Audi's redesigned 2016 Q7 SUV made its debut in January at the Detroit auto show, but the lineup is far from complete. At the Geneva auto show, Audi has fully detailed the e-tron derivative that combines a diesel engine with a plug-in powertrain, and the Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI Quattro claims to be one of the most efficient SUVs on the market.
The heart of this Q7 is the well-known, smooth 3.0-liter TDI V-6, which produces 258 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque in this single-turbo application. It is mated to a 126-hp, 258-lb-ft electric motor that helps boost combined output to 373 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. This translates into a claimed 0-to-62-mph sprint in six seconds flat—and a top speed of (a rather unimpressive) 140 mph. Fuel economy is rated at a chuckle-worthy 136 mpg in the equally chuckle-worthy European test cycle that's aimed at facilitating the introduction of more plug-in hybrids into that market.
The Q7 e-tron will be able to travel up to 35 miles on an electric charge, although we suspect that doesn't include any acceleration runs. Recharging the liquid-cooled, 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack (comprised of 168 cells) takes 2.5 hours using high-voltage outlets. Fitted with an eight-speed automatic, the Q7 e-tron is a full-time all-wheel drive vehicle. It generally launches from a stop in fully electric mode, and two progressive detents in the accelerator pedal's travel signal the powertrain that you want, first, the TDI engine to light and, second, to unleash the full might of the hybrid system.
The hybrid system allows for several modes of operation: Besides fully electric driving and a hybrid mode, it features a mode that holds the battery charge and another to force-charge it. And there's more: In hybrid mode and with the transmission in "D," the big SUV will "sail" when the driver lets off the gas by decoupling the powertrain from the driveline; with the transmission in "S," it will begin to recover energy immediately with various degrees of intensity that can be selected by means of the paddles mounted on the steering wheel.
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This car is also a know-it-all nanny, monitoring traffic and surroundings, and hinting at slowing down when approaching a light, a corner, or a speed-limited zone. It might be rather bossy, but it'll never leave you bored. It also features a unique grille treatment, front fascia, and 19-inch wheels.
In Europe, the Q7 e-tron will be available starting in early 2016. While we'd heard in Detroit that this model was coming here, there remains no official confirmation on a U.S.-market launch of this most complex of Q7 models. Audi is strongly considering it, however.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
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