Here’s an example of how tough it is to be a product planner for an automotive manufacturer: Gasoline prices creep up, so you make plans to add some diesel engines to your lineup, since diesels get better fuel mileage, and diesel fuel is cheaper than gasoline.
Then gasoline prices rise, but diesel prices go through the roof. A year ago, diesel was selling for 67 cents a gallon more than regular gas, when diesel has been traditionally much cheaper. And since auto sales are declining, and your bosses are telling you to make some major cuts, you whack your diesel programs.
Then, fuel prices plummet, and diesel prices begin a sharp decline. Now, diesel sells for less than regular gas. And since neither is cheap, it’s a perfect time for diesel.
Too late. As a story in the latest Automotive News points out, nine diesel-powered vehicles scheduled to arrive in 2010 have been canceled or postponed.
As a diesel fan, and having just spent a few days in a diesel-powered 2009 Audi Q7 TDi SUV, I say: Too bad we don’t have more diesels en route. Clean diesel technology has come so far: The advantages, such as increased mileage and longevity, remain.
The disadvantages, such as smoke, noise and poor acceleration, are gone. Our Q7, Audi’s flagship SUV, with seven-passenger seating, nimble handling and a luxury-car interior, averaged better than 21 miles per gallon.
The Q7 base model has a 3.6-liter gas-powered V-8, and there’s a 4.2-liter V-8 offered. The diesel V-6, which is only 3.0 liters, can tow up to 6,600 pounds, which is more than even the gasoline V-8 can handle. That V-8 is EPA-rated at 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, while the diesel is rated at 17 mpg city, 25 mph highway.
While the base-model Q7 with the 3.6-liter V-6 starts at $43,500, our diesel test model, which is the upscale Premium model, started at $50,900, and with shipping and options, total price was $62,375. The biggest option was the $5,900 “Prestige” package that included a navigation system, rear-view camera, a Bose stereo, xenon headlights and voice-operated controls.
While the Q7 has seven seats, the rearmost two are just for kids, and will likely stay folded down the rest of the time. Leather trim and a huge “panorama” sunroof ($1,850) add to the interior appeal. On the road, the Q7 manages a commendable compromise between crisp steering and a smooth, quiet ride.
With any of the three engines, the Q7 is one of the best luxury SUVs on the market. With the diesel – that’s just gravy.
2009 Audi Q7 TDi
Base price: $50,900
Price as tested: $62,375
EPA rating: 17 miles per gallon city driving, 25 mpg on the highway.
Details: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive SUV with a 3.0-liter, 225-horsepower V-6 diesel with a six-speed automatic transmission.
