Welly 1:24 Audi's part 3: 2005 Audi Q7 SUV

The Audi SUV line all began with the 2003 Pikes Peak Quattro concept that, alongside a LeMans concept that previewed the R8, showed the future of Audi. Even more this was the third iteration of a VW group platform shared with VW's first SUV, the Touareg, and Porsche's first SUV, the Cayenne, and the Q7 was itself distinct from these two as well.

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The Q7 was the first SUV on this platform to be stretched to accommodate three rows of seats, use a less-extreme 4WD system with the Quattro all-wheel drive system, and the first passenger vehicle to house a turbodiesel V-12 motor. This Welly version is powered by the 4.2L DOHC V8 that shows off the details well despite being a big motor in a small engine compartment. The valve covers have the red spark plug wires, the silver cross intake is larger, and even more details surround from the coolant resovoir to the caps for other fluid containers as well. The V8 motor produces 350 hp. and 320 Ib-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. The newest Audi Q7 has shrunken a bit yet still retains the same platform and same three rows of seating.

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The base shows off much more details with little undercarriage protection. The coverage hides the lower part of the engine and transmission, but then starts to show the transfer case, drivetrain, the suspension links, and then the exhaust system that leads to a large muffler at the rear with dual brass tipped exhaust ends. A few things to note: yes I added silver details to the exhaust and drivetrain components, and in order to access the two rear screws to remove the base from the body the rear muffler must come out first (it snaps off). The wheels are nice double 5-spoke wheels, yet they lack any brake rotor and caliper detailing. The exterior of this truck is big and longer than the other two, making it feel like a minivan than a nimbler SUV. The front has a smoother look with swept-back headlights that feature detail lenses, lower side grilles have upper LED/signal lights, while the foglights move to the lower trim piece. The center grille is large with Audi rings and Q7 plate.

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The sides add ruggedness with lower black trim, while the roof has silver roof rails where on my tester the mounting holes are a bit large and visible. The rear window is contoured by a rear spoiler with integrated brake light, the taillights integrated into the large opening hatch (the taillights have quad inner lenses like the Audi R8 taillights), separate black plate area and lower bumper lights with detailed reverse lamps. The interior is the most spacious and contented interior of the three Audi's here. All three rows have supportive seats with headrests in the upright position and detailed seat belt buckles in red, and yes all of them can support full-grown adults. The door panels have detailed handles, switches, and as a change of pace wood trim. Wood trim also adorns the center console with the shifter, MMI controller knob, and arm rest with a cupholder. The center stack has quite a bit of buttons and the screen on top borders between too small and just right. The 4-spoke steering wheel with even more impressive gauge pods with silver rings and even the pedals below get a touch of chrome trim.