Your fleet running reports

[mik]

Nice choice SJ.

And being a press car, you can be reassured that it’s been able to hit the redline since day1

[Mito Man]

Yep I like that.

[Rich B]

I like the older Q7 - the new one has moved from big fuck off SUV to looking a bit dull and almost MPV like to me.

[DeskJockey]

So yeah. This is what happens when I'm sensible. No really. Bear with me.

Seeing as I'm WFH for the foreseeable, I'm not driving the 7-Series the 500+ miles a week I bought it for. The Touareg does very few miles too, but it does serve a purpose, for towing. So my wife started pressing to sell the 7 & Touareg, and get a nice 4x4 that will do towing, but also be a nice family car.

To trim down a long story - a Cayenne GTS appealed, but didn't quite click for me, then this turned up. Nearly silver, sensible miles, not too far from home. It must have been fate. What's the only SUV more stupid than a 5 litre V10 ? A 6 litre V12 Rare too, howmanyleft says there's only 25 on the road.

The fuel consumption shouldn't be worse than the Touareg. Insurance & VED is less than the current 7+Touareg combo. And it means fewer cars on the driveway. On that basis I got it past the wife as being sensible. I'm a lucky chap.

And THEN, googling stuff, it turned out this was the UK press car. It was on Top Gear & Driver's Republic. It's in the one in the pics in the Autocar review. It doesn't add to the value but it's a nice back story.

Cool, a strangely appealing car, it’s very relaxing wafting these big jeeps, bet they remap well

Celtic stage 1 is from 493/738 to 558/835. Seems plenty!

[Sundayjumper]

Nice choice SJ.

And being a press car, you can be reassured that it’s been able to hit the redline since day1

Yes - and although that might be a bit worrying otherwise, I expect it went back to Audi for a good look-over after every review. I'm sticking to that story. Especially if anyone mentions the brakes.

The oil leak Alex mentioned was an oil cooler line - that was replaced by the dealer, along with a power steering hose, and it got a clean MOT earlier this month.

I've never had an Audi before. I've never had a V12 before. It's a double whammy. I have a mental checklist of engine configurations I've owned and a V12 was the most conspicuous absence. Now fixed.

It's in nice condition but very obviously older than my 7 in terms of tech. The nav looks antiquated. The general styling of the interior is older. iDrive is better than MMI. I prefer the general feel of the BMW switchgear. The Audi is just a bit.... VW.

But the engine. The engine. Blimey. It doesn't sound like a diesel. It's not silent, not at all, there's quite a lot of mechanical noise, just none of the diesel clatter. The exhaust has a lovely burble, but very subdued.

This is the only passenger car ever offered with a diesel V12. Allegedly derived from the multi Le Mans-winning R10. 493bhp & 738lbft. Yeah, read it & weep loooosers However, as a data geek, what is really intriguing to me is the fact that in metric units, that's 500PS & 1000Nm. Very surprisingly neat numbers. It's almost as if the engine can do more but they had to put a number on it and plumped for some round numbers, like the old "gentleman's agreements". I definitely need to get it on a dyno some time.

As for the performance, I've never driven any other 500bhp cars so it's hard to compare. This is a big old lump which obviously blunts it, yet is quoted as doing 0-60 in 5.5s. Not. Too. Shabby.

We're off to the Lake District on Saturday. I will provide mpg updates. I know that's of more interest than anything else these days.

3A7ECAE3-8092-4CF2-B39F-CFD61CB03C06.jpeg (54.82 KiB) Viewed 2004 times

[nuttinnew]

Allegedly derived from the multi Le Mans-winning R10.

Meh, It's just two A4 engines stuck together.

What's the fuel tank size?

[Coaster1]

Nice! And V12

I have no problem with ex-press car; nice little back story.

[V8Granite]

Coolest car on the forum easily.

Dave!

[mik]

I do like it, but that’s a bold claim.

You’ll need to enter it into CFCOTY 2020. [mention]Rich B[/mention] is running it this year I expect.

[Foz]

Pfft, the vw shafter (TM) already won the prelim..

Would that v12 engine fit?

[Rich B]

I do like it, but that’s a bold claim.

You’ll need to enter it into CFCOTY 2020. @Rich B is running it this year I expect.

been and gone I'm afraid. We're gearing up for 2022 now.

[JonMad]

Congratulations! What a crazy, epic piece of kit.

Seeing as I'm WFH for the foreseeable, I'm not driving the 7-Series the 500+ miles a week I bought it for. The Touareg does very few miles too, but it does serve a purpose, for towing. So my wife started pressing to sell the 7 & Touareg, and get a nice 4x4 that will do towing, but also be a nice family car.

Two things I love about this.
- A new car was Mrs SJ's idea
- She seemed convinced that a V10 Touareg wasn't already a nice family car

Is the Audi a level up on the Touareg in terms of comfort and luxury?
Can't wait to see you rock up to an event with this as the tow car.

[V8Granite]

Mr Jumper - ahh a warning light, oh I see, cam sensor.
Mrs Jumper - ahh that won’t take long.




2 weeks later.

Mrs jumper - why can’t we use the car again ?
Mr Jumper - Cam sensor sweetie.
Mrs Jumper - so is that why the body is off ?
Mr Jumper - V12 baby, V12......

Dave!

[duncs500]

Nice one SJ.

[Sundayjumper]

Thanks all

Here’s fun. I found an online calculator to estimate 0-60 times.

https://www.carspecs.us/calculator/0-60

Rounding off a bit and saying 500bhp & 2700kg, it says the Q7 will do 0-60 in 5.5 seconds - exactly as per the official spec.

If I attach the Compact & trailer, say 1200kg + 700kg to make 4600kg total, it says 8.2 seconds.

0-60 for a standard 318ti is about 9s.

So that means the Compact will now get to sixty faster on the trailer than it can under its own power

[integrale_evo]

How many seats does it have?

2700kg plus 5 chunky people, full tank of fuel and a bit of luggage is getting close to the 3.5t limit most people in the uk under 40 will be allowed to drive

[Jobbo]

Press car... do I remember correctly that that particular car was optioned up well beyond the normal high spec of a V12 TDI?

[Broccers]

Looks good that SJ

[V8Granite]

How many seats does it have?

2700kg plus 5 chunky people, full tank of fuel and a bit of luggage is getting close to the 3.5t limit most people in the uk under 40 will be allowed to drive

Bloody hell, that’s Discovery 4 territory

Dave!

[Nathan]

Press car... do I remember correctly that that particular car was optioned up well beyond the normal high spec of a V12 TDI?

Doesn't seem like it : https://www.shorehamvehicleauctions.com ... f78fbaed0e

Some of the press cars had baseball glove leather.

Nice one SJ