Audi confirms 500bhp, V12 Q7 oil-burner

Newswheel staff :: 14 August 2007 :: Filed under SUV, Audi, Audi Q7

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Impressive but pointless?

Love it or loathe it, you’re going to have to lump it. Audi has confirmed that a production version of the Q7 V12 TDI is scheduled to hit showrooms in the second half of ’08. Lest you have forgotten, we’re talking 500+ blown diesel ponies and around 737lb/ft of twistage…

This monstrous Derv drinker was of course first shown in “concept” form at the Detroit show in January. Created partly in homage to Audi’s Le Mans-winning R10 V12 diesel racing car, it will become the most powerful passenger diesel car on the planet. Oh, and it sports the first 2,000 bar common rail piezo-injection system - built by Bosch, don’t you know.

Fuel economy is said to be 23.7mpg on the combined cycle. That’s either pretty impressive for a 500hp V12 SUV. Or pretty pointless given that this is a diesel-powered vehicle.

Anywho, the V12 TDI will roar to 62mph in just 5.5 clicks, while its top speed is electronically limited to a mere 155mph. Drive goes to all four wheels via a six-cog slushbox.

Watch this space for precise launch timing and pricing.