Monday 18th September 2006

SUV gets Le Mans diesel motor

Six litres and 737lb-ft of torque from V12

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Audi Q7 V12 TDI

Audi’s announced a version of the Q7 SUV with the Le Mans-winning V12 TDI engine inside it.

According to Audi, its 737lb-ft of torque (that's 1,000Nm in new money) of torque makes it the world’s most powerful diesel passenger car -- although the petrol-powered Bentley Arnage's recent engine update (see link below) also provided that car with 1,000Nm of torque. Nonetheless, Audi's using the experience gained from its diesel-powered Le Mans-winning efforts to drop in the 6.0-litre, 493bhp V12 engine and make it available "in fully fledged series production Q7 models in the foreseeable future".

Currently undergoing pre-production testing, the compact unit produces its torque peak -- which is 258lb-ft more than the 4.2-litre V8 TDI that powers the A8 -- from 1,750rpm, and distributes it via the quattro four-wheel-drive system and purpose-built, strengthened six-speed tiptronic transmission. The power propels the Q7 to 62mph from rest in 5.5 seconds, and to its electronically limited Vmax of 155mph. Audi reckons that, despite the impressive performance, it returns 23.7mpg on the combined cycle, close to many less powerful V6 TDI SUVs.

Two turbo chargers and a modified version of the piezo common rail fuel injection system used by six and eight-cylinder Audi TDI engines play a major role in the power delivery of the Q7 V12 TDI. The adapted piezo system boosts pressure in the injectors from 1,600bar -- the maximum achieved so far -- to 2,000 bar, optimising efficiency and performance. The cutting edge injection technology, in combination with a specially developed exhaust gas recirculation system and a diesel particulate filter mean the unit meets EU5 targets for emissions applicable from 2010.

One of the units most noticeable characteristics at Le Mans was its quiet running; the road-going engine will follow suit.

The Q7 V12 TDI test car's distinguished by a new front end design featuring a chrome plated grille and LED strip daytime running lights, additional under-body protection panelling and large-bore exhausts.

• Related story: Bentley Arnage gains power

[hendry]

Oh, is the Arnage diesel then?

[burtjp]

haha nice observation

[victormeldrew]

hendry said:

Oh, is the Arnage diesel then?

Quite. The claim is "the most powerful diesel passenger car".

I expected this engine in the A8, but I suppose it makes sense in the Q7 given that is hardly ever likely to go off road!

Edited by victormeldrew on Monday 18th September 11:28

[Top Trump]

Is this the future?

[else]

If we now have a diesel in the Bentley range I wonder how long before we see an F50D

[chrisbr68]

That thing wouldnt even need gears! Mental!!! Must be crazy to drive, I remember them saying that the LM audi had problems putting the power down, esp in the wet, where it was really tooo powerful. But with that weight, 4wd and all the electronics I suppose it would be a different story.

I do think its fugly though.

Edited by chrisbr68 on Monday 18th September 11:59

[clubsport]

That is a some serious output, even in such a barge......I wonder what the torque would get up to once the serious remap specialists like DMS get a chance to play? I couldn't sfford to keep the thing in tyres!

[joust]

Tempted - seriously tempted to replace the X5...

J

[john_r]

"rant mode on"

Pointless vehicle.

If ya wanna drive fast, get something for the weekend. If ya wanna lug children/dogs/assorted crud around, get something to do that separately!

People with too much money, no sense and zero driving ability buy high performance SUV's.

"rant mode off"

[xiphias]

Large sweeping statements don't go down well!

When they putting this engine in a murky larger?

[FestivAli]

john_r said:

"rant mode on"

Pointless vehicle.

If ya wanna drive fast, get something for the weekend. If ya wanna lug children/dogs/assorted crud around, get something to do that separately!

People with too much money, no sense and zero driving ability buy high performance SUV's.

"rant mode off"

Have to say I agree. Whilst I don't mind large SUVs I do find the performance ones a tad pointless - I'm sure the engine in the Cayenne Turbo S would be more fun in a car with a lower centre of gravity for example. As if you'd take it off road. This kind of vehicle ownership screams 'oneupmanship' to me, although I'd like to know your reasons Joust because you have a rather tasty garage I must say.

Ali.

[joust]

john_r said:

"rant mode on"
Pointless vehicle.
If ya wanna drive fast, get something for the weekend. If ya wanna lug children/dogs/assorted crud around, get something to do that separately!
People with too much money, no sense and zero driving ability buy high performance SUV's.
"rant mode off"

Thank you for telling me I have zero driving ability.

You tt.

J

[joust]

FestivAli said:

Have to say I agree. Whilst I don't mind large SUVs I do find the performance ones a tad pointless - I'm sure the engine in the Cayenne Turbo S would be more fun in a car with a lower centre of gravity for example. As if you'd take it off road. This kind of vehicle ownership screams 'oneupmanship' to me, although I'd like to know your reasons Joust because you have a rather tasty garage I must say.
Ali.

Personal choice. Simple as that.

It's a fundamental part of a democratic society that I can choose exactly what I want to do within the law.

I have no desire to defend my choice, except to say it is my choice to drive what I am legally allowed to drive.

Oh, and I also don't see why I should not enjoy good performance from a car when I want to take my partner, two friends, skis and a weeks worth of clothes to the South of France sking / go to the tip / go shopping etc.

J

[elwe]

john_r said:

Pointless vehicle.

That not true, the point of it is for idiots to buy them and roll them going into corners too fast. Thus writing them off and allowing the engines to be resold cheaply to kit car builders like me.

[R998]

Q7's not really my thing, but this will be interesting once it finds it's way into a Lamborghini.

[victormeldrew]

There was a whole thread on the possibility of a Lambo Diesel a while back, and the concensus seemed to be that people who suggested (or supported) the idea (like me!) should be burned at the stake as heretics. Despite the LeMans win I doubt much has changed - it didn't play to the same rules, its too quiet (!), the sound is all wrong (!!). Woud any of that bother me as I hurtled off into the distance, or arrived at Le Mans two hours earlier? No!

Not that I could afford a Lambo anyway, but if I could I'd have a Diesel one just to annoy "petrol"heads!

[MarkoTVR]

[nitpick mode ON]
"The adapted piezo system boosts pressure in the injectors from 1,600bar -- the maximum achieved so far -- to 2,000 bar"

Should that be psi, and not bar? Just got visions of diesel at 28,000 psi blasting though the block........
[nitpick mode OFF]

[vinceh]

joust said:

It's a fundamental part of a democratic society that I can choose exactly what I want to do within the law.

I have no desire to defend my choice, except to say it is my choice to drive what I am legally allowed to drive.

Oh, and I also don't see why I should not enjoy good performance from a car when I want to take my partner, two friends, skis and a weeks worth of clothes to the South of France sking / go to the tip / go shopping etc.

J

But wouldn't it all happen better in a 4.8is?

[chrisbr68]

MarkoTVR said:

[nitpick mode ON]
"The adapted piezo system boosts pressure in the injectors from 1,600bar -- the maximum achieved so far -- to 2,000 bar"

Should that be psi, and not bar? Just got visions of diesel at 28,000 psi blasting though the block........
[nitpick mode OFF]

I think its just a typo. I guess it means 2 bar which is 28 psi or so iirc.

[bengie]

Nope, that'll really be 2000 Bar.

My 6 year old Astra runs at 1500 Bar.