2009 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI First Impressions
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2009 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI First Impressions by Charles Renny / Auto123.com |
For 2009, the new Q7 Diesel will be available in two trim levels designated as the TDI Clean Diesel and the TDI Clean Diesel Premium. In more basic terms, think of the regular one as "The Feast" and the Premium one as "The Feast with Wine"! My reason for selecting this analogy is that the regular version has just about everything you could ever want in a luxury SUV. Adding extras that some will appreciate but are not needed to enjoy the vehicle is like adding a bottle of fine wine to an already outstanding meal. Not everyone wants or appreciates the wine, but the meal is a culinary experience by itself.
Billed as the "Clean Diesel", the new 3.0-litre TDI V6 in the Q7 is one of the first diesels to meet the tier 2, bin 5 emissions standards. These exacting standards are the same ones that a gasoline engine must meet. How Audi has done this is just as interesting as the upgrades made to the whole Q7. If you are not a diesel fan, don't worry. The Q7 is available in the same trim levels with two different, direct-injected gas engines. The base engine is a 3.6-litre V6, while the optional engine is a 4.2-litre V8. Trim and Options I managed to get some seat time in both versions of the diesel, and much to the disgust of my hosts at the Canadian media introduction, I really couldn't tell much difference between the two. The most obvious difference is that seating for five is standard, while the third row of seating is optional. Bluetooth is standard on the Premium level and a navigation package which is not available on the regular model is optional. In fact, the Technology and Audio packages are exclusive to the premium trim level. Navigation has a driver info centre included while the Technology package has things like Side Assist, Homelink and adaptive headlamps in it. Audio includes an upgrade to a better Bose sound system, satellite radio and a music interface setup where you can put your iPod or any other personal music player into the system (as long as you get your own adapter cable). There is also a USB port so that if you choose to, you can just plug in a memory stick and have your tunes come out through the Bose system and put you in the middle of the concert hall.
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