Insiders at Volkswagen...
Insiders at Volkswagen have confirmed the car will be designed to offer the sporty appeal of the petrol-engined GTI, but in a more economical package. Under the bonnet will be a 168bhp version of the Golf"s existing 2.0-litre TDI powerplant, and the car will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.
Some of the finer details...
Some of the finer details have been covered up, but the mag"s pictures show the newcomer almost completely undisguised. And don"t be fooled by the VW alloy wheels and the wacky badging - they are simply part of the attempt to hide the car"s true identity.
Based on the VW Touareg platform, Audi"s first proper SUV will go on sale in December next year, and rival the new Range Rover Sport. It will come with a choice of either a 343bhp 4.2-litre V8 petrol or a 232bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine at launch.
These will be followed in 2006 by a 250bhp 3.4-litre V6 petrol unit, while other planned powerplants include VW"s 5.0-litre V10 oil-burner as seen in the Touareg and Phaeton. Insiders have also hinted that a performance version could be on the cards, possibly badged S7, which will come with a detuned version of the 5.0-litre V10 engine fitted to the Lamborghini Gallardo.
Inside, the car will have six seats arranged in three rows of two. The rear set will collapse into the floor to give a flat, uncluttered load bay.
The 7 will kick-start a succession of Q-badged Audi off-roaders. A smaller Q5 - based on the A4 platform - is expected in 2007, and this will go into direct competition with the Land Rover Freelander and BMW X3.
Prices of the Q7 will rival those of the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport, so expect an entry-level model to set you back around í‚á£37,000.