Audi Q7's monster V12 TDI engine

Audi Q7's monster V12 TDI engine

Audi Q7's monster V12 TDI engine

Monster power, monster torque, monster price tag is it worth it?

With the Porsche Cayenne SUV boasting nigh-on 600bhp from its twin-turbo V8, Audi hits back with its V12 turbo diesel-engined Q7. At 96,290, it will have to be truly amazing to be worthy of costing super-car money. The V12 engine is a derivative of the astonishing R10 Le Mans winner, both in the American Le Mans Series and the European one.

The fact that Audi has steered clear of the petrol-engine for its top-of-the-range SUV is to remain clear of any conflict with the Porsche. In a cunning way to bring the US market to the oil-burner bandwagon, and with the European market firmly choosing more diesel engine cars than petrol nowadays, it was a shroud move for the German manufacturer, particularly as it was launched at the beginning of the recession.

The Q7 V12 is a rare sight on British roads, which makes it a vehicle of choice for footballers and other well-heeled buyers. This level of exclusivity coupled with the environmentally-friendly diesel power is what makes this Q7 so appealing. Few can afford to spend 100,000 (with a few extras) on a SUV, but those who have 500bhp and a monumental 737lb-ft of torque under their right foot will agree that addictive swell of power is worth the money.

Obviously, it's a detuned version of the R10 race-car but that just goes to prove how far diesel technology has come since the 1980s clunky motors. Yes, it might weigh 2.7 tonnes but with almost 1,000Nm of wheel-buckling power, it reaches 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and smashes into the fun-barrier of the 155mph limiter in no time at all. Anyone who is lucky enough to drive a V12 Q7 will quickly understand why the super-car price tag is as so.

Even with the ridiculous power and the astonishing weight, Audi trumps its German counterpart (Porsche) by returning a simply unbelievable 25mpg! That diesel technology that goes into winning Le Mans year after year shines through. Whereas the Cayenne barely manages to break into 10mpg-plus, the Q7 can quite happily sip its fuel at almost a large saloon car rate. Even the Audi RS4 can't match that figure despite having similar acceleration rates.

Yes, the list price is disgustingly high, but with Audi looking to turn Americans away from gutsy V8s and towards the fuel-efficient power of diesel, it's certainly a way to capture the attention of the Cayenne-loving crowd.

For the ultimate in luxury and mile-munching ability, any Q7 is good. When the road opens out and you hear the grumbling V12 light up, the turbos spool and the rear squat down, you know the V12 TDI is truly a special vehicle. If the price tag is within your reach and the thought of not having to fill-up every 30 metres is appealing, then compared to other super-SUVs on the market, the Audi Q7 is hard to beat.

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