Test drive Audi Q7 2006 - 2009 SUV

Diesel avant -garde

Tarakhtelka ... Kerosinka tractor is more smoke than the move that flattering epithets were not invented by opponents of the engines working on diesel fuel. If they had at least once swept to the Audi Q7 with a new 4.2 liter bi-turbodiesel, their entire archaic skepticism would disappear by itself.
 
Frankly, I myself did not like diesel before. For the time being. So far, progress in the construction of diesel power plants suddenly did not suddenly go by truly seven -mini steps while gasoline motors seemed to have almost exhausted themselves. And the most striking example was the victories of racing prototypes with four rings on the nose and TDI inscriptions on the sides in the legendary marathon of 24 hours of Le Mans and the ALMS racing series. Personal first acquaintance with 2 and 3 liter turbodiesels instilled remarkable optimism in my hitherto gasoline soul. And here v8. As many as 4.2 liters of volume! To date, this unit is the most powerful among diesel engines for serial cars. His asset has 326 hp maximum power and truly a crushing avalanche of torque is 760 nm!
 
To achieve such indicators, only an impressive volume is not enough. The Audi engine is very high -tech. Turbines with variable geometry (one for each row of cylinders) are capable of Body up to 2.5 bar of excess pressure. The engine control unit constantly provides their same speed (up to 226,000 rpm) and, accordingly, performance. For each, a separate intercooler is provided. The cylinder block is cast from an alloy of cast iron and graphite, which made it possible to achieve its high strength with a small weight of 62 kg. And the total mass of the engine was only 255 kg, it is easier than its 4 liter predecessor for 15 kg! Significantly reduced vibrations was allowed by a special form of chrome-molibden crankshaft, and thanks to new valves with hydraulic compensators and a chain bluket drive of camshafts, it was possible to increase the smoothness of work and reduce noise. The inner surface of the cylinders is treated with an ultraviolet laser, which significantly reduces oil consumption. The working mixture is prepared by the latest generation Common Rail system with piezoinjectors.
 
What do all these techno-scrapes mean in practice? And the fact that the 4.2 TDI engine is the most perfect of all modern turbodiesels. With its outstanding powerful indicators, it is amazingly economical for the average consumption for the test was about 16 liters per 100 km. Notice, by no means high -octane gasoline. And he is quiet. Outside, the sound of his work is barely audible. Moreover, in terms of timbre it is very similar to the sound of a gasoline engine, the same FSI, for example, no target.
 
Inside, behind the thick layers of sound insulation, luxurious skin and a wooden interior tree, it is not heard at all. There are no vibrations on the governing bodies. Only with intensive acceleration into the salon, a muffled roar of the eight penetrates. And this acceleration is rapid. Is it a joke 6.4 seconds to hundreds! Faster than a gasoline version with a similar motor volume for almost a second. Tiptronic practices its excellently, changes the programs on time and almost imperceptibly. In addition, if you go calmly, then he does it extremely rarely a sea of \u200b\u200btorque even at idle. Awesome elasticity! But still, how do you want to once again drown the gas pedal on the floor and enjoy this soft, but energetic throw forward! The sensation arises as if someone had taken and instantly rearranged a huge 3-ton SUV for several hundred meters! After reaching 100 km/h, this onslaught does not subside in any way.
The monstrous strength continues to intensively disperse Q7. Only after 160170 km/f, the pressure is a little weakens, but still two hundred car is gaining in one breath. What is important, at such speeds, Audi feels absolutely at ease. The air suspension becomes tougher and presses the body to the ground, the car easily rebuilts from the row in a row, leaving many competitors behind, it would seem more adapted for such exercises. The cabin has calm and silence. High class! A real eater of space!
 
Acquaintance with the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI seriously made me think about the further prospects for the development of gasoline engine. If there is no technological revolution in this area, then soon the turbodiesel will be far ahead in all respects, elasticity, economy, and environmental friendliness. Accustomed to save and protect the environment of Europeans, one can understand diesel fuel in Europe noticeably cheaper than gasoline and its combustion products are more harmless. Our diesel fuel is not much less than ninety -fifth, besides, it is not always worthy of quality. But everything changes. Fortunately, for the better (except for the price, true). Of course, our potential owner of Q7 will make a choice in favor of a diesel engine not at all for considerations. Once again we go to our own, unlike anyone. It seems that it is just fashionable to ride on a diesel engine. But, be that as it may, it is worth it. More than.
 
Dmitry Krotov
 

 

Source: Motor magazine [January-February 2008]