I had a shot of one the other day and to be honest I was let down slightly, especially for the asking price of $275,000NZD. The interior is also still a let down, they have added some carbon and trimmed the panel above the dash clocks in leather, WOW. Full leather and an alcantara roof would be more in keeping with the cost.

My in laws have a Cayenne Turbo and when it comes on song the mid range is stomping but it also builds to a nice top end. The Q7 started thumping and I thought "Oh, here we go" and don't get me wrong it is stomping pull but it is all over too soon.

I have driven all the VW/Audi diesels including the R50 Touareg and they are excellent to a point but as real fun they just don't do it. I still think the 4.2 Audi V8 TDi engine is the best of the lot, seems to rev nicely and torque doesn't tail off as fast.

My point in all this is that I think a diesel is still excellent for daily driving but I am not sure that for that little bit of excitement the diesel can cut it. Again the Cayenne can idle along nicely, quietly and reasonably efficient when needed, when you then flatten the pedal it has some great pull and excitement.Out here I could buy a 4.2 TDi Q7 for $150,000NZD if I went new and still have loads left for a toy, even less for a 3.0l TDi. In fact a new RS6 is cheaper and MUCH more fun, will do just about everything the Q7 would anyway, as let's face it, no one takes a V12 TDi off road hahaha.

Anyone else got any opinions?

 

No one else driven one? I am a lucky man then.

 

I havent driven one but I can't see the point of anything with a diesel engine that big in it. Theres just no need for it. You're chucking money down the drain on fuel for no reason.

 

I can see the reason for a Derv engine that big but tbh do you really want a 4x4 thats fun ie very quick etc? Personally i would like something with nice grunt and good cruiser for a 4x4.

For fun i would have a sports car

 

my mate has the 4.2 twin turbo v8 tdi i love it its very very fast for a diesel 4x4

not been in the v12 but can only imagine its quicker

J

 

To be honest I would have agreed with you before but I must be getting old. My Rangey does everything so well, fits my Rottie, comfortable, tows my trailer with quads or whatever even in to a muddy field and does have enough speed for overtaking safely etc. I have thought over and over about what to replace it with:

RS4 too small and not really for towing
RS6 bigger but again won't take trailer in to a field really or dog down on to beach through a muddy track
Q7 I honestly think interior in my Rangey is nicer even at 6 years old
Don't like Mercs
Everything else is too small

Really the only thing I would want more is a Cayenne Turbo and that's simply for a bit more urge, I don't think they are as comfortable though so would be sacrificing that a little. Supercharged Rangey makes no sense to me, I really don't feel they are that quick, certainly no where near a CayenneT and the amazing thing about the Cayenne is that it also handles well for what it is, the Rangey really just has a more powerful engine shoved in to a standard chassis.

So for me a 4x4 with a big engine does make sense as I can't afford a second car to just sit and be a sportscar.

My point on the Q7 V12 was that it doesn't REALLY complete the role as a fun big 4x4 I don't think, it really isn't worth almost twice what a 4.2 TDi is.

Edit to say: Now that I have thought about what Rhys said, if I was in the position to afford the V12 I could have a 2nd hand 997 GT3(sportscar) and Cayenne T and still be at less money so could keep Rangey as throw the dog in car hahaha.

 

LOL Barry think you answered the question below! haha. Nice position to be in though. I like Rangies i gotta admit and would struggle to find a 4x4 i would prefer.

Theres got to be a face lift one due soon surely?

 

opps double post.