New 3.0L Diesel for Audi Q7 SUV Offers 32.7 mpg
21 October 2010
Audi has added a new 3.0L diesel to its Q7 large SUV lineup. The Q7 3.0 TDI offers 150 kW (204 hp) while consuming an average of 7.2 liters of diesel per 100 km (32.7 mpg US), equivalent to 189 grams CO2 per km (304 g/mile). An eight-speed tiptronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive round out the drivetrain.
The new 3.0L V6 weighs less than 200 kilograms (441 lbs) and extensive measures minimize internal friction. The crankcase and the cylinder heads have separate cooling water circuits; coolant is not circulated within the block while the engine is warming up.
A common-rail system with piezo injectors provides injection pressure up to 2,000 bar; the turbocharger and the camshafts’ control times have been optimized for maximum efficiency. A start-stop system deactivates the engine as soon as the vehicle comes to a stop, and an energy recovery system—standard for the entire model line—stores energy during deceleration.
Maximum torque becomes available just above the idling point: 450 N·m (332 lb-ft) remain constant between 1,250 and 2,750 rpm.
This large SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. In the version with an optional air suspension, it reaches a top speed of 205 km/h (127 mph); with steel suspension, 202 km/h (126 mph).
With minor tweaking, this very large vehicle could meet 2016 CAFE for mid size cars.
Similar technologies applied to well designed mid size cars could probably get 50 mpg.
Posted by: HarveyD | 21 October 2010 at 07:57 AM
With minor tweaking, I would make a 1.5 liter 3-cylinder engine from the original V6 and combine it with a mild hybrid drive system. Then, I would put this in a car similar to the Audi A2 car (all aluminum body. I suppose this car could meet something like CAFE 2030 or so. It would be much more fun to drive than the original Audi A2 3L car and use less fuel. This option also makes more sense to me than a big SUV.
Posted by: Peter_XX | 21 October 2010 at 09:22 AM
With no tweaking at all, I could buy an A3 2.0TDI. Seriously, I would like to see that engine available with Quattro (and stick-shift!) available in the A3 and A4, maybe even the A6. Audi's stupid decision to offer the A3 TDI in the US as automatic only, front-drive only ensures that the diesel A3 appeals to as few people as possible. I would also love to see the 3.0TDI available in the A6 and A8. Why confine it to the SUV?
Posted by: Peter9909 | 21 October 2010 at 09:50 AM
Audi A3 cannot even be compared to an Audi A2. A3 is basically a VW Golf, while the A2 was an advanced car. The problem is that nobody bought the A2, or the VW Lupo 3L for that matter. However, used A2 3L and VW Lupo 3L are now been sold at prices even as high as when they were new. There are several ways of avoiding an optimum and Audi has shown us one. I presume that discontinuing the A2 and Lupo 3L was kind of a “political” decision within the VW group.
In Europe, we can of course buy A6 and A8 with the V6 TDI in different versions. The latest V6 engine version (gen 2) now gradually replaces the previous one. It is most difficult to meet the US emission limits in a SUV, rather with smaller cars, so maybe Audi is trying to make a strange point here by not marketing this engine in other cars in the USA.
Posted by: Peter_XX | 21 October 2010 at 10:54 AM
Were the Audi-A2/VW Lupo addressing the wrong markets or was the marketing lacking?
Posted by: HarveyD | 24 October 2010 at 06:49 AM