Audi's new high-profile luxury SUV has been in Wicklow for the past four days but not doing the dirty work that SUVs supposedly - but rarely - do. It's the Q7 and it was static and immobile in the function room of our hotel, viewed by 150 prospective customers as well as Audi dealers and their service personnel.
The Q7, Audi's first foray into the burgeoning SUV segment is high profile literally with an overall length of 5,086 mm, 1,982 mm width, 1,737 mm height and a wheelbase of 3,002 mm. It all translates into a lot of space whether with five or seven-seater configurations.
Q7 will be launched internationally next spring, and will be here in June. At its Irish launch it will come with a 3-litre TDi engine and of course, the Quattro designation. A 4.2-litre petrol option should also be available soon after its arrival. Because of its size and bulk nothing under 3-litres is planned: instead a Q5 with smaller dimensions is likely.
John Hayes, Audi's sales manager, is expecting the Q7 to capture a big chunk of the luxury SUV market which annually is between 1,600 and 1,700 vehicles. He claimed that pricing would be "below significant competition" in the segment which suggests below €72,000 the current tag for the BMW X5, the market leader. Actual pricing will be announced in about three weeks time.
Because Q7 isn't replacing anything, Audi advantageously have been beating the drum about it in Europe and America which is obviously a key market. Complementing this approach is a Q7 global website. According to John Hayes, "thousands" of Irish hits were registered.
Apart from size, the Q7 has some interesting design features like a coupé-style roofline and rear light clusters that are embedded in the tailgate. Even the towbar isn't allowed to upset the overall profile: it can be adjusted sideways out of sight.