Audi will tackle the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG with a V12 diesel version of its Q7 4WD, writes JEZ SPINKS.

Audi has played its latest trump card in Europe’s continuous game of diesel technology one-upmanship – a monstrous V12 TDI version of its Q7 4WD.

And it means the German car maker is ready to challenge rival performance 4WDs such as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG with what it claims is the world’s most powerful diesel passenger car.

Audi describes the V12 TDI as “reminiscent” of the 5.5-litre V12 diesel engine that powered Audi’s R10 racing car to victory at this year’s Le Mans, suggesting the links are based more on marketing than technology, but the specification of the 6.0-litre V12 turbo diesel is still impressive. The engine produces 368kW of power and 1000Nm of torque.

The V12 TDI version easily eclipses the 257kW/440Nm 4.2 V8 FSI petrol that topped the Q7 range when it launched in Europe in late 2005, and just recently in Australia, although the Audi is still just out of reach of rival 4WDs the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG.

The V12 diesel Q7’s claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.5 seconds is nearly two seconds faster than its V8 petrol sibling, but is three tenths slower than the Cayenne Turbo S (5.2sec) and half a second off the AMG M-Class's claimed sprint time (5.0).

This still makes the Q7 V12 TDI the fastest seven-seater passenger vehicle in the world.

Audi says the twin-turbo V12 diesel Q7 has low exhaust emissions and meets the Euro 5 emissions compliance that’s expected to come into effect in 2010.

All Q7’s share the same quattro all-wheel-drive system and six-speed automatic transmission, but the V12 TDI’s gearbox has been reinforced to cope with the significant amount of extra torque – which is available from just 1750rpm. Brakes have also been upgraded for better stopping ability.

Claimed fuel consumption is 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres, which would be impressive considering the size of both the vehicle and its engine.

The V12 TDI version is differentiated visually from other Q7s at both the front and rear. The front end features an even more prominent, chrome lattice-design front grille, with even bigger air ducts either side of a newly designed underplate.

Another revised underplate sits at the rear, but even more noticeable are two different exhaust outlets that are squarer and more integrated than on any other Q7 model.

There is no confirmation yet whether Audi will bring the V12 TDI Q7 to Australia.

source:http://www.smh.com