Big Mother
by David Morgan (14 Apr 06)

New car sales are tumbling like autumn leaves, but the trend is being bucked at Audi where their premium SUV Q7 is being groomed as a sales star in a market where the competition is formidable. In the past ten years Audi has tripled its new car sales in Britain. Last year it sold 81,374 vehicles, and 2006 is looking just as good with the Ingolstadt manufacturer heading for its best-ever UK market share of around 4%.

But it should come as no great surprise that Q7 will not be a big volume contributor. When the 4.2-litre petrol V8 and three-litre turbodiesel V6 go on sale in July they'll sell well in their premium SUV sector, but only 3500 are expected to find owners this year with predictions of 5500 in a full year by 2008.

These are not big numbers, but for this magnificent monster they mark a significant precursor for success. Months before it went on sale demand was already high - more than 1300 people had left a deposit with UK dealers for a car they had not even seen, let alone driven.

Misplaced confidence? With a few reservations about the sheer size of this seven-seat luxury vehicle and over-light Servotronic steering I would say that confidence is bang on the button. Like everything else Audi is turning out, the Q7 is a meticulously constructed vehicle with impressive dynamics and acres of interior space.

It's not pretty. From the gaping maw of its grotesque shield grille to its girth, tall bodyline and massive tailgate, this newcomer is the mother of all SUVs. European in quality, it is undeniably American in concept, and it will do well in a US market that can tolerate its 20mpg average from a 346bhp 4.2 FSI V8.

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