I feel good behind the wheel of the Audi Q7 TDI — good being a general state of mind that carries over on many levels. Good because I’m cooly confident behind the wheel of a properly engineered vehicle that takes cues from the R7 Le Man-winner. Good, because I’m in clean diesel vehicles that rely on high compression ratios creating additional power and torque (225 hp / 406 lb-ft), while keeping fuel economy sweet and low. ( 17/25 city/highway, 20 mpg combined.) Good because I know can go long and wide — over 600 miles without fueling up. That’s enough to drive from Detroit to New York City without refueling.
Doe the Audi Q7 TDI take down the competition? (The BMW X5, the Mercedes GL320 BlueTEC, GL450, and the GL550.) I would be a fool to straight diss any of these vehicles out and out — each has it’s merits – preference comes down to detail and I like the smoothed-out aluminum tailgate and interior refined touches like the bonanza of 14 cup holders. This segment is interesting — it establishes benchmark for the clean SUV circuit that will be instrumental at all price points.
Next up, we’re really looking forward to the svelte 2010 Audi A3 TDI: Hello 42 MPG!
More Gotryke on Audi:
The Q7 story at the NY Auto Show
Audi at Sebring
The diesel debate on Kicking Tires.
More on the Audi Q7 TDI
- Lindsay Lohan Rants To Samantha Ronson On Twitter (socialitelife.celebuzz.com)
- Aiming for a premium SUV (telegraph.co.uk)
- Driven: 2009 Audi Q7 TDI (blogs.thecarconnection.com)
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