the Bucket: Bucket Seat: Audi Q7 55 TFSI Black Edition

Earlier this year Audi South Africa launched specific models to enhance their Q7 and Q8 range, I was there to attend it and drove around in some special models, namely the RSQ8 and the SQ7. Both of these cars powered by that 4.0L V8 but in different performance specs gave a good experience in terms of the versatility of that engine, though the journey was short it was still rather enjoyable as long as I didn't have to fit the bill for the fuel. So it got me thinking, which would be the perfect engine for a big SUV? I normally tend to sway for the diesel powered engines, seeing that it gives you longer range but when it comes to performance, you still can't be the petrol engines. Looking at the engine line-up, the 55 TFSI engine looked like the sweet spot but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to drive one at the launch but as lady luck would have it, Audi South Africa sent a Q7 packing this engine to Durban for me to test and this is how it went.

DESIGN

The overall design of the Q7 still remains the same with some modifications to the front and rear bumper and making the grille more pronounced. The matrix LED headlights are the star of the show, both front and back and with the various designs for the daytime running lights, one can chance the look of the car whenever you feel like. The Black Edition treatment gives the Q7 a darker, more assertive look without becoming showy. Rear treatment is clean and horizontal, a good match for the large, three-row silhouette. The Black Edition typically adds gloss-black trim, larger wheel options and darker badges that suit buyers who want a sportier executive look rather than chrome-heavy bling. Local dealers list the Black Edition as a top visually distinct trim in the Q7 lineup and it includes quite a bit of extras as part of the package, so instead of individually specifying them when buying the car, the Black Edition package offers most of the practical extras at a discounted rate.

PERFORMANCE

Now it was time to find out if the 55 TFSI V6 motor is the sweet spot from the line-up, the engine is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 producing about 250 kW and 500 Nm, routed through a Tiptronic/automatic gearbox and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive. That combination gives brisk real-world acceleration 0–100 km/h in roughly 5.6 s claimed and confident overtaking, traits that make long highway runs or hilly passes around the Cape or KwaZulu-Natal feel effortless. Fuel consumption is advertised in the high single-digit to low double-digits at around 9–10 L/100 km , so expect premium petrol bills if you drive it hard. The car has plenty power on demand and shifting through the various driving modes aids the cars agility and response time. The Q7 steers with predictable, composed weight and the adaptive air suspension giving a comfortable balance all while keeping the car composed in twisty passes, but when give an open highway, it really can deliver some grunt. The Black Edition’s sporty visual cues don’t translate into a hardcore ride; this is a fast, comfortable cruiser rather than a track tool.

COMFORT

Like the Q8, the Q7 shares the same interior, while the interior quality is Audi-typical, that is high-grade materials, tight build, clear ergonomics and good insulation from road and wind noise, it's hard to ignore that it still has the old MMI user interface. The 7-seat layout is one of the Q7’s strongest selling points for South African families, the third row can seat adults for short trips and children for longer journeys, and the second row slides/tilts to aid access. Like all 7-seater SUV's, the luggage space with all seats up is limited, but folding the third row down gives you plenty of space to load. Comfort features you get in the Q7 are power front seats with memory, multi-zone climate control, high-quality leather or leather-look upholstery depending on options, and a generally quiet cabin that makes long Gauteng-to-Cape Town highway runs less fatiguing. The car has a generous amount of tech to showcase, such as dual touchscreen/virtual cockpit packaging: a digital instrument cluster with Audi's virtual cockpit, a main infotainment screen with MMI touch response, and integrated connectivity features (navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto depending on spec). Driver assists include adaptive cruise, lane assist, front/rear parking sensors and a suite of active safety electronics — in short, a modern set that’ll help in heavy city traffic and long highway driving. Higher option packs or the Black Edition’s available packages can add premium audio, reverse camera and upgraded driver assistance.

VERDICT

Overall the Q7 still remains a very attractive offering from the brand and the 55 TFSI engine provides plenty of power to lug this big frame around but did it answer my question of being the best engine for the Q7? It's a tough one because while the performance was on the money, one couldn't ignore that high fuel consumption. While the engine does have mild hybrid tech, it still remains quite a thirsty girl, so maybe it's worth considering the 4-cylinder derivatives if you're quite conscious on how many times you visit the fuel station. Other than that, it still is a beautiful SUV that is damn comfortable and dream to drive, despite its size it is easy to maneuver and with the PDC and cameras to assist, not too difficult to park as well.