2017 Audi Q7 announced (post #47)
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 241
From: California
Some of the latest Audis now have near perfect reliability scores. I think it's time to start erasing the old notion they are instant money pits.
As far as raising the Q7 to compete with bigger and higher end competitors, along with raising up the rest of their line-up, it is a mistake. It totally hurt Cadillac, who is still charging too much for models that are "almost" the size of their competitors, but not quite. People don't like cars/SUV's that are inbetween. They want to clearly see and understand which class they are in and not be confused. If Audi wants to legitimately compete with other third-row seat SUV's, it needs to just come out with a bigger SUV (Q9). Wrecking the whole model line-up to make one model fit is backward business.
As far as raising the Q7 to compete with bigger and higher end competitors, along with raising up the rest of their line-up, it is a mistake. It totally hurt Cadillac, who is still charging too much for models that are "almost" the size of their competitors, but not quite. People don't like cars/SUV's that are inbetween. They want to clearly see and understand which class they are in and not be confused. If Audi wants to legitimately compete with other third-row seat SUV's, it needs to just come out with a bigger SUV (Q9). Wrecking the whole model line-up to make one model fit is backward business.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: TX
New Audi Q7 Does Everything Better Than Its Predecessor
The all-new Audi Q7 looks more like a raised estate than an SUV and that impression is backed by the fact that it is a lot lighter than its bulky predecessor.
Impressively, the new Q7 is up to 325 kilograms (716.5 lbs) lighter than the previous generation model. And even though its footprint is slightly smaller, it actually offers more space in the cabin.
As you’d expect from an Audi SUV, the cabin is beautifully finished and practical, so we’ll focus on the driving part, as the Q7 promises to be an interesting proposition in this area.
Carbuyer’s Mat Watson recommends the more powerful version of the 3.0-liter TDI V6 engine, which produces 268hp and 442lb-ft (599Nm) of torque. It’s a super smooth and quiet engine, but if you need to floor the throttle you’ll find out that it covers the 0 to 62 mph sprint in about the same time as the VW Golf GTI – 6.5 seconds to be precise.
Another thing to have is the optional air suspension – it will set you back about £2,000, but you’ll get a ride similar to a luxury limousine. Scroll down to find out what else Watson had to say about the new Q7.
Impressively, the new Q7 is up to 325 kilograms (716.5 lbs) lighter than the previous generation model. And even though its footprint is slightly smaller, it actually offers more space in the cabin.
As you’d expect from an Audi SUV, the cabin is beautifully finished and practical, so we’ll focus on the driving part, as the Q7 promises to be an interesting proposition in this area.
Carbuyer’s Mat Watson recommends the more powerful version of the 3.0-liter TDI V6 engine, which produces 268hp and 442lb-ft (599Nm) of torque. It’s a super smooth and quiet engine, but if you need to floor the throttle you’ll find out that it covers the 0 to 62 mph sprint in about the same time as the VW Golf GTI – 6.5 seconds to be precise.
Another thing to have is the optional air suspension – it will set you back about £2,000, but you’ll get a ride similar to a luxury limousine. Scroll down to find out what else Watson had to say about the new Q7.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: TX
2017 Audi Q7 Review
Weight has become an evil word in the auto industry recently, and shedding pounds has been the priority for automakers. Audi is no different.
FAST FACTS
Engine: 3.0-liter supercharged V6
Power: 333 hp, 325 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel Economy: 19 MPG city, 25 MPG hwy (not EPA), 21.2 MPG observed
US Pricing: Premium $54,800, Premium Plus $58,800, Prestige $64,300
CAN Pricing: Starts at $62,500, Top trim $73,500
We’re not even talking about sports cars here. Even in big, three-row flagship SUVs like the 2017 Audi Q7 in question, cutting excess weight is happening across the German automaker’s lineup as if Jenny Craig was having a Black Friday sale.
Less Weight, Better SUV
The biggest news with this new Q7 is that it weighs 474 pounds less than the outgoing model, which is like taking a baby grand piano out of the trunk. You can imagine how much that would help driving dynamics and fuel economy. This Q7 uses more aluminum to cut down on weight, which allows the Q7 to be more nimble and to have 17 percent better fuel economy. Official EPA ratings have not yet been released, but Audi says the Q7 should return 19 mpg city, 25 highway and 21 combined. I averaged 21.2 mpg on a mixed and enthusiastic drive route.
Audi has been criticized for having its new cars look exactly like its old ones, but when you compare the old Q7 side by side to the new one, you can see how much tubbier it used to be. The previous-generation model looks portly and slow standing next to its leaner and sharper replacement. There is almost no excess in this car’s exterior, and although it’s not a huge design departure, you can really see the increased focus on streamlining.
German designers will bore you to death with talk of surface tension, precision engineering, dynamism and throw a bunch of math equations at you to try to explain their reasoning, but all you need to know is that this design works. The design is clean, gives the car a stronger stance, and makes it look more like a wagon.
The outside dimensions haven’t changed much, but the Q7 has a lower center of gravity and more interior space.
How Does it Drive?
The new Q7 looks faster, and it has the powertrain to back it up. Powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6, it puts out 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Under normal driving conditions, the power is split 40/60 front to back, but up to 85 percent of the power can be sent to the rear wheels when necessary.
Audi claims the Q7 can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, which is 1.2 seconds faster than the previous model — the Q7 has more speed and power than you will ever need. Acceleration is strong and the engine pulls hard across the rev range, but it doesn’t feel as immediately fast as the Volvo XC90, which has a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and just feels lighter in a straight line. It has less horsepower and torque, but it also weighs 4,394 pounds, 544 less than the Q7. Those pounds make a big difference in how fleet the SUVs are. The Q7 also has a quiet ride, but not as quiet as the XC90, which is more serene.
The Q7 does, however, feel flatter and more stable in corners than its Swedish competition and its new lighter weight means it is definitely more nimble than it used to be. But this is still a 4,938-pound car and you will feel all of those pounds on a twisty road. The Q7’s Dynamic mode tightens things up considerably, and in all modes, the steering has a heavy weight to it and is very precise – it has a great on-center feel and is very responsive to input. The eight-speed Tiptronic shifts quickly and will stay out of your way. Driven around the winding coastal roads of northern California and around the gorgeous Napa county, the surefooted Q7 feels in its natural element.
Q7s get optional four-wheel steering, which Audi says gives the SUV more high-speed stability and precision and more low-speed maneuverability. The system can turn the rear wheels up to 5 degrees. In practice, I can’t really feel the difference between models equipped with four-wheel steering, and unless you’re a pro race car driver, I’m not convinced this option is worth it for the average driver. With or without the four-wheel steering, the car is easy enough to maneuver in small spaces.
An adjustable air suspension is also optional. It feels more comfortable than the steel suspension, with the steel setup geared more toward performance and giving more feedback. The air suspension allows up to 90 mm of height adjustability from the tallest to the lowest setting.
In general, the Q7 drives much sportier than a typical three-row SUV, but it is also too heavy to drive like the sport sedan Audi wants it to feel like. Still, for a three-row SUV, it has a perfect balance of sport and comfort.
Sophistication is its Middle Name
Of course, being an Audi, the interior is comfortable and beautiful, the materials used are top shelf, and fit and finish are perfect. In general, the number of buttons has been reduced for a more streamlined look, and the horizontally configured dash sits nice and low, making forward visibility much better.
And yet it still lacks the simple elegance of the XC90’s cabin — the Q7’s interior looks great, but it doesn’t stand out. Part of the reason for this is not offering a touchscreen. Audi’s MMI infotainment system has always been a bit finicky to use, and this version has made it easier and more user friendly, but it could still be better. You can control the system with a giant touchpad where you can input letters by drawing them in with your finger and understands gestures like pinching and swiping, and a rotary **** that also operates like a clickable joystick. The menus themselves have been streamlined and have a flatter structure so there is less hunting around menus to find what you’re looking for.
More storage cubbies would be helpful up front, as there aren’t a lot of places to put things like phones and keys except the cupholders. The center console is also laughably small and shallow, but thankfully, Audi has finally included USB ports, so the car is now Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. There’s also a new smartphone app that is smart watch compatible that can give a user remote access to the car and real time status updates. The available Google maps integration is also brilliant, and allows you to see a satellite image of where you’re going.
Family Oriented
Being a family-oriented SUV, a third row and 5 LATCH positions are standard on all Q7s. The 50/50 third row can be electronically folded flat with buttons that can be accessed in the trunk or by the passenger doors. The third row is a bit cramped and best reserved for kids, but it can hold adults for a quick drive around the corner.
The second row has three seats and splits 35/30/35. Unfortunately, access to the third row isn’t seamless and tumbling the second row is a cumbersome task. The second row should really be power folding or at least a one-step and one-hand operation. Instead, it is a two-step process that requires two hands and a fair amount of upper body strength. This isn’t a huge issue, though, because the third row will usually be stowed away and not in use.
All the Best Features are Options
The Audi Q7 has a bunch of standout features, but most of them don’t come standard. Want a rich 3D sound experience that’s the best audio I’ve ever heard in a car? Prepare to drop about $5,000 on a special Bang & Olufsen system. Does it sound amazing? Yes. Is it worth that money? Probably not.
Even the slick virtual cockpit display with Google Maps integration or head-up display isn’t standard. I wish Audi would just offer some of the best standout features as standard equipment.
Impressive Safety Tech
Audi’s PreSense city safety feature does come standard, however, and will warn you if it detects pedestrians and cars in the vehicle’s path. It can bring the car to complete halt to avoid a collision.
Instead of just taking their word for it, Audi made a leap of faith and demonstrated their safety features first hand. This shows tremendous confidence in their technology.
The adaptive cruse control (ACC) works seamlessly (although it could be easier to set up), and the traffic jam assistant makes the gruelling task of sitting through a traffic jam less stressful by keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front. It can slow down, speed up, stop and get going again all on its own. Another interesting feature is that the car uses GPS to monitor speed limits and will adjust the car’s speed accordingly if the ACC is activated.
Cross traffic assist proved very useful and warns you if there are cars approaching if you’re backing out of a parking spot. The system sends off an audio warning first and then if the driver doesn’t respond, the car will come to a complete halt on its own to avoid a crash. The cross traffic alert package also comes with an exit assist feature that gives you a visual warning if there is a bike or car coming as you’re opening the door.
Lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, large animal detection, high-beam assistant, turn assist, and a top-view camera are all optional.
A self-parking assist is suspiciously absent. All the radar, cameras and sensors are already there, so it would be a bonus if the Q7 could park itself. When asked why this was excluded, Audi executives told me that other systems don’t work 100 percent of the time and Audi isn’t comfortable having this feature available until it is completely fail proof.
The Diesel Question
As of right now, the 3.0-liter V6 is the only engine available. A diesel and a diesel plug-in hybrid were supposed to make their way over, but their status is now up in the air. Audi executives told me they are “still working hard to resolve this.” The diesel plug-in hybrid would have been a gamechanger, and this is the powertrain I’m most excited for.
The Verdict: 2017 Audi Q7 Review
The Q7 isn’t a gamechanger like the Volvo XC90 was, and it’s not as sporty as Audi wants you to believe, but the SUV is still a solid performer. It feels great to drive and luxury oozes out from every pore. The amount of available technology in the Q7 is staggering and, as always, the build quality is some of the industry’s best. One of the Audi’s best qualities is also how infinitely adjustable is it to suit your personal tastes and needs.
LOVE IT
Great tech/safety features
Driving dynamics
Build quality
LEAVE IT
Still heavy
All the standout features are optional
Options are expensive, add up quickly
FAST FACTS
Engine: 3.0-liter supercharged V6
Power: 333 hp, 325 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel Economy: 19 MPG city, 25 MPG hwy (not EPA), 21.2 MPG observed
US Pricing: Premium $54,800, Premium Plus $58,800, Prestige $64,300
CAN Pricing: Starts at $62,500, Top trim $73,500
We’re not even talking about sports cars here. Even in big, three-row flagship SUVs like the 2017 Audi Q7 in question, cutting excess weight is happening across the German automaker’s lineup as if Jenny Craig was having a Black Friday sale.
Less Weight, Better SUV
The biggest news with this new Q7 is that it weighs 474 pounds less than the outgoing model, which is like taking a baby grand piano out of the trunk. You can imagine how much that would help driving dynamics and fuel economy. This Q7 uses more aluminum to cut down on weight, which allows the Q7 to be more nimble and to have 17 percent better fuel economy. Official EPA ratings have not yet been released, but Audi says the Q7 should return 19 mpg city, 25 highway and 21 combined. I averaged 21.2 mpg on a mixed and enthusiastic drive route.
Audi has been criticized for having its new cars look exactly like its old ones, but when you compare the old Q7 side by side to the new one, you can see how much tubbier it used to be. The previous-generation model looks portly and slow standing next to its leaner and sharper replacement. There is almost no excess in this car’s exterior, and although it’s not a huge design departure, you can really see the increased focus on streamlining.
German designers will bore you to death with talk of surface tension, precision engineering, dynamism and throw a bunch of math equations at you to try to explain their reasoning, but all you need to know is that this design works. The design is clean, gives the car a stronger stance, and makes it look more like a wagon.
The outside dimensions haven’t changed much, but the Q7 has a lower center of gravity and more interior space.
How Does it Drive?
The new Q7 looks faster, and it has the powertrain to back it up. Powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6, it puts out 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Under normal driving conditions, the power is split 40/60 front to back, but up to 85 percent of the power can be sent to the rear wheels when necessary.
Audi claims the Q7 can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, which is 1.2 seconds faster than the previous model — the Q7 has more speed and power than you will ever need. Acceleration is strong and the engine pulls hard across the rev range, but it doesn’t feel as immediately fast as the Volvo XC90, which has a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and just feels lighter in a straight line. It has less horsepower and torque, but it also weighs 4,394 pounds, 544 less than the Q7. Those pounds make a big difference in how fleet the SUVs are. The Q7 also has a quiet ride, but not as quiet as the XC90, which is more serene.
The Q7 does, however, feel flatter and more stable in corners than its Swedish competition and its new lighter weight means it is definitely more nimble than it used to be. But this is still a 4,938-pound car and you will feel all of those pounds on a twisty road. The Q7’s Dynamic mode tightens things up considerably, and in all modes, the steering has a heavy weight to it and is very precise – it has a great on-center feel and is very responsive to input. The eight-speed Tiptronic shifts quickly and will stay out of your way. Driven around the winding coastal roads of northern California and around the gorgeous Napa county, the surefooted Q7 feels in its natural element.
Q7s get optional four-wheel steering, which Audi says gives the SUV more high-speed stability and precision and more low-speed maneuverability. The system can turn the rear wheels up to 5 degrees. In practice, I can’t really feel the difference between models equipped with four-wheel steering, and unless you’re a pro race car driver, I’m not convinced this option is worth it for the average driver. With or without the four-wheel steering, the car is easy enough to maneuver in small spaces.
An adjustable air suspension is also optional. It feels more comfortable than the steel suspension, with the steel setup geared more toward performance and giving more feedback. The air suspension allows up to 90 mm of height adjustability from the tallest to the lowest setting.
In general, the Q7 drives much sportier than a typical three-row SUV, but it is also too heavy to drive like the sport sedan Audi wants it to feel like. Still, for a three-row SUV, it has a perfect balance of sport and comfort.
Sophistication is its Middle Name
Of course, being an Audi, the interior is comfortable and beautiful, the materials used are top shelf, and fit and finish are perfect. In general, the number of buttons has been reduced for a more streamlined look, and the horizontally configured dash sits nice and low, making forward visibility much better.
And yet it still lacks the simple elegance of the XC90’s cabin — the Q7’s interior looks great, but it doesn’t stand out. Part of the reason for this is not offering a touchscreen. Audi’s MMI infotainment system has always been a bit finicky to use, and this version has made it easier and more user friendly, but it could still be better. You can control the system with a giant touchpad where you can input letters by drawing them in with your finger and understands gestures like pinching and swiping, and a rotary **** that also operates like a clickable joystick. The menus themselves have been streamlined and have a flatter structure so there is less hunting around menus to find what you’re looking for.
More storage cubbies would be helpful up front, as there aren’t a lot of places to put things like phones and keys except the cupholders. The center console is also laughably small and shallow, but thankfully, Audi has finally included USB ports, so the car is now Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. There’s also a new smartphone app that is smart watch compatible that can give a user remote access to the car and real time status updates. The available Google maps integration is also brilliant, and allows you to see a satellite image of where you’re going.
Family Oriented
Being a family-oriented SUV, a third row and 5 LATCH positions are standard on all Q7s. The 50/50 third row can be electronically folded flat with buttons that can be accessed in the trunk or by the passenger doors. The third row is a bit cramped and best reserved for kids, but it can hold adults for a quick drive around the corner.
The second row has three seats and splits 35/30/35. Unfortunately, access to the third row isn’t seamless and tumbling the second row is a cumbersome task. The second row should really be power folding or at least a one-step and one-hand operation. Instead, it is a two-step process that requires two hands and a fair amount of upper body strength. This isn’t a huge issue, though, because the third row will usually be stowed away and not in use.
All the Best Features are Options
The Audi Q7 has a bunch of standout features, but most of them don’t come standard. Want a rich 3D sound experience that’s the best audio I’ve ever heard in a car? Prepare to drop about $5,000 on a special Bang & Olufsen system. Does it sound amazing? Yes. Is it worth that money? Probably not.
Even the slick virtual cockpit display with Google Maps integration or head-up display isn’t standard. I wish Audi would just offer some of the best standout features as standard equipment.
Impressive Safety Tech
Audi’s PreSense city safety feature does come standard, however, and will warn you if it detects pedestrians and cars in the vehicle’s path. It can bring the car to complete halt to avoid a collision.
Instead of just taking their word for it, Audi made a leap of faith and demonstrated their safety features first hand. This shows tremendous confidence in their technology.
The adaptive cruse control (ACC) works seamlessly (although it could be easier to set up), and the traffic jam assistant makes the gruelling task of sitting through a traffic jam less stressful by keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front. It can slow down, speed up, stop and get going again all on its own. Another interesting feature is that the car uses GPS to monitor speed limits and will adjust the car’s speed accordingly if the ACC is activated.
Cross traffic assist proved very useful and warns you if there are cars approaching if you’re backing out of a parking spot. The system sends off an audio warning first and then if the driver doesn’t respond, the car will come to a complete halt on its own to avoid a crash. The cross traffic alert package also comes with an exit assist feature that gives you a visual warning if there is a bike or car coming as you’re opening the door.
Lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, large animal detection, high-beam assistant, turn assist, and a top-view camera are all optional.
A self-parking assist is suspiciously absent. All the radar, cameras and sensors are already there, so it would be a bonus if the Q7 could park itself. When asked why this was excluded, Audi executives told me that other systems don’t work 100 percent of the time and Audi isn’t comfortable having this feature available until it is completely fail proof.
The Diesel Question
As of right now, the 3.0-liter V6 is the only engine available. A diesel and a diesel plug-in hybrid were supposed to make their way over, but their status is now up in the air. Audi executives told me they are “still working hard to resolve this.” The diesel plug-in hybrid would have been a gamechanger, and this is the powertrain I’m most excited for.
The Verdict: 2017 Audi Q7 Review
The Q7 isn’t a gamechanger like the Volvo XC90 was, and it’s not as sporty as Audi wants you to believe, but the SUV is still a solid performer. It feels great to drive and luxury oozes out from every pore. The amount of available technology in the Q7 is staggering and, as always, the build quality is some of the industry’s best. One of the Audi’s best qualities is also how infinitely adjustable is it to suit your personal tastes and needs.
LOVE IT
Great tech/safety features
Driving dynamics
Build quality
LEAVE IT
Still heavy
All the standout features are optional
Options are expensive, add up quickly
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: TX
2017 Audi Q7 Gets 2.0-Liter TFSI Four-Pot In The US, Priced From $49,000
Audi has announced that a new 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder gasoline unit will make its way into the 2017 Q7 range in the USA, with sales scheduled to commence early next year.
According to the Germans, the new Q7 2.0 TFSI is faster, lighter and 22% more efficient than the previous generation 2015 Q7 3.0T V6 model, needing half a second less in order to reach 60 mph (96 km/h) from a stand still - 7.1 seconds vs 7.7 seconds.
The revamped 2.0 TFSI engine packs 252 HP and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque, and is mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with quattro all-wheel drive sending power to all four wheels.
Also, by making improvements to the exhaust manifold integration, valvelift system and by using innovative thermal management, Audi managed to bring fuel consumption down to an EPA-estimated 22 mpg (10.7l/100km) city/highway combined.
Though lighter than the previous generation model by 500 lbs (226 kg), the 2.0-liter turbocharged 2017 Q7 still boasts a 4,400 lbs (2.2 tonnes) towing capacity, as long as it comes with the optional towing package.
You can get into the 2017 Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI from $49,000, while buyers looking for better specs can go for the Premium Plus version which starts from $53,000, with both prices excluding a $950 destination charge. Compared to the more powerful 2017 Q7 3.0 TFSI in Premium trim, the new 2.0-liter version costs $5,800 less.
According to the Germans, the new Q7 2.0 TFSI is faster, lighter and 22% more efficient than the previous generation 2015 Q7 3.0T V6 model, needing half a second less in order to reach 60 mph (96 km/h) from a stand still - 7.1 seconds vs 7.7 seconds.
The revamped 2.0 TFSI engine packs 252 HP and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque, and is mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with quattro all-wheel drive sending power to all four wheels.
Also, by making improvements to the exhaust manifold integration, valvelift system and by using innovative thermal management, Audi managed to bring fuel consumption down to an EPA-estimated 22 mpg (10.7l/100km) city/highway combined.
Though lighter than the previous generation model by 500 lbs (226 kg), the 2.0-liter turbocharged 2017 Q7 still boasts a 4,400 lbs (2.2 tonnes) towing capacity, as long as it comes with the optional towing package.
You can get into the 2017 Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI from $49,000, while buyers looking for better specs can go for the Premium Plus version which starts from $53,000, with both prices excluding a $950 destination charge. Compared to the more powerful 2017 Q7 3.0 TFSI in Premium trim, the new 2.0-liter version costs $5,800 less.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 241
From: California
Hold it up in the car there wise gentlemen. What we have here is another B.S. marketing move. Release a highly awaited model without the base engine is always a way to gouge the buying public by forcing them to "upgrade" to the higher engine. Now that the initial demand is mostly met, the more affordable model comes along. Wow, isn't that a coincidence. I wouldn't mind this so much if the manufacturers would actually admit they plotted this engine release to extract the most dollars out of the public. They have a right to make boatloads of money, but I don't like it when we are fed stories without the entire motive.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 241
From: California
It's amazing a truck this big can do 0-60 in 7.1 seconds with the four cylinder. But none of these speed claims make any sense. I just did some digging and apparently the former model could be equipped with two different gas 3.0T engines (cars.com). The former one had 280 hp (never heard of this engine before), so it's believable the new 2.0 could be faster. But most people popped for the higher output 3.0T with 333 hp and that was the most popular option. The press ad above is quite misleading, as many are going to go right to last year's upgarded 3.0T and think the new 2.0T is faster.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 251
From: Illinois
The new 2.0t makes its 273 ft. lb. at 1,600 rpm which will be beneficial in a big vehicle like the Q7. In the new A4 it does 0-60 in 5.2 seconds (C&D). Obviously MUCH lighter than the Q7 but it should be OK in the Q7.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
It's amazing a truck this big can do 0-60 in 7.1 seconds with the four cylinder. But none of these speed claims make any sense. I just did some digging and apparently the former model could be equipped with two different gas 3.0T engines (cars.com). The former one had 280 hp (never heard of this engine before), so it's believable the new 2.0 could be faster. But most people popped for the higher output 3.0T with 333 hp and that was the most popular option. The press ad above is quite misleading, as many are going to go right to last year's upgarded 3.0T and think the new 2.0T is faster.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Hold it up in the car there wise gentlemen. What we have here is another B.S. marketing move. Release a highly awaited model without the base engine is always a way to gouge the buying public by forcing them to "upgrade" to the higher engine. Now that the initial demand is mostly met, the more affordable model comes along. Wow, isn't that a coincidence. I wouldn't mind this so much if the manufacturers would actually admit they plotted this engine release to extract the most dollars out of the public. They have a right to make boatloads of money, but I don't like it when we are fed stories without the entire motive.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,195
Likes: 1,844
From: WA
I'm certainly not upset that after I bought my GS350 the lower cost GS200t came out. 
I don't feel that I was "forced" into buying the more expensive engine option. I bought what was available at the time, and did not expect any guarantees that no further choices would come out.
I don't feel that I was "forced" into buying the more expensive engine option. I bought what was available at the time, and did not expect any guarantees that no further choices would come out.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 241
From: California
I'm certainly not upset that after I bought my GS350 the lower cost GS200t came out. I don't feel that I was "forced" into buying the more expensive engine option. I bought what was available at the time, and did not expect any guarantees that no further choices would come out.
I don't feel that I was "forced" into buying the more expensive engine option. I bought what was available at the time, and did not expect any guarantees that no further choices would come out.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,073
Likes: 3,868
From: Maryland
You actually made out like a bandit. If I recall, when Lexus added the 2.0t option for the GS, they never lowered the base price. So all those who sprung for it ended up with a car with a lot less power than the same priced V6. Then they raised the price for the V6, which is way higher today than it was in 2014.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,195
Likes: 1,844
From: WA
You actually made out like a bandit. If I recall, when Lexus added the 2.0t option for the GS, they never lowered the base price. So all those who sprung for it ended up with a car with a lot less power than the same priced V6. Then they raised the price for the V6, which is way higher today than it was in 2014.
Edit: I just realized I'm dragging this thread off topic. Apologies, this thread isn't about the GS. About that Q7...