Applause for Audi

Soldato
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http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=22671

Audi will not make RS versions of its Q5 and Q7 SUVs, says Audi's technical boss, Stephan Reil.

According to Italian blog site autoblog.it Reil said that only "when it is technically possible" will RS models be developed, and that RS Audis will remain the "maximum expression of performance and driving dynamics".

I completely agree with this. Fair play to Audi, even though there would obviously be a market for such cars.
 
Q7S is plenty enough really, no need for a Q7 RS.

edit - the Q7 V12 already does 60 in 5.5s, what possible use is a Q7 that does it faster than that?! :p
 
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Why fair play? They should do them imo :)

It's precisely why the M and AMG badges have become devalued. They should be saved for true driver's cars. Whilst some high performance 4X4s are impressive round the track, the only thing they comparatively excel in is straight line acceleration and 'image'
 
If they are saying RS models will only be developed "when it is technically possible", then that's basically them saying "err, we don't have the plans/budget/desire for it at the moment, but probably at some point". An RS model is as technically possible now as it will likely be for a long time. What limitations does the Q7 have versus the A6 other than bulk? The bulk will never, ever go away.

There may be some fine technical details that mean it will be difficult, but it's not technically impossible, or even likely that difficult. The Q7 V12 is gonna be pretty close as it is. I'm pretty sure most of what they do on an RS is firm up the suspension and handling, tweak the quattro, big engine, big brakes and then slap some badges on.
 
There's hardly any Q5s as it is, they'll probably sell about two RS models. I'd like to see a Q7 in RS form. I'm a big fan of mental, big luxury cars.
 
RS exists to sell S-Line Audi's. I wonder why more people dont get this?

You all want an RS4 but you dont sell nearly enough carpets or fix enough clients printers so you get a 2.0 TDI S-LINE instead and sit in the outside lane with it.
 
<cynic> When you make a product which turns out not to have the projected demand you thought it did, but you don't really want it to look like that, you then tool up production for slightly less products than you have actual demand for. This creates a waiting list, generates intest in the vehicle and saves the embarrasment of admitting nobody really wants your new product.</cynic>
 
It'd be nice if you explained why then? :p I'm genuinely curious. Audi overloaded with orders, so long waiting lists?

There is zero waiting list on most Q7's. Stafford Audi alone currently have 7 available from stock. Admittedly most are S-line 3.0TDIs with the S-Tronic gearbox, but I'm sure that some dealer or other will have a V12 only a transporter-ride away as long as you wanted a silver or metallic black one with black leather and 20" RS4 wheels which seems to be the default choice.

And their sales reps wouldn't be phoning me up and offering 3 + 33 payments of £449+VAT/month on 10K miles per year if they weren't desperate to shift some metal.

In fact a couple of minutes on Stafford Audi's website would lead me to believe you can have pretty much anything from Ingolstadt from stock if you're not too fussed on colour and trim.
 
Well, as said earlier the Q7 V12 is almost an RS in all but name. I'm not really sure why he is digging at BMW + Mercedes with these comments, Just because they don't have the money. :p
 
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[TW]Fox;17623790 said:
How is it? Power alone?

Power alone does not make an RS Series Audi, in the same way that a BMW 335i isn't an M3 in all but name despite being as quick as an E46 M3.
Well of course you get all the tweaks that they make to the handling and suspension and other small things.
But the 335i and E90 M3 are not that different.. Of course there are a few things. But not they are THAT different. Same with the Q7.
 
The funny thing is, according to Parkers facts and figures. There is only a 1 sec difference from 0-62 between an Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDI, and a Audi Q7 4.2 TDI.

I don't think a RS Q7/Q5 should be made. There are alternatives such as the ML63 AMG, or X5 M. So if they did proceed to make them, then yes there is a market for the Q7.
 
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