat upholstery made of plush velvet and Valcona leather, seatbelts, steering wheel, the front of the cockpit and the door trim. The majority of the switches and controls as well as the instrument panel with cowl are likewise in this trendy color from Audi.
In the interior, additional accents are set by aluminum elements on components such as the air inlet nozzles and door handles. Further trendy touches include nut brown piping on the seats as well as fine brown piping on the instrument panel and the door. Parts of the armrest, the gearshift lever knob and the inner door sill trims are made of American walnut veneer in which thin strips made of dark smoked oak wood have been embedded as a further maritime reference. The same combination can also be found on the floor of the luggage compartment, which contains two integrated folding boxes. The wood is waxed, not varnished. As a result, the pores in the wood remain open, giving it a uniquely charming feel and silky glow.
Concentrated power and high efficiency: 368 kW (500 hp) and 1,000 Nm (757.56 lb-ft)
Under the hood of the Audi Q7 coastline concept car resides a concentrated powerhouse: The V12 TDI is writing a whole new chapter in the annals of diesel technology. Drawing on 5,934 cm3 of displacement, the six-liter engine delivers 368 kW (500 hp) of power and an impressive 1,000 Nm (757.56 lb-ft) of torque between 1,750 and 3,000 rpm. As a result, the vehicle performs like a world-class sportscar - sprinting from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 5.5 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). On average, the world's only 12-cylinder diesel engine in a passenger car uses just 11.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (19.77 mpg) - a much better figure than comparable gasoline engines from competitors.
The unique diesel power of the Audi Q7 with V12 TDI engine is not the only factor to render it the ultimate high-performance SUV. Equally sporty in nature are the vehicle's six-speed tiptronic and quattro drive as well as running gear with adaptive air suspension. Behind the large wheels are ceramic brake disks. A DVD navigation system, a Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System and leather seats with electric heating and adjustment switches are symptomatic of the luxurious standards in the Audi Q7 coastline.
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