New Q7

Ingolstadt, Ger. - Audi is proud to present a world first – the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a series passenger car. This 6.0L V-12 makes its debut in the Audi Q7 producing a colossal 500 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. With this engine Audi has opened a new chapter in diesel history.

The V-12 TDI is reminiscent of the engine featured in the new R10 Le Mans racing car – it catapults the driving performance of the Audi Q7 into the echelons of top-class sports cars. The car sprints from zero-to-100 km/h in just 5.5 sec. and has an electronically-governed top speed of 250 km/h. Maximum torque is available from just 1,750 rpm. The high-tech diesel engine, with the world's first 2,000 bar Bosch Common Rail system, provides the high-performance Audi SUV with superior power reserves in any situation. The impressive sound of the new Audi is provided by the ultra-modern piezo-injection system. The V-12 TDI transmits this power through a new six-speed tiptronic gearbox to the quattro permanent four-wheel drive system.

Although the V-12 TDI belongs to the Audi V-engine family, this model features a special cylinder angle of 60° – perfect for this engine type. Apart from the light and highly durable crankcase, a further highlight is the new chain drive assembly. This includes the two newly-developed high-pressure pumps in the common rail injection system.

Up to 2,000 bar of pressure is kept within the 12 piezo injectors – a further technological breakthrough. Both performance and efficiency are optimized by this high injection pressure and the running smoothness also remains excellent. Exhaust emissions are also low. The twin-turbo V-12 TDI conforms to the Euro 5 emissions class, which should come into force in 2010. Fuel consumption is only 11.9L/100 km. With the high-tech 12-cylinder engine using TDI technology, the diesel pioneers at Audi have opened new horizons in motoring.

Vorsprung durch Technik: Diesel milestones from Audi
A further milestone in diesel technology has been reached with the advent of the new V-12 TDI. The Ingolstadt brand has been the pioneer in the diesel domain for over three decades. In 1978, Audi introduced the Audi 100, the world’s first five-cylinder diesel. The first TDI engine in motoring history was introduced in the successor model in 1989. The 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine offered 88 kW (120 bhp) and 261 Nm of torque, and catapulted diesel motoring into whole new dimensions.

In 1994, an expanded version was produced with 103 kW (140 bhp). The engine was also available with the option of four-wheel drive – the first TDI quattro. At the same time, a new four-cylinder diesel engine was introduced in the Audi 100 and Audi 80, the now legendary 1.9 TDI with 66 kW (90 bhp).

Toward the end of 1995, the four-cylinder achieved new heights of 85 kW (115 bhp) through the use of pump-jet injection. Just over a year later at the beginning of 1997, the world’s first 2.5 V6 TDI made its debut. This engine came with four valves per cylinder and reached 110 kW (150 bhp). With a top speed of 220 km/h, the Audi A8 became the quickest series-production diesel on the market. The first eight-cylinder TDI followed in 1999, a V-8 with a displacement of 3.3L. The 3.0 TDI was introduced in the spring of 2004, the first V-6 diesel engine with inline piezo injectors in the common rail system. The 4.2L TDI currently spearheads the TDI range from Audi. It was first introduced last year in the A8. Every third A8 buyer in Germany opted for the V-8.

This month Audi set diesel history in Canada by winning the Grand Prix of Mosport with its R10 TDI Power race cars. By doing so, the two Audi factory drivers clinched the American Le Mans Series LMP1 championship.

The equipment and data stated here refers to the model range offered for sale in Germany. Douglas Clark, Director of Communications for Audi Canada, however, says "While it is too far out to speculate whether this vehicle will be available in Canada, as a leader in diesel one should expect that a 12-cylinder TDI will be offered in the Audi Q7 in the foreseeable future."

Let's hope so because this has to be one of the best-looking SUVs ever made! Just look at those huge LED-lined air inlets and oversize grille that feed the massive twin turbo V-12. Look out Cayenne, this S-ute is one hot tamale!!!