|
| The New Audi Q7 4.2 TDI |
|
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The new Audi Q7 4.2TDI delivers its power through the six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission to a sporty tuned Quattro driveline that divides the propulsive force in the ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear wheels under normal driving conditions. The adaptive air suspension of the Audi is standard on top diesel model. It also resolves the classic conflict of interests by combining dynamic handling with riding comfort similar to the feel of a luxury class vehicle. The Audi Q7 4.2 TDI, the concentrated power of the great eight-cylinder diesel unit provides it with the versatility of true sport car. Starting from the time that the Q7 was introduced it has already set new standards in the SUV segment. In addition the comfort and convenience equipped in the Q7 4.2 TDI makes it a leader in its class. The leather design package provides the interior with a feel of luxury. The electrically operated tailgate allows for easy loading. The Audi Q7 also possess a new technical features which is the optional Audi lane assist system which warns the driver through slight vibrations in the steering wheel specially when it detects that the driver is crossing the wrong lane. The engine with its tremendous power… Just like any type of engines in the Audi Q7 range, the eight-cylinder diesel power pack belongs to the V-engine family. The 4.2 liter TDI delivers an impressive 760 Nm of torque to the crankshaft, a figure that remains constant between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm. The driver will also be able to enjoy great power reserves at any engine speed. At 3,750 rpm the V8 can produce an output of 240 kW or 326 bhp. The Driveline… The power for the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is transported through the six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission. The DSP or the Dynamic Shift Program takes control of the gear shifts and adapts itself to the driver’s style of driving as well as to the condition of the road. There is a special sports program that supports a specific dynamic driving style but still enables the driver to intervene in the procedure in two ways: via the shift gate for the selector lever or via the optional paddles on the steering wheel. The tiptronic was made for high torque and therefore does not need to be supported to interact with the V8 diesel engine. Suspension with Sporty Performance… The suspension of the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI completes the dynamic personality of the vehicle. It is equally capable on various road conditions driving safety and comfort plus handling characteristics set the standards. The Audi Q7 4.2 TDI has an adaptive air suspension which allows the driver to choose from any of three settings ranging from dynamic, comfort and automatic, to sporty and firm up to extremely comfortable. The basic suspension layout of the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI stands out because of its high level of style. The four wheels are independently mounted on double wishbones with most of the axle components made of aluminum. The Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is equipped with sporty 18-inch alloy wheels with size 255/55 tires. The four brake discs are internally ventilated and have a size of 350 mm in diameter at the front and 358 mm at the rear. Six pistons in the front brake calipers apply brake pressure to each of the discs---a concept derived from the world of sports car. Luxurious equipment… The Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is equipped with a range of standard features that reflects sophistication. The leather design package with its choice of inlays in aluminum or three types of wood and seat upholstery in Cricket leather together with electrically heated front seats, on-board computer, a cruise control system, a multifunction steering wheel and the much-praised operating system MMI which boost comfort and convenience for the driver. The Q7 4.2 TDI is also equipped with an advanced parking system with a camera that monitors the rear of the car. The optional Audi adaptive cruise control is radar-based system that incorporates active distance control. The Audi side assist monitors the blind spot through the use of radar technology and warns the driver of a vehicle approaching from behind. VW profit, sales energizes future plans The AIADA newsletter reported that Volkswagen's positive first-quarter results were exactly what Porsche Chief Executive Wendelin Wiedeking had in mind when he took a controlling stake in the German automaker last year. Meanwhile, VW of America, Inc. recently announced April 2007 sales of 19,086 units. This represents a decrease of 7 percent from last year’s sales of 20,528 vehicles. Business Week, on the other hand, reported that Volkswagen’s operating profit for the months of January to March of 2007 rose 81%, making their profits amount to $1.48 billion. That generated a 4.1% margin. Winterkorn, an executive of VW, has this biggest job of building a real export powerhouse. For all its huge $143 billion in revenues, Volkswagen's success remains largely centered on Europe. Still on a positive side, in the spring season, Volkswagen’s new hard-top convertible Eos posted its best month ever with April sales of 1,142 units. The Eos is the world’s first four-seat, hard-top convertible with an integrated glass sunroof. To take on Toyota, Volkswagen has to build serious market sales in the U.S., where last year it sold only 397,000 cars. To bolster Volkswagen’s weak U.S. market operations, Winterkorn is betting on new models. These include a van with lower costs, improved quality, and revamped sales and marketing strategies, to be launched in 2008. VW Finance Chief Hans-Dieter Pötsch said their company certainly needs to enrich their product portfolio in the US. He also said they need models which are more specifically designed and manufactured to North America, with a more competitive cost base. He was also glad to say that it is exactly what they are doing. Volkswagen, a manufacturer of performance quality VW tail lights, is an automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Germany, and is Europe’s largest automaker. It forms the core of Volkswagen Group and is the world's fourth largest car producer after Toyota, General Motor and Ford, respectively. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg. The name means "people's car" in German. Its tagline is translated in English as "For the love of the car" or, "For Love of the People's Cars", as translated by VW in other languages, though in direct translation it reads "Out of love for the car." On the other hand, Volkswagen of America, Inc. was founded in 1955. Its headquarters is in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen in Germany. It has approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Porsche's acquires 31% of Volkswagen Porsche said this week in the AIADA newsletter that Germany's financial regulators have approved automaker Porsche's required takeover offer for Volkswagen, which it was obligated to make after acquiring more than 30% in the company. Porsche has said it does not plan to acquire Volkswagen outright. USA Today reports that Porsche has improved its offer for preferred shares from 65.45 euros each to 65.54 euros. It is still offering 100.92 euros per ordinary share, which is more than 11% below the current market price. Porsche triggered the mandatory takeover offer by raising its stake in Volkswagen, a car manufacturer that produces quality VW disc, a percent higher than 30. This was a move aimed at shielding the automaker from the possibility of a foreign takeover. The offer gives the company the chance to buy Volkswagen shares without making another takeover bid. A German rule, the so-called "Volkswagen Law", that limits Volkswagen shareholder voting rights to a maximum of 20%, no matter how many shares are held, is expected to be ruled unlawful by the European Union. That ruling would have left VW exposed to takeover attempts. But with Porsche now holding 31% of the company and the German state of Lower Saxony a near-20 percent stake, the carmaker is now shielded. However, analysts are starting to question the true motive of Porsche acquiring a 31% majority share of VW. Guido Reinking, an automobile publication editor speculates that VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech may want to make VW a wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche in an effort to protect and maintain the family business because Piech's family controls 100% of Porsche. Despite the speculation, Reinking urges that Germany's Lower Saxony who owns 20% of VW should relinquish its interest in light of the Minister President of Lower Saxony Christian Wulff (CDU) considering increasing its stake to 25% which will cost $1 billion. The editor wrote that Lower Saxony's involvement with the auto maker has been as damaging as Volkswagen’s struggle with IG Metal, a German metal workers union. The red tape of VW management, unions and politicians has suffocated VW by preventing much needed restructuring. Originally, Lower Saxony's move into the auto business was intended to protect VW from foreign takeover with their blocking stake. But, Reinking wrote the latest majority position of Porsche makes that directive null and void as soon as the European Court of Justice will overturn the so-called “VW law” that limits the voting power of VW shareholders to 20 percent regardless of the size of the stake they hold. Repeatedly, the CDU calls for less government and support for the German market which clearly is contradictory to Wulff's possible stake increase. Reinking also speculates that Lower Saxony considering a stake increase in VW is politically motivated since Wulff gets more and more air time as a major VW shareholder. Reports say he would therefore use that exposure to boost his career as a politician. Reinking in his writings said German states should do many things to make the lives of their citizens more pleasant; that is to build roads and schools, reduce the tax burden, boost the economy, fight crime and protect the environment. And auto manufacturing is not one of them. |
|
||||