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"The Q7 is Audi's new large SUV that can accommodate up to seven passengers which Audi describes as a performance SUV from the creator of quattro. The signature Audi single-frame grille ties the Q7 to the rest of the Audi line, but is even more bold and prominent, standing nearly vertical and dominating the front view of the vehicle. In profile the Q7 looks similar to the A3, with the window graphic, the taper of the roofline to the rear, and the shape of the rear liftgate making the Q7 appear much smaller than it is. The high side panels give the Q7 an aggressive stance, but the roofline, finished with an integrated spoiler, adds a sporty flair. Built on the same basic platform as the 5-passenger Volkswagen Touareg SUV, the Q7 is 13 inches longer to accommodate a third-row seat, while the wheelbase gets stretched nearly 6 inches and the width increases by more than 2 inches. Six percent of the body panels are aluminum, including the fenders, hood and tailgate, resulting in a weight savings of nearly 50 pounds compared to conventional steel components. The 2007 Audi Q7 will initially be offered as the Q7 4.2, powered by a 350-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 engine closely related to the engine that powers the Audi RS 4 high-performance sport sedan. Like the RS 4, the Q7 uses FSI direct gasoline injection for more efficient combustion, greater power, quicker response and improved fuel economy, but the Q7 is tuned to deliver more torque. Maximum torque is 325 lb-ft at 3500 rpm, with 85 percent of the maximum torque available at 2000 rpm. The power is delivered through a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, and all versions of the 2007 Q7s will be equipped with Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. In the Q7, quattro utilizes a self-locking center differential that is mechanical for instant reaction and only locks under power. The normal torque split sends 42 percent of the power to the front wheels and 58 percent to the rear wheels. Hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering is tuned for a direct, sporty response. The Q7 3.6 will follow in the second half of 2006, powered by a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine. The Q7, based on the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, finally carries Audi's flag into the luxury SUV segment. Power comes from a 350-hp, 4.2-liter V8 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Q7 lacks the off-road, low-range gearing of its 5-passenger cousins, but offers three-row seating to accommodate up to seven passengers." To read more about the 2007 Audi Q Models, visit MSN Autos.
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