Audi, a premier brand from German auto major Volkswagen Group (VW), has come out with a high performance diesel prototype sports utility vehicle (SUV) 'SQ7 TDI.' With regulatory investigations going on over Volkswagen (VW), its TDI-powered cars are put on hold in the US.
The new model comes with packing 4.0 liter, twin-turbocharged, diesel V8 engine with an electric compressor. Audi's luxury SUV has 435 horsepower (HP) and 664 lb ft of torque. With this capability, SQ7 TDI SUV can reach the manufacturer's claim of 32mpg. It is considered to be ideal for a sprint to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds and artificially limited top speed of 155mph.
Yahoo Finance reports that Audi SQ7 has impressive features that make it a large high-performance crossover SUV. Most of the capabilities can be attributed to its new twin-turbo diesel V8. The previous high performance diesel prototype racers decimated its competition on the race tracks in last decade. Another model from Audi, the gasoline-powered Q7 crossover is on sale with a price tag of $54,800.
The 4.0 liter engine uses sequential turbo charging technology. This facilitates one turbo for low speed and medium engine speeds. Another turbo is for high-end performance. Audi SQ7 SUV's two exhaust driven turbos, which are further enhanced with an electric compressor unit. This facilitates filling up any gap in the engine's performance.
Moreover, the compressor reduces any delay time the turbos need to spool up, while the system neutralizes dreaded turbo lag. The diesel technology of Audi and Volkswagen has been facing regulatory probe from 2015. Since the investigation is mostly based around Volkswagen's smaller 2.0 and 3.0 liter power plants, the large 4.0 liter engine vehicles are not affected, according to Business Insider.
Meanwhile, industry analysts are disappointed with Audi's decision to stay away from Formula 1 (F1). Stefan Knirsch, a board member and responsible for technical development, said Audi was focusing on electric and hybrid technology. These vehicles are better served in World Endurance Championship.
Auto Sport further adds that Wolfgang Duerheimer, head of motorsport for Audi's parent company Volkswagen Group, has dismissed participation in F1's sport. According to Duerheimer, the political situation is not predictable enough to justify any of his brands entering.
Williams' deputy team principal Claire Williams said that it was disappointing the decision of Audi as it said F1 was not on its agenda. Volkswagen's list of brands includes Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche.
Other overseas brands are SEAT and Skoda. Audi AG designs, engineers, produces, markets and distributes luxury vehicles under its own brand name. Audi executes worldwide operations from its headquarters in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany.
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