Audi's long-awaited Q7 SUV has been launched in Australia.

From market introduction, two high-performance engines are available including Audi's sporty and popular 3.0 TDI engine with 171 kW and the company's powerful new 4.2 V8 FSI engine with 257 kW.

The Q7 is priced at $85,700 for the 3.0 TDI quattro and $116,800 for the 4.2 FSI quattro version.

From November, a second petrol variant will be available in the form of a 3.6-litre V6 FSI engine, developing 206 kW and 360 Nm of torque. The 3.6 FSI will be priced at $84,900.

Audi Australia's managing director, Joerg Hofmann, believes the sales potential for the SUV in Australia is excellent, with almost half of the company's 2006 allocation was pre-sold prior to the vehicle's arrival.

"The Audi Q7 is an ideal car for the Australian market. It is a member of the latest SUV generation thanks to sporty onroad performance and robust offroad performance, in a sleek coupe-like package," Mr Hofmann said.

"We expect the Q7 to be a very popular vehicle, having pre-sold around 300 units ahead of the official September launch. I strongly believe that the Audi Q7 now offers Australian luxury SUV customers an unbeatable package of technological-advancement, luxury appointments and dynamic performance. It will be a strong seller and a clear image leader for Audi in Australia."

Globally, it is expected that around 60,000 Q7 vehicles will be sold in 2006 – a clear demonstration of the company's belief in its newest-generation SUV.

Already a strong performer since its international launch in mid-March 2006, the demand for the new Audi Q7 has seen production increased from 200 to 300 units per day.

Its spacious body is extremely rigid, robust and safe.

State-of-the-art restraint systems protect passengers in the event of an accident and the vehicle is equipped with eight airbags.

At 5,086 mm in length and with a wheelbase of 3,002 mm, the Q7 is larger than its premium competitors. The width of 1,983 mm and the height of 1,737 mm (with steel chassis) are an indication of the spacious interior.

The Q7 is available as a 5-seat vehicle, with 6 and 7-seat variants also available. Up to 28 seating configurations are possible. When not being used, the third row of seats can be folded completely flat to allow more floor space, and the seatbelts fold neatly out of the way to minimise any disruption to the rear of the vehicle. The luggage area is a capacious 2,035 litres.

Like the Audi RS 4 and S8, the Audi Q7 features the latest-generation quattro four-wheel drive system with asymmetric/dynamic torque split. The standard split between front and rear axle is 40:60 and engenders sporty, slightly rear-biased characteristics, excellent agility and steering precision that remains practically free of torque steer.

All Audi Q7 models have 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission with Sport mode as standard.

Depending on the engine version, two technically different versions are employed, both of which have the same dynamic character. Transmission management is taken care of by the dynamic shift program DSP which adapts to suit the individual style of the driver and the prevailing road conditions.

A number of changes were made to the tiptronic transmission for offroad driving. The transmission shafts, mountings and parking mechanism were reinforced, and modifications to the oil sump and intake filter guarantee oil supply even under extreme conditions.

The chassis of the Q7 sees all four wheels suspended independently in an elaborate double wishbone construction with extensive use of aluminium axle components. The steel-spring suspension and twin-tube shock absorbers are designed for sporty driving and superior comfort, even offroad.

The V8 models feature adaptive air suspension as a standard feature. The combination of air suspension and an electronically-controlled damping system ensures both sporty handling and supreme ride comfort. The standard dynamic roll stabilisation system reduces body sway about the longitudinal axis to a minimum.

With the adaptive air suspension ground clearance is variable, starting at 180 mm and extending to 240 mm in lift mode. The off-road mode, with 205 mm ground clearance and suitably adapted damper control, allows travel on challenging terrain.

The boot lip can also be lowered by a further 135mm to load cargo.

With technologies including quattro permanent four-wheel drive, high-torque engines, long spring travel and high ground clearance – the Audi Q7 offers superior off-road capability. Its maximum possible climbing capacity is 31 degrees. The ramp angle measures 21 degrees for vehicles with steel-spring suspension and 24 degrees with air suspension. There is a similar difference in the angle of slope (23/25 degrees). If driving through water, the Audi Q7 ford to a depth of 500mm (air suspension: 535 mm)

The electronic stabilisation program ESP includes numerous new functions including hill descent assist, an additional special offroad mode that optimises brake performance and traction especially on loose ground. The Audi Q7 is also fitted as standard with a tow hitch (optional for V6 models). The towing weight of the Q7 is 3,500kg for 5 seat variants.

The Audi Q7 is equipped as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels. Audi's multi media operating interface MMI is a standard feature, with a 7-inch colour television monitor. All Q7 variants are equipped with the Audi parking system 'advanced' with optical and acoustic guidance and rear-view camera.

A number of innovative driver assistance systems have been introduced on the Q7 for the first time in standard production including Audi side assist with radar technology for lane-changing manoeuvres and the latest-generation Audi cruise control with braking guard, which decelerates the Audi Q7 and brings it to a standstill if required. Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights are standard for 4.2 models and available as an option for V6 variants.

Q7 pricing - Australia

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro $85,700 rrp
Audi Q7 3.6 FSI quattro $84,900 rrp
Audi Q7 4.2 FSI quattro $116,800 rrp

The Audi Q7 – at a glance

Body

• Powerful yet elegant exterior and interior design
• Dimensions: L 5.09 m, W 1.98 m, H 1.74 m, wheelbase 3.00 m
• Luxurious spaciousness for all passengers
• Five, six or seven seats available
• Luggage capacity up to 2,035 litres, double load-area floor

Engines

• 4.2 V8 FSI developing 257 kW, 440 Nm at 3,500 rpm
• 3.6 V6 FSI developing 206 kW, 360 Nm from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm (Nov 06)
• 3.0 V6 TDI developing 171 kW, 500 Nm at 1,750 rpm

Drive/transmission

• 6-speed tiptronic transmission, quattro permanent four-wheel drive with asymmetric/dynamic torque split

Suspension

• Audi dynamic chassis with double wishbone suspension featuring aluminium and 18 to 20-inch aluminium wheels
• Adaptive air suspension with adjustable ride height and dynamic roll stabilisation (optional for V6 models)
• Speed-dependent servotronic steering

Safety

• Latest-generation Electronic Stabilisation Program ESP with 'offroad mode' including hill descent control, traction system and roll stability program
• Anti-lock Braking System ABS with with brake force distribution, brake assist, brake disc wiping function and pre-fill
• 8 airbags including two-stage frontal airbags and sideguard head airbag curtain

Equipment

• Standard: Multi Media interface MMI with 7-inch colour monitor
• Standard: deluxe automatic air conditioning
• Standard: Advanced parking system with audible and visual warning and rear view camera
• Option: xenon plus and adaptive light (standard for 4.2 FSI)
• Option: panorama glass sunroof open sky system
• Option: access and authorisation system advanced key
• Option: warning system for lane-changing manoeuvres Audi side assist
• Option: radar-based distance control system adaptive cruise control
• Option: tyre pressure monitoring system