ABT Wraps the R8, A4 and Q7 in Mate Black Carbon Fiber Film

Matte colors are becoming extremely popular lately among enthusiasts and this is something that doesn't go by unnoticed from large tuning houses like ABT. The German customization firm not only presented a matte black film for the Q7 SUV but it also took a step further by introducing a new matte black carbon-fiber wrap that's available for the AS4, AS7 and R8 ABT vehicles as well as for the standard factory Audi A4, Q7 and R8 models. In both cases the film covers the bodywork from top to bottom. -Continued

ABT supports that the faux carbon-fiber film is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing as even the texture of the synthetic material has been precisely reproduced.

"When the vehicle is fully wrapped in Carbon Film, it appears more aggressive and dynamic", said Hans-Jürgen Abt, Managing Director of ABT Sportsline. Well maybe for Hans, but seeing R8 dressed in the faux carbon suite in the above picture, we think we'd prefer it in a simple matte black wrap. ABT has yet to announce pricing for its new wraparound matte colored films. (R8 Picture edited by Carscoop)

VW Trims Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 SUV Production as Demand Falls

The deteriorating business environment caused by the financial crisis is forcing car makers on both sides of the pond to proceed to more cuts in production of models that aren't selling as they used to. Volkswagen will reduce its output of the VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 premium SUVs at its Slovakian plant in the city of Bratislava by at least 10 percent for the remaining of the year. -Continued

The German automaker said that about one-third of the Slovakian factory's 8,500 employees will be forced to work shorter shifts until the end of 2008 while the plant will close a week earlier than usual this Christmas.

Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro 500HP: New Gallery with 36 High-Res Photos

Audi announced today that the new top-of-the-line Q7 V12 TDI quattro that was introduced in production form at this year’s Geneva Show in March (see here) will finally make its way to dealers towards the end of 2008. Equipped with a massive 6.0-liter V12 diesel engine (the first of its kind to be offered in a passenger vehicle) generating an output of 500 HP and an awe-inspiring maximum torque of 1,000 Nm or 737.56 lb-ft, the, Q7 V12 TDI quattro accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.5 seconds and has an electronically capped top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). -Continued

In terms of fuel consumption the six-liter TDI, which features a completely redeveloped common rail injection system, requires an average of 11.3 lt/100 km or 20.82 US mpg which is less than the gasoline units produced by the competition. For example, BMW’s X5 4.8i that’s equipped with a V8 gasoline unit producing 355HP and goes from 0 to 100km/h in 6.5 sec has an average fuel consumption of 12 lt/100km or 19.6 US mpg.

Video: Audi Q7 vs Fiat 500 Crash Test from ADAC

Try to imagine what would happen if a large SUV like the Audi Q7 crashed into a small mini car like the Fiat 500. Not sure? Well, Germany’s automobile club ADAC performed a “David vs Goliath” crash test between the two cars, but unlike the biblical story, David aka the Fiat 500, did not even come close to winning this match.

The two cars collided head on at an average speed of 56 km/h (around 35mph). According to ADAC, whereas the driver and passengers of the Audi Q7 would have made it out of the crash with minor and non life-threatening injuries, the risk of serious injuries in the Fiat 500 was surprisingly high for both front and rear passengers. However despite what you may think, ADAC’s prime objective wasn’t to show that a large SUV is safer than a minicar but to point out that automakers should take smaller sized vehicles into consideration when they design a large size model. –Video after the jump

Via: Motorpasion , Source: ADAC

Geneva Preview: Audi Q7 V12 TDI Coastline Concept

Along with the production version of the 500 Hp Q7 V12 TDI (see pics and details here), Audi will also unwrap a concept version of it diesel-powered luxury SUV in Geneva. The Q7 Coastline is inspired from the world of yachts and we’re not talking about size (…) but in concern of its modified interior.

The Q7 concept’s interior is dominated by alabaster white, a color which -you guessed it, is popular on luxury yachts. Also in luminous white are the carpet, embroidered floor mats, pillar trim, roof lining, seat upholstery made of plush velvet and Valcona leather, seatbelts, steering wheel, the front of the cockpit, the door trim even the switches on the dashboard. Additional accents are set by aluminum elements on components such as the air inlet nozzles and door handles. -Continued

But what really gives the Q7 a yacht-like feeling is the wood décor. Parts of the armrest, the gearshift lever knob and the inner door sill trims are made of American walnut veneer. The same combination can also be found on the floor of the luggage compartment, which contains two integrated folding boxes. Further touches include nut brown piping on the seats as well as fine brown piping on the instrument panel and the door.