Fridae

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that all car makers are in a mad rush to downsize and spin out something green on a periodic basis to remind consumers that their brand is environmentally conscious. Oh, of course, there’s also the imperative need to remain an ongoing healthy financial entity.

And who can blame Audi for the need to have a juggernaut like the Q7 in its fast expanding showrooms? First launched in 2007, the Audi Q7 is a five-metre-long, 2.5-tonne SUV that is meant to drive better on the road than off it. This week, we look at the newly facelifted Q7 with those LED fancy lights that are fast becoming a must-have for anything premium.

Would you think this is the best time to be even bothered with such luxury SUVs? Well, there seems to be a marked resistance amongst certain consumers to make even the smallest sacrifice to their existing lifestyles. Hence Audi cannot afford not to be in this game when Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Land Rover, Volkswagen, Volvo, BMW and even Porsche are already cashing in on luxury SUVs. Bottom line is that Audi’s quirky Audi A6 Allroad was unable to keep up with the big rivals.

We like to think that the Q7 is quite easily the most imposing car on sale in Singapore. Yes, the 7-seater has lines that makes even Mercedes’ GL look errr…mute. Just examine the refreshed Q7’s front for proof. The styling tweaks include a redesigned large single-frame radiator grille, new bumpers and the newly integrated underbody protection in the center section of the bumper with a distinctive ribbed design. But none are more eye-catching than those four rows of LEDs located on the top of the headlamps and along the bumpers on the upper edge of the air intakes. The end result; this is almost The Predator on wheels.

Least the small-ish, slim side windows make the Q7 looks somewhat slick like all Audi Avants. Whatever issues you have with the exterior, there’s no denying that the inside of the Q7 is a masterpiece. Materials, switchgear and trim are all first rate, as is perceived quality. Fit and finish is impeccable. It’s a lovely place to spend time and in moments of needs, there will be room for some B&B Italia pieces with the seats folded down.

The Audi Q7 is based loosely on the mechanical architecture of the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne and that is a good thing since Audi gets to inherit the tried and tested formula to give the Q7 a nice ride and handling balance. The quattro set-up is biased towards road driving. Under normal driving conditions, power is split 40/60 front to rear, which gives the unapologetically huge Q7 a surprising nice handling balance in brisk driving as it shrinks around you when you’re at the wheel. As for ride comforts, the bigger the boat, the better the ride at sea, and it’s the same principle here.

The Q7's 2235kg kerb weight means that the 3.6 litre engine has to be worked quite hard, especially as the full 280bhp isn't available until 6200rpm. All 360 NM of torque is available from 2500rpm, but it still doesn't feel quite as rapid as you’d like. It never quite feels like the claimed 8.5 secs to hit 100km/h from a standstill. Fill the car with seven people and luggage, and we suspect it will be a tardy affair. Regardless, the V6 is a very refined unit - as at slightly above legal speed limits on Singapore roads, only some wind noises can be audible as a result of those huge side mirrors.

If your lifestyle requires a SUV to seat seven adults comfortably, other then the Q7, you’ll need a Land Rover Discovery or a Mercedes GL-class. The Q7 earns respect as it drives/rides well, has a fabulous interior, is quiet, a relative bargain compared to the competition and will do some off road. But it still left us feeling conspicuous to drive something this big.