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Audi Q7

novelties

Fiat 500 Sacrificed By Audi Q7 To Encourage Crash Compatibility Standards

This week ADAC, the German auto club, tried to convince automakers to consider small car crash compatibility when designing larger cars by obliterating a Fiat 500 with an Audi Q7. The point ADAC was trying to make is not that the Fiat 500 is unsafe — it actually scores five stars in Euro NCAP testing where the Audi Q7 only garners 4. Rather, the really awesome, slow-motion crash footage is intended to encourage automakers to engineer big cars with small-car crash survivability in mind. We don't know if it'll work, but you can just keep sending out crash test videos, ADAC. We'll keep scoring them to The Blue Danube. [Drive]

iron man

Iron Man Producers Gives Audi Happy Ending After Destroying R8s

Having driven both the Audi R8 and the Audi Q7, we have to say that although we enjoy driving both, Iron Man Director and Producer Jon Favreau goes a little over the top talking about these two beautiful babies. Yes indeed folks, the theatrical release of Iron Man is just days away and the marketing machine is kicking into full swing. Since Audi is a major sponsor of the film, we get to see two different videos where the men in charge of the movie blab on about how great the cars are. Well, great for driving, but perhaps not for filming because apparently they couldn't get the Q7 to lock its brakes or do a burnout. Oh — and they couldn't destroy the R8 in the way they'd initially wanted to. Destroy an R8 in a huge conflagration? Not a chance if Audi and their big check have anything to say about it. Only they can do that to the R8. Double video action below the fold, and possible ending or alternate ending spoilers. More »

new york auto show

Jalopnik Drives Hybrid Technologies Lithium-Powered Super Car

Hardigree and I drove our respective red supercars at roughly the same time yesterday. While he went for the flashy Audi R8 V12 LeMans TDI Prototype and was escorted through traffic like a Russian Oil Baron by a phalanx of Audi Q7s, I hopped into the Hybrid Technologies Lithium Powered Super Car with the guy who built it. There was no top, so I enjoyed the welcome good weather—at last!—in NYC. OK, maybe the name needs a little work, but the car itself was a hoot to drive.
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geneva motor show

Audi Q7 Coastline Concept Is A Real Land Yacht

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.

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geneva motor show

2009 Audi Q7 V12 TDI Revealed With Unbelievably Powerful Diesel Engine

While we were playing with Audi's smaller V8-powered diesel Q7 (thanks to the folks at Honeywell), it looks like the multi-ringed brand was working on taking the rocket-powered powerhouse of an SUV to a whole new oil-burning level with the new Audi Q7 V12 TDI. With the new bigger, longer and more uncut diesel engine under the hood it officially makes the new Q7 the most powerful diesel-powered passenger vehicle around. That big 6.0-liter engine generates a whopping 500 HP and (wait for it) an astonishing 757.5 lb-ft of torque. That means the new Q7 has a 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) time of just 5.5 seconds. On average, it requires just 11.9 liters of fuel per 100 km — a figure translating to roughly 19.77 MPG. Do want. Oh yes, definitely do want. Presales of the Audi Q7 V12 TDI will begin in Germany during the second half of 2008 and we're of the assumption people will be calling it a 2009 model. Full details below the jump.

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offbeat news

Another Google Street View Crash

It's darn near an epidemic. As unlikely as it may seem, we have captured pictures of another Google Street View accident. Not only is this one more dramatic, it features a much healthier dollop of schadenfreude. Where before we had a random car crash, here we have a double luxo-SUV smash-up featuring the fancy pants Audi Q7 and Landie's Range Rover outside of the Phoenix Country Club. Feel that? That's stereotype humor rocking your socks off. Take solice in that there is still an element of 'WTF?'. Somehow that Range Rover finished the action upside down, and considering the extent of the damage we're surprised to see the occupant dutifully taking down insurance info. This is making us wonder how many Street View accidents there are out there.[Google Maps]


industry news

Purported Audi Internal Product Release Schedule Leaks on to Internet, Reveals Underpowered Audi TT-S

A number of Audi fan forums across the internet have a spreadsheet showing up that purportedly shows a list of each and every product launch in Germany for 2008 (high-res shot here). Included in the spreadsheet are such noted notables as the Q5 and Q7 V12 TDI at the end of the third quarter, the Audi TT-S listed in the second quarter and the A4 Avant is listed with a spring 2008 reveal. But, what's most interesting is the power number revealed by the document for the Audi TT-S. More »