Audi Q7

Maserati and Lamborghini Planning SUVs in 2012

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

The rumor mill is going into overdrive with reports that both Lamborghini and Maserati plan to launch an SUV in 2012, aiming to capitalize on the success of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X6. Aston Martin's recent decision to move ahead with its Lagonda SUV concept means that there are no longer any barriers to entering a market that may once have threatened to dilute super-luxury brands. Lamborghini's SUV is expected to be a modern revival of its famed LM002, produced from 1986 – 1993. Dubbed the LM00X and modeled on the Audi Q7 platform (Lamborghini is owned by Audi), it's expected to be fitted with the new 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 set to debut in the Audi S7 next year, Auto Express reports. Maserati's SUV meanwhile will be a refined version of the Kubang GT Wagon concept they unveiled in 2003. The new SUV will most likely take its design cues from the Quattroporte, though Russian designer Andrey Trofimchuk Simeonych has come up with an artful rendering (above) of what it could look like. Both the Lamborghini and Maserati SUVs will initially come in a sporty three-door configuration, with the Maserati most likely priced around $100,000 and the Lamborghini in the $150,000 range.

Gallery: Maserati SUV Concept

Tags: Aston Martin, Audi Q7, car design, Lamborghini, luxury cars, Maserati, Porsche Cayenne, SUV

2011 Audi Q7 gets Upgraded Engines and New 8-speed Transmission

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

2011 Audi Q7 (Germany) – click above for high-res image gallery

At the Leipzig Motor Show in Germany this week, Audi is launching a thoroughly revamped powertrain lineup for its big Q7 SUV that should improve performance and fuel efficiency. As usual both gas and diesel engines are available but for the first time since it launched no gasoline V8 engine will be available. Instead the lovely supercharged and direct injected 3.0-liter TFSI V6 that debuted in the S4 will be available in two power levels. A base version with 272 horsepower can be optioned up to the full 333 hp unit found in the S4.

Drivers that want a big SUV will probably prefer the upgraded 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel. With its 240 hp and 406 pound-feet of torque, it can easily tow 6,600 pounds while getting real world fuel economy of 25 mpg or more. The U.S. version stays at 225 hp when it arrives this fall. European drivers that want performance and fuel efficiency can also opt for a 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel. All Q7s get a new eight-speed automatic transmission for 2011. The new powertrains are expected reduce fuel consumption by up to 19 percent. The 2011 Q7 V6 TDI arrives in the U.S. in September while the gasoline TFSI V6 arrives in November.

Gallery: 2011 Audi Q7

[Source: Audi]

Tags: 2011, 2011 audi, 2011 Audi Q7, audi q7, Audi Q7 3.0 TDI, Audi Q7 Diesel, Audi Q7 TDI

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Audi Treats 2010 Q7 SUV to Some Subtle Updates

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Subtlety isn't a term you'd ordinarily associate with sport-utility vehicle. Certainly not one as large as the Audi Q7. But that may be the only word to describe the update which the German automaker has given to its largest SUV. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the 2009 model and the new 2010 version, so we'll tell you what they've done. Although the headlights are the same shape, they now incorporate a strip of LEDs; the front bumper has been subtly restyled, as has the rear end; the interior now has more wood veneer; there's a new satellite navigation system; and the 4.2-liter V8 turbo-diesel available overseas (but not in North America) gets a bump in power while consuming less oil. Again, subtle, as you can see from the images in the gallery below.

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Tags: audi, audi q7, audi q7 facelift, AudiQ7, AudiQ7Facelift, q7, sport utility, sport-utility vehicle, Sport-utilityVehicle, SportUtility, suv

Belstaff, Audi, Clooney & Pitt Team Up for Darfur

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Charity

Luxe British outerwear company Belstaff, founded in 1924 and known for their distinctive motorcycle jackets, is teaming up with Audi to produce a one-off SUV to benefit the charity founded by Ocean's Eleven co-stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The stars' charity, Not On Our Watch (NOOW), which my colleague Laura Malesich reported on earlier this year, raises awareness about humanitarian crises around the world. Belstaff and Audi are co-designing a special edition Q7 luxury SUV which will be sold to benefit NOOW's efforts in Darfur, Vogue UK reports. Earlier this week, Clooney and Pitt hosted a fundraiser for NOOW at the Venice Film Festival.

Tags: Audi, Audi Q7, AudiQ7, Belstaff, brad pitt, BradPitt, Darfur, george clooney, GeorgeClooney, NOOW, not on our watch, NotOnOurWatch, Oceans Eleven, OceansEleven, venice film festival, VeniceFilmFestival

Beckham Gets Free Audi Q7

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Celebrity Shopping

After having his armored BMW X5 stolen while eating lunch with his sons, David Beckham was offered a free Audi Q7 by Audi, which is the official sponsor of Beckham’s football team, Real Madrid. The car is his for the next year with only one caveat: Beckham has to drive it to training every day.

The Q7 is loaded with every extra that the company offers, making it worth around £70,000. It is a 4.2FSI in phantom black with pearl-effect paintwork and matching black leather interior. It is equipped with a car phone, flat screen television, Bose stereo, satellite navigation and a keyless entry and starting system. The first thing Beckham did with his new car was take it to the track – a challenging, professionally built track near the Real Madrid training grounds, where he tested its maneuverability and 154mph speed under the eyes of professional drivers.

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Tags: Audi, audi q7, beckham, bmw, car, david beckham, football, free, q7, racing, real Madrid, soccer, suv, training