Bentley CEO Confirms SUV and Smaller Four-Seat Sports Car

The above photo is not the actual Bentley SUV but a rendering from the Xenatec Group

At the recent Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event in Monterey, California, Bentley boss Wolfgang Duerheimer told reporters that the British luxury carmaker is indeed looking to add an SUV model to its range, confirming earlier reports.

Duerheimer went into more details revealing that the crossover model would utilize the platform architecture as well as other hardware from the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 models.

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Posted on 15.31 / 0 comments / Read More

U-Spy: Audi Q7 Pickup Truck is the Real Deal

A little over a month ago, we showed you a photo of a two-door Audi Q7 Pickup Truck, wondering at the same time if the picture was real or the result of some handy digital manipulation.

Earlier this week, autoscardesign reader "Majdo-dk" tipped us off through our comments that the Audi Q7 Pickup Truck does indeed exist in real life, and to prove it, he pointed us towards a Facebook page with four photos of the one-off model.

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Posted on 16.41 / 0 comments / Read More

Audi Q7 Pickup Truck Photo Begs the Question: Is it Real or Fake?

This photograph of an Audi Q7 SUV turned into a pickup with an aluminum truck bed appeared today on several sites, all pointing towards an Audi fan blog as the source.

Over the years, we’ve seen one too many photo-chops making the internet rounds to take everything we see online for granted. In this case, even though there appears to be an inconsistency in the shadows between the lower parts of the front door and the rear panel, we just can’t be 100 percent sure.

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Posted on 12.49 / 0 comments / Read More

Audi: 38 Percent of all Models Sold in 2010 were Equipped with Quattro Drive

In 2010, the year that Audi celebrated the 30th anniversary of the quattro, it sold an impressive 437,792 quattro-equipped cars, or about 38 percent of its total production. The brand with the four rings said it sells more all-wheel drive vehicles than any other premium manufacturer in the world.

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Posted on 16.51 / 0 comments / Read More

MR Car Design Tunes 374-horse Audi Q7 V8 TDI, Brings its Styling in Line with the Facelift Model

The pre-facelift Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is the focus of MR Car Design's latest tune. The German firm starts off with the exterior styling of the large SUV, bringing it in line with the refreshed Q7. The kit includes a front bumper with LED daytime running lights, new headlamps and LED tail lights. There's also a new set of 22-inch wheels wrapped in 265/35-22 rubber, while interior improvements are limited to an available sports steering wheel sourced from the RS6.

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Posted on 14.16 / 0 comments / Read More

Project Kahn gives the 2011 Audi Q7 a Styling Makeover

Striving to improve the look of the 2011 Audi Q7, British tuner Project Kahn released a comprehensive styling package for the German SUV. While there’s nothing wrong with that, we feel that an engine conversion would’ve been a welcome addition as well, justifying the aggressiveness of the wide body kit.

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Posted on 10.20 / 0 comments / Read More

Anderson Germany Rolls Out Tuned Audi Q7 V12 Diesel with 550HP

Tuning specialist Anderson Germany has got its hands on the most insane version of Audi's Q7 SUV, the flagship V12 TDI model. In stock form, the 12-cylinder oil-burner generates an output of 500 horsepower and a ludicrous 1,000 Nm (757.56 lb-ft) of torque from six liters of displacement, enough to get the all-wheel drive model to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.5 seconds. A new air filter and software optimizations from Anderson Germany help increase output by 10 per cent to 550-horsepower.

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Posted on 15.33 / 0 comments / Read More

Project Kahn Tunes into the Audi Q7 for the First Time

Over the years, Project Kahn has presented an array of mods for the likes of the Range Rover Sport and Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, but now the time has come for the UK-based tuner to unveil its first take on the Audi Q7.

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Posted on 11.34 / 0 comments / Read More

New Audi Q7 3.0 TDI with 204HP V6 Diesel

A new EU5-compliant diesel engine has been added to the European range of its recently updated Audi Q7. The 3.0 liter V6 common-rail turbo diesel that drives Audi's large SUV delivers an output of 204HP (150 kW) and 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of peak torque available between 1,250 and 2,750 rpm.

As with all Q7 models, the 3.0 TDI features a start-stop system that deactivates the engine as soon as the vehicle comes to a stop, and an energy recovery system that stores energy during deceleration, as standard. An eight-speed tiptronic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive round out the drivetrain package.

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Posted on 05.59 / 0 comments / Read More

2011 Audi Q7 SUV Gains New V6 Engines Including 333HP Supercharged TFSI and 8-Speed Autos

Less than a year after the world premiere of the facelifted Q7 at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, and Audi is updating its luxury SUV with the introduction of three new V6 engines and an 8-speed tiptronic transmission.

The two gasoline and one diesel V6 combine forced induction and direct fuel injection, while a high-performance recuperation system that recovers energy during braking is also a standard item.

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Posted on 17.58 / 0 comments / Read More

Scottish Police Turn Crime Gang's Audi Q7 S-Line to a Patrol Car

As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. A £40,000 black Audi Q7 TDI S-Line seized from a criminal gang in the north of Glasgow will now be used as a patrol car by Strathclyde Police, Scotland's largest police force, and one of the biggest in the United Kingdom, in its fight against organized crime.

This is the very first time that the specific police department makes use of a confiscated vehicle for its own benefit.

"This is a first for Strathclyde Police, but it certainly won't be the last," said Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson in a prepared statement.

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Posted on 09.26 / 0 comments / Read More

Audi Q7 Uber-Stretched Limo with Gullwing Style Doors

Limo builders in the States love going to extremes with their creations. A perfect example is this 2010 Audi Q7 stretch-limousine conversion that can fit up to 16 passengers. Open the gullwing doors and you'll be greeted by an interior that reeks of alcohol disco bling with neon lights, flat screen TVs, alligator and snake upholstery, and get this - a fishtank... Bling yourselves to death in the photo gallery after the jump.

Link: Royaluxury

Posted on 11.31 / 0 comments / Read More

Audi Confirms Q5 Hybrid (2011) and A7 Sports Sedan (2010)

Audi has published new details on its future product plans that include the introduction of several new vehicles such as brand's first full hybrid model based on the Q5. The Ingolstadt automaker said that by 2015, the brand will have enlarged its vehicle portfolio from currently 34 to 42 models.

In particular, 2010 will see Audi launching a series of new cars like the A1 premium supermini, the A7 based on the Sportback Concept, the new A8 limo and the R8 Spyder. Though no specific details were released, the automaker said that it will unveil the Q5 Hybrid at the end of 2010, with sales beginning in early 2011.

The German company said that it plans to devote around 5.9 billion euros or about 80 percent of its total investment in fixed assets through 2012, to new product development, further optimization of conventional drivelines and the development of electric and hybrid models.

"With our planned investments in new products and mobility concepts, for example electric propulsion, we are creating a basis for our company's future growth," said Axel Strotbek, Member of the Board of Management for Finance and Organization at AUDI AG.

PS: Standard Q5 and Sportback Concept pictured

Posted on 05.30 / 0 comments / Read More

Senna Tuning Gives a Boost to the Audi Q7 4.2 V8

Catering the needs of those that aren't satisfied with the standard Audi Q7 4.2 V8, Senna Tuning has released a fresh range of performance and styling goodies for the luxury SUV. After tinkering with the engine's electronics, the 4.2-liter V8 gets output increased from 350HP to 374HP and torque from 440Nm to 470Nm or 347 lb-ft.

The package includes a new sport exhaust system and a lowering kit that brings the Audi Q7's body 40mm closer to the road while Senna Tuning also equipped the SUV with 22-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 295/30 R22 Goodyear tires.

Finally, the German tuner spices up the Q7 4.2 V8 with the front apron, rear bumper, side sills, wheel arch extensions and front grille from the Q7 V12 TDi and LED daytime running lights from the Audi S6.

Posted on 09.00 / 0 comments / Read More

2010 Audi Q7 Facelift Priced from $46,900 in the States

Audi has released pricing on the redesigned 2010 Q7 large SUV that is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealerships in September. Featuring subtle exterior and interior tweaks as well a revised engine lineup that benefits from the introduction of a new energy recovery system, the Q7 is available in the U.S. with three powertrain options.

The base model that is powered by a 280HP 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine starts from $46,900 while diesel-lovers can opt for 3.0 V6 TDI that pumps out 240HP and is priced from $50,900. At the top of the range is a 4.2 liter V8 gasoline engine with 350HP, with prices starting from $61,000.

Exterior enhancements for the 2010 model year include newly designed alloy wheels, updated front and rear bumpers, revised headlamps and tail lights, reworked single frame grille in gloss black with vertical chrome strips, exterior mirror housings, and a new lower body panel trim with contrast paint for the Q7 3.6 quattro, full body paint with Chrome package on the Q7 TDI quattro diesel, and S line treatment on the Q7 4.2 quattro.

Inside, the list of upgrades include optional ventilated front seats, new decorative trim on the passenger side of the dashboard, additional ambient lighting on all four doors, an upgraded MMI system, additional interior chrome accents, and a new instrumentation font.

Posted on 15.03 / 0 comments / Read More

ABT Audi Q7 V12 TDI gets 560 Diesel Ponies

Volkswagen Group tuning specialist ABT is turning up the wick on the diesel powered Audi Q7 V12 TDI. In standard form, the 6.0-liter V12 turbo diesel delivers an output of 500 HP and a maximum torque of 1,000 Nm or 738-lb/ft launching the Q7 from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph. After ABT's intervention, the Q7's V12 diesel cranks out 560HP and 1,200 Nm or 885-lbs/ft of torque for 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 258km/h or 160mph.

ABT has yet to release any other details on its new creation, but expect the firm to offer numerous other upgrades for the SUV including larger alloy wheels, aerodynamic accessories and interior enhancements.

Posted on 07.19 / 0 comments / Read More

Avus Performance Takes on the Audi Q7

German tuning boutique Avus Performance has unleashed its latest offering based on the pre-facelift Audi Q7 fitted with the 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel engine. To give the large SUV some extra oomph, Avus Performance updated the software of the V8 diesel's ECU thus boosting output from 326HP to 365HP and peak torque from 760Nm to 880Nm or 649-lbs/ft. According to the German firm, the result is a 0-62mph (100km/h) time in the 6.0 second range and a top speed of 245km/h or 152mph.

Furthermore, the Q7's air suspension has been upgraded with a new electronic lowering module that allows the SUV's ride height to be lowered by up to 90mm.

The package also includes 23-inch alloy wheels in silver, titanium and various other colors, LED daytime running lights, darker tail lamps, black front grille and optionally, a high-end audio-video system with additional monitors integrated at the back of the front headrests.

Posted on 13.54 / 0 comments / Read More