Quartet high

Audi prides itself on its 25-year history of working with all-wheel drive vehicles. However, its extensive program has not yet been any SUV, or SUV. An old-fashioned Allroad Quattro was built on the A6 Avant. He showed good ability to scramble on every steep, but a large number of buyers are not attracted. This task is designed to solve the all-new Q7. It is a combination of a huge body (5086 mm in length) and a memorable design. In the struggle for potential buyers oppose his classmates: BMW X5, Mercedes ML and VW Touareg. How much do they compare? This was our test.Bukva Q in the index indicates a Audi Quattro, but may also mean Qualitat - quality and Quantitat - number. In technical terms related model is similar to the class of the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg, but it has much longer wheelbase (3002 mm instead of 2855 mm). From this it follows that the passengers in the back seat can enjoy the spaciousness of a royal. Also, this space can be used to install the third-row seats (optional, $ 1132). If people take the first two series, the Audi will appreciate a huge amount of luggage - 775 liters. True, the loading capacity will have to raise the load fairly vysoko.Otdelka Q7 attracts the attention of good materials and careful adjustment of the joints. Also, carefully decorated interior and BMW X5. By exploring the aerodynamics of the car Munich competitors can not compete, but reserve space in the cabin VMW less than that of rivals, and fit in the trunk of smaller suitcases. Efficient loading of this machine for nearly two hundredweight less than the Audi or Mercedes. Another gap - the limited load on the towbar 2.7 tons, while the remaining contestants could drag on 3.5. Despite the air suspension, VW concedes rivals the weight of the goods taken on bort.Ochen spacious Mercedes: driver and front passenger can enjoy a space nearly as well as inside the Audi. In ML widest range of longitudinal adjustment of the seat. A great advantage of the security may be considered an optional Pre-Safe-System, which in the case of an emergency or accident pulls the belt, resulting in brake booster and willingness to return to a safe position seat backs. VW Touareg V equipment in the serial no fog lamps and side eyrbegov not provided at all. At the same time, Audi is equipped with even a system that signals the driver of dangerous proximity with neighbors ryadu.Iz due to its stiffer suspension gives the impression of BMW X5 SUV with sporting instincts, while his opponents have shown themselves much more comfortable cars. The highest level of comfort at all test sites showed up at the Mercedes ML, it seems, thanks to air suspension. Single shocks, such lids of manholes or small dents on the road, he "digests" much better than its competitors. In the cabin ML silence. VW on the results of measurements show a moderate noise level in the cabin, although the chassis a little "talking". At speeds above 160 km / h the aerodynamic noise becomes louder. Similarly, although to a much milder form, "voiced" long waves Q7.Na road Touareg active buildup reacts: more noticeable than the Audi. But the short cross irregularities slopes or travel beyond the edge of the asphalt blade VW like a lot more. On the autobahn Q7 behaves very well, not least because of the possibility set the suspension "comfort." Touareg on the highway because of its softness - crank. To improve off-road VW has a switchable rear axle stabilizer (optional, $ 2233). Suspension X5 has the smallest range of strokes, so the off-property "Bavarian" neserezny.V recent good form is considered to diesel engine SUV had over 200 hp. with. and gave a torque of 500 Nm. All our vehicles are equipped with subjects 6-cylinder power units with 3-liter system Common-Rail, has 4 valves per cylinder and diesel particulate filters - gentlemanly set of modern technology. Thanks to advanced electronics Q7 engine produces additional 9 liters. with. power. Just like the Mercedes ML, VW engine has a capacity of 224 hp, but due to technical improvements produces 10 lb more torque already at 1600 min-1. In-line 6-cylinder engine offers 218 hp BMW and reaches its maximum torque at 2000 rpm the engine is transmitted 1.Sila way through six, while the Mercedes - a seven-speed automatic transmission. For off-road riding only VW has standard equipment downshift. ML Buyers can order for 1914 euros. Audi and BMW do not have these capabilities and are designed for off road use too. This approach has its advantages: transmission much easier. Less friction and lower fuel consumption. In fact, the test average diesel fuel consumption was at Q7-11, 7 x, y BMW - 11,6 x, y Mercedes -12,1 l and VW - 12,6 liters per 100 kilometers. At the same time Audi and VW engines a little more noisy. BMW engine responds more readily to the gas and likes high oboroty.ML exactly works throughout the rev range. Its powerful CDI provides a sure and fast the track test of control. However, the electronic system comes into play quickly and brutally, forcing the driver to his will. BMW showed good acceleration properties, but in general the escape behavior was not the most convincing. Even though its steering is found in the quartet model. VW steering wheel maloinformativen and requires large angles. Touareg showed the greatest time of the passage slaloma.Audi demonstrated good sliding properties and decent handling. Its four-wheel drive is equipped with a central differential, transmission 60% effort to the rear axle. If necessary, it redistributes to 65%. Audi Q7 + Space, handling, image .- Off. BMW X5 + Engine, dynamic, image .- The tightness is not the best comfort. MB ML 320 + Comfort, image, brakes, cross-.- Hard ESP.VW Touareg + Off-road, comfort .- Handling, brakes. Who will win? What a pile of iron, power, innovation and image of the dumping is not sold, it is clear immediately. However, the difference of almost 2800 euro in the base price between Mercedes-Benz and VW is the argument. Mercedes offers a reasonable operating costs, but the Audi efficiency gains in the category of valuable points. BMW - not the most suitable vehicle for savings. Audi Q7 played adequately reflected the prime minister and all the attacks on opponents. Thanks to the spacious bodywork, good stability and dynamics, it immediately established itself as a favorite in a segment of German SUV, let the serious off-road model has merit or not. Almost as practical and comfortable MB ML confidently took the second position. VW Touareg, although the total score and inferior favorites, cross-country - a leader. Reliable BMW X5 to be an outsider, but after the release of his successor in 2007, quite possibly, all the cards in this deck mix again.