Audi today announced that it has received three Residual Value Awards from ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data. The annual ALG Residual Value Awards recognize automakers’ outstanding achievements in producing new vehicles that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period. The Audi A5, A6 and Q7 received recognition for the 2014 model year. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Audi, First Drive, Luxury

If there’s to be a singular automotive theme guiding us into this second decade of the 21st century, it’s downsizing. If not in dimensions, then in displacement. Automakers, forced to adhere to higher government-mandated fuel economy standards and lower CO2 emissions, are beginning to collectively reduce engine size while attempting to maintain the thrust consumers demand.

The newest posterchild for this movement comes in an unlikely wrapper: the 2011 Audi Q7. Packing the same supercharged 3.0-liter V6 found in the S4 sports sedan, Audi bids adieu (or is that Auf Wiedersehen?) to the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 for the 2011 model year and brings with it the 2011 A8′s eight-speed automatic transmission. We tackled the congested highways and byways in and around Ingolstadt to see if the revised Q7 has the goods to placate both bureaucrats and buyers, while taking a deeper look into Audi’s new powertrain strategy. Click through to the jump to see if we can make sense of it all.

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Audi Q7 downsizes with an upside

First Drive: 2011 Audi Q7 downsizes with an upside originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 May 2025 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Technology, Crossover, Audi, Luxury

The all-new A8 and updated Q7 won’t be the only vehicles in Audi’s line-up to benefit from the automaker’s new eight-speed gearbox. According to dealer order guides released for the 2011 model year, the octo-cog-swapper is set to proliferate throughout the Audi line-up in the next year, with the automaker aiming for around 70% of it U.S. sales volume to come equipped with the new gearbox.

For the 2011 model year, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro sedan and Avant will come packing the eight-speed tranny, along with the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro coupe and cabriolet (the manual six-speed will only be available on the coupe). In addition, the revised Q7, with its new high- and low-output 3.0-liter supercharged V6s (cribbed from the S4 and A6), will replace the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 for the 2011 model year. Both engines, along with the new 3.0-liter TDI, will come equipped with the eight-speed auto.

Finally, Audi quietly revealed the 2.0 TFSI inline-four-equipped Q5 at the New York Auto Show, and part of the new package will also include the eight-speed ‘box.

Sales of the eight-speed automatic-equipped models will begin this fall, each delivering improved fuel economy, quicker downshifts and, thanks to its compact packaging, no additional weight gain over the standard six-speed tiptronic.

Eight-speed automatic transmission available on A4, A5 and Q5 this fall originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2026 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Europe, Audi, Diesel, Luxury

Along with blessing us with a revised TT for 2011, the Audi Q7 gets a few choice upgrades in its home market of Germany, including a few new engines and an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The upgraded Q7 doesn’t benefit from any new sheetmetal, though Audi has seen fit to put the S4′s supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 to good use under the hood of its behemoth SUV. Available in two states of tune, the blown V6 puts out 272 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in the base version, and the upgraded mill produces the same 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque as its sports sedan sibling.

A new 3.0-liter TDI is also available for the 2011 model year, delivering 240 hp and a more-than-adequate 406 lb-ft of twist from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. Not only does the new diesel deliver respectable performance times (0-60 in 7.9 seconds) and above average fuel economy, but the weight of the oilburner has been reduced by 44 pounds.

All revised, German-bound Q7s receive a new eight-speed automatic gearbox based on the outgoing six-speed cog-swapper, with higher ratios and Tiptronic actuation, along with standard Drive and Sport modes. There’s no word on whether this transmission is bound for the U.S. market in the near future, but we’d suspect Stateside Q7s will benefit from the new ‘box by the end of the year. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Update: An Audi USA spokesman tells Autoblog that the 2011 Q7 V6 TDI will retain its 225 hp / 406 lb-ft rating and launch with the new eight-speed in September. The gasoline V6 TFSI will also be available here in both 272 and 333 hp flavors beginning in November 2010.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi Q7 gets three new V6s, eight-speed transmission in Germany

2011 Audi Q7 gets three new V6s, eight-speed transmission in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2026 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi’s 2010 Q7 rolls into showrooms with a base MSRP of $46,900 (all prices exclude the $825 destination charge). That entry-level amount will put the standard Q7 3.6 Quattro (with its 280-horsepower V6) in your driveway. If you want to bump up to the flagship, the Q7 4.2 Quattro (350-horsepower V8) will set you back at least $61,000. Lastly, those interested in Audi’s diesel SUV and its 17/25 EPA ratings will find the Q7 TDI Quattro (225-horsepower V6 with a boat-load of torque) starting at $50,900.

All 2010 Q7 models boast standard all-wheel drive and refreshed exteriors with the brand’s signature LED lighting used in the daytime running lights, turn signals (optional), and taillights. Interior upgrades include available ventilated front seats, upgraded interior ambient lighting and several cosmetic improvements within the cabin. Most appreciated will be the third-generation MMI infotainment system with its 3D map powered by an automotive-grade NVIDIA[TM] chip for graphics processing. According to Audi, the system’s voice-based controls will respond to such command as “I’m hungry,” “I need gas” and “I need coffee” and point the driver to the closest options.

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.

# Audi TDI clean diesel technology meets emissions standards in all 50 states
# The Q7 TDI offers 600 miles of driving range and 25% better fuel economy
# TDI technology has been proven by dominant Audi Le Mans racing teams

Audi today released pricing for the 2009 model-year Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel, its first clean diesel vehicle for the U.S. market. The Q7 TDI is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships later this month.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for the Audi Q7 TDI Premium start at $50,900. Prices do not include a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges. Buyers of the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI also qualify for a $1,150 Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, according to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Audi TDI technology marks its 20th anniversary this year with the distinction of offering U.S. consumers the world’s cleanest diesel system. It is a technology certified as meeting emissions regulations in all 50 U.S. states. That includes the California ULEV II (Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle) standards that also apply to conventional gasoline vehicles and represent one of the world’s most rigorous motor vehicle emission requirements.

Audi accomplished this without sacrificing the outstanding performance that TDI has brought to European motoring and in racing competitions worldwide. The most recent TDI-powered championship came last month when the all-new Audi R15 TDI race car won first and third place in the 12 Hours of Sebring competition.

In the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI, efficiency and performance will combine with styling and luxurious appointments to open up the discussion over America’s alternative fuels options.

“The moment has arrived for clean diesel to be seen as an immediate answer to America’s energy challenges,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “With the Q7 TDI, Audi is clearly demonstrating that luxury car buyers do not need to sacrifice progressive styling, comfort or performance to see fuel economy gains.”

The clean diesel technology found in the 2009 Q7 TDI provides 30% better fuel economy than gasoline engines of similar size. That means the Q7 TDI offers the efficiency of 25 mpg in highway driving and a range of more than 600 miles on a full tank. The Q7 TDI also gets an EPA-rated 17 mpg in city driving and combined fuel economy of 20 mpg.

But getting more miles out of each gallon of fuel isn’t the only advantage of the Audi TDI clean diesel technology. The engine in the Audi Q7 TDI also delivers substantially more torque than a comparable gasoline engine – at least 50% more, in fact. That added torque gives the Audi Q7 TDI more power from a start as well as the force to handle tasks like towing or climbing steep slopes.

The Q7 TDI achieves 406 lb-ft of torque, compared to 266 lb-ft of torque for a similar V6 gasoline engine. Its towing capacity is a hefty 6,600 pounds.

The advanced TDI clean diesel engine in the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI is significantly less intrusive on the environment than past diesel engines. The 3.0-liter V6 engine in the Audi Q7 TDI produces about 25% less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, than traditional gasoline engines. The advanced exhaust emission control system found in the Q7 TDI reduces smog-causing nitrogen oxides by up to 90% when compared with past generations of diesel technologies sold in the U.S.

With the filters used in the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI, the exhaust that comes out of the tailpipe can contain less particulate matter – or soot – than the ambient air that went into the engine. And the ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel available at U.S. filling stations contains 97 percent less sulfur than diesel fuel sold in 1993. Over 42% of the nation’s filling stations now carry ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.

What’s more, the diesel engine in the Q7 TDI is expected to last longer than a comparable gasoline engine. That’s leading to better resale value projections, which affect leasing rates and longer-term ownership value.

The 2009 Audi Q7 TDI offers plenty of amenities to go with its technological advances. The exterior of the new Q7 TDI features sporty S line styling upgrades, including S line front and rear bumpers, S line badging, headlight washers and 19-inch five-spoke wheels.

Inside, the 2009 Q7 TDI includes power 12-way heated front seats with leather seating surfaces throughout, seven passenger seating, dual zone climate control, wood decorative inlays, power tailgate, Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI), Audi Music Interface with iPod® cable, premium sound w/ 6-disc CD changer, garage door opener (HomeLink®), Parktronic, preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth®) and SIRIUS® satellite radio.

The stars of FC Barcelona are turning into serious DTM fans: After last year’s debut, the players of the 18-time Spanish champion came to the Circuit de Catalunya again today. There, they took over their new “company cars” and caught a whiff of racing air at the Audi driving experience and during rides in the DTM racing taxi.

Not only on the playing field but also on the road the footballers demonstrate unity: From now on, the squad will be travelling to their training sessions in Audi Q7 vehicles. All cars are equipped with 3.0-litre TDI engines and quattro drive. Only when it came to their choice of colours, the players’ preferences differed: While team captain Carles Puyol ordered his car in lava grey, striker stars Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o opted for elegant silver. Goal-keeper Victor Valdes, together with Eidur Gudjohnsen, leads the group of fans of phantom black.

Audi and FC Barcelona have been partners since the 2006/2007 season. Players, coaches and officials drive vehicles from the brand’s sporty model range. In return, Audi presents itself at the team’s home matches at the famous Camp Nou stadium – Europe’s largest football stadium with room for almost 100 000 spectators – as well as at joint activities and events.

Before the footballers, who started to the new Champions League season with a 3:1 home win, received the keys to their new “company cars” from Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board for Marketing and Sales of AUDI AG, they experienced close-up Audi motorsport action on the Formula 1 and DTM circuit: The defending champion Mattias Ekström and Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen drove the footballers around the race track in the 470-hp Audi A4 DTM racing taxi. Martin Tomczyk as a chauffeur demonstrated the sportiness of an Audi R8 converted into a racing taxi.

“For me, as a big football fan, it’s always a highlight to meet the footballers of FC Barcelona and to talk a bit of shop,” says Tom Kristensen. “They’re all nice guys who, since Michael Laudrup’s era in Barcelona, are very popular in Denmark as well. So it goes without saying that I’ll be crossing my fingers for them for the next match on Sunday and I’m sure that the players will have an eye on us too when we’re out on the circuit.”

At an Audi driving experience the footballers were also given the opportunity to experience the sportiness of the Audi A5 and Audi S5 models. In addition, they received a wealth of tips for a sporty as well as a safe driving style on the streets and roads of Barcelona by seasoned instructors.

On Sunday, 21 September, the ninth of a total of eleven DTM rounds will be staged at the Circuit de Catalunya. Audi driver Timo Scheider comes to Spain as the leader of the standings. The race will start at 2:03 p.m. local time. ARD will broadcast live from Spain starting at 1:45 p.m. and will also air live coverage of the qualifying on Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m.