Lighter, more efficient and full of high-tech – The new Audi Q7

No other model in the segment currently offers so many driver assistance systems as the new Audi Q7. Some of them are standard equipment; the optional solutions are available either individually or in the City, Parking, and Tour packages, with the Tour package being coupled to the MMI navigation plus with MMI touch. Compared with the previous Q7 model, nearly all systems have been either newly developed or basically further developed.

Greater safety: The standard systems
The standard driver information system already includes the attention assist, which analyzes driving behavior and warns the driver if there is any indication that he or she is starting to lose concentration. Other standard features are the hold assist, cruise control, adjustable speed limiter, rear parking system and the safety systems Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense city.

The Audi pre sense basic system networks the different vehicle systems. Once it detects an unstable driving condition, it initiates preventive measures to protect the occupants. The front seat belts are electrically tightened, and the windows and the sunroof are closed. In addition, the hazard warning lights are activated to warn following traffic.

At speeds up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph) Audi pre sense city observes the road with respect to other road users (e.g. vehicles and pedestrians). For this purpose, it uses the standard-equipped front camera on the windshield, which can capture events up to a distance of about 100 meters (328.1 ft). On threat of a collision, it warns the driver according to a graduated concept (warning, warning jolt and automatic emergency braking); if necessary, it initiates full deceleration. At speeds up to 40 km/h (24.9 mph) accidents can be avoided completely within the system limits. At higher speeds (up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph)), warnings and brake intervention can reduce the impact velocity.

If the collision is inevitable, the multicollision brake assist system uses controlled braking maneuvers during the accident to aid the driver. This can help to prevent the car from skidding and thus additional collisions. If necessary, Audi pre sense city implements the same protective measures as Audi pre sense basic.

In the assistance package Tour: adaptive cruise control
In the assistance package Tour, adaptive cruise control (ACC) plays the main role. It keeps the new Audi Q7 at a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. The driver can set the distance and the control dynamics in several stages.

The system, which primarily uses the two front radar sensors, covers the full speed range from 0 to 250 km/h (155.3 mph). Its Stop&Go function brakes the new Q7 up to a full stop and lets it start off again automatically at the driver’s request. If the ACC is disabled, from 60 km/h (37.3 mph) it indicates the distance to the vehicle ahead and warns about possible tailgating. The driver can set the desired following distance.

In the assistance package Tour: Traffic jam assist
In the speed range of 0 to 65 km/h (40.4 mph) the traffic jam assist, another function belonging to the ACC, can also take over the steering on well-paved roads, as long as the traffic is moving slowly. The system uses the radar sensors and the video camera. It guides the car through gentle steering interventions and follows the preceding convoy of vehicles within the system limits. The traffic jam assist orientates itself by the lane markings and the other vehicles on the road.

When the traffic jam assist reaches its system limits – as when traffic eases up or a narrow curve lies ahead – the person at the wheel must again take over the driving. The system provides assistance by warning the driver in several stages. As a final measure, the system automatically brings the large SUV to a safe stop.

Together with the ACC, the Audi pre sense front safety system is also on board. The system helps to prevent rear-end collisions with the vehicle ahead, or to mitigate the consequences of such accidents. In a dangerous situation, the system prompts the driver to apply the brake according to a complex warning concept – with visual and acoustic signals as well as a braking jolt. Should the driver not respond, autonomous partial deceleration first occurs and then full deceleration – provided that the vehicle in front is in motion. Here too the system tightens the seat belts and initiates the action of pre sense basic. Audi pre sense front remains functional even when the ACC is switched off.

In the assistance package Tour: Predictive efficiency assistant
The adaptive cruise control system works in close coordination with the MMI navigation plus, camera-based recognition of traffic signs (a feature also available outside the package) and the predictive efficiency assistant, another pioneering system from the assistance package Tour. It automatically adjusts the preselected speed to the conditions – the route topography, speed limits and road users ahead.

Even if the route guidance is disabled, the predictive efficiency assistant uses the route data to alert the driver about situations where it’s advisable to slow down. The system recognizes curves, traffic circles and intersections, town limit or speed limit signs – in many cases long before the driver sees them. The instrument cluster or Audi virtual cockpit then displays an appropriate message. If the assistant screen is active, detailed graphics can be seen.

If the driver wishes, the system itself will control the freewheeling function of the eight-speed tiptronic within certain boundary conditions (in terms of speed and accelerator pedal gradient), so that the new Audi Q7 will roll at idle speed towards the slow-driving zone. The coasting mode is enabled only if it can persist for several seconds. Once this mode ends, the SUV automatically accelerates to the selected target speed, if the ACC is enabled. This highly networked intelligence allows the predictive efficiency assistant to reduce fuel consumption on country roads by up to ten percent.

In the assistance package Tour: Other systems
From a speed of 65 km/h (40.4 mph), Audi active lane assist – another system from the assistance package Tour – helps the driver to stay within his lane. The system observes the lines on the road with a video camera and uses additional data as well. Should the new Audi Q7 approach a lane marking without operation of the turn signal, the system helps the driver stay in his lane by means of a slight intervention in the electromechanical steering system.

The driver can choose whether he would like to be assisted continuously or just shortly before crossing the lane markings. If the driver opts for early intervention, the system will guide him to the center of the lane. A steering wheel vibration is also adjustable. Audi active lane assist is also available as a separate option.

The collision avoidance assist and the turn assist complete the assistance package Tour. The collision avoidance assist supports the driver if the new Q7 has to circumnavigate an obstacle to avoid an accident. From the video camera and radar sensor data it instantaneously computes a suitable track, taking into account distance, width and offset of the preceding vehicle. Its first action is a warning jolt to alert the driver about the danger. Once the driver begins steering, the system intervenes in the power steering with torque in order to guide the vehicle around the obstacle.

The turn assist monitors oncoming traffic when turning left at low speeds. In a dangerous situation, it slows the Q7 to a halt. This intervention keeps the Audi Q7 within its own lane. The system is enabled at speeds of between two and ten km/h (1.2 – 6.2 mph) once the driver operates the turn signal to turn left.

The assistance package City
The lane change assistant, Audi side assist (also available separately), is a system belonging to the assistance package City. It aids the driver from a speed of 15 km/h (9.3 mph) when changing lanes, using two rear radar sensors that measure a range of about 70 meters (229.7 ft). If a vehicle is located in the blind spot or approaches rapidly, a warning LED in the housing of the respective exterior mirror lights up. If the driver still operates the turn signal, the LED flashes brightly several times in succession.

The Audi side assist is coupled with the Audi pre sense rear system, which initiates preventive protective measures in case of a threatening rear-end collision. It also runs in the background when the Audi side assist is off, except with trailer operation.

The cross-traffic assist rear uses the rear radar sensors to warn the driver, if the parking system is enabled, while reversing slowly, as when pulling out of a perpendicular parking spot in front of other vehicles detected as critical threats. The warning occurs in graduated form – visually on the MMI monitor, acoustically and, if necessary, with a jolt.

The exit warning comes into play once the large SUV has stopped. Should vehicles or bicycles now approach from behind, the system warns the driver and all passengers when they start opening a door. The system uses the LED light guides of the light package in the doors – in a situation identified as hazardous, special high-power LEDs flicker and light up red. The exit warning remains in readiness for about three minutes after the ignition is switched off.

In the assistance package City: Trailer maneuver assist
If the new Audi Q7 is serving as a towing vehicle, the driver can enable the trailer maneuver assist when reversing. The driver then need only shift to R and cautiously accelerate. He can then continuously vary the angle of reverse motion by means of the rotary/push-button control in the MMI. For traveling straight ahead, the driver taps once on the control. The picture from the rear view camera on the MMI monitor contains auxiliary lines as a guide. The trailer maneuver assist turns the steering wheel and directs the trailer onto the selected course in a stable fashion, so that the driver can steer the entire car/trailer combination by means of the rotary/push-button control of the MMI.

A rotating sensor in the trailer coupling serves as the technical basis of the trailer maneuver assist – it registers the articulation angle between towing vehicle and the trailer. Prior to use, the driver should briefly acquaint the system with the trailer by driving a few meters with it. The trailer maneuver assist allows a driving speed of up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph). If the articulation angle is too large, the system emits a warning, and brakes in case of an emergency.

Two other systems round off the assistance package City – the acoustic and visual parking system plus as well as the reversing camera. Both are also available separately.

The assistance package Parking
The ideal supplement to the assistance package City is the assistance package Parking. It includes the park assist system (also available separately), which practically automatically steers the new Q7 in parallel and perpendicular parking and pulls out of parallel parking spots by means of twelve ultrasonic sensors. The package also includes the 360 degree cameras. They display different views of the car’s immediate surroundings on the MMI monitor, including a virtual bird’s eye view and 180-degree images of the front and rear. Such views are very helpful with confusingly arranged exits, and in combination with the cross-traffic assist rear.

Night vision assistant
The separately available night vision assistant uses a long-range infrared camera that reacts to the heat radiated by objects. Converted to black and white images, the information can be viewed in the instrument cluster or Audi virtual cockpit. The cooler surroundings appear dark, while animals and people appear strikingly bright. The system, which has a visual range of up to 300 meters (984.3 ft), can detect people and larger wild animals at distances of up to around 100 meters (328.1 ft) and highlights them with yellow markings.

If a hazardous situation is detected, a warning sound is emitted. A warning symbol appears in the instrument cluster as well as in the optional head-up display. If the new Audi Q7 is equipped with the high-beam assistant or Matrix LED headlights, it illuminates persons outside urban areas with three short bursts of light.