What is it? First shown at the 2006 Frankfurt auto show, the Audi Q7 V12 TDI Concept uses a 6.0-liter V12 that produces 500 hp and 737 lb.-ft. of torque. Audi claims this Q7 can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds and can achieve 20 mpg overall. Joining the Q7 V12 is a variation powered by a 3.0-liter V6 TDI Bluetec engine. The 3.0 TDI will produce about 215 hp and 370 lb.- ft. of torque, though final figures have not been announced. Preliminary numbers from Audi indicate mileage should be 20 to 25 percent better than the 3.3-liter V6 Q7, which works out to about 25 mpg on the highway and overall mileage of about 20 mpg.
What is new or notable: Audi predicts diesels could account for 10 to 15 percent of sales in the United States by 2015, depending on market acceptance. Audi and Volkswagen are partnering with Mercedes-Benz to develop and implement the Bluetec system with AdBlue. AdBlue is a urea solution that is injected into the exhaust gases to meet the EPA Tier II Bin 5 emission standards for nitrogen oxide.
