Prices, Tax Credit Announced for Audi Q7

Audi’s first domestic clean diesel, the 2009 Q7 TDI sport-utility vehicle, will be eligible for a $1,150 tax credit, the manufacturer has announced. The vehicle, which will begin shipping this month to dealerships, starts at $50,900, priced smack dab in between the 3.6L V-6 and 4.2L V-8 gas engines already offered on the Q7.

The Audi Q7 TDI is up to 30% more fuel-efficient than a comparable gas model (also cutting greenhouse-gas emissions), the manufacturer claims. On highway, it will carry an efficiency rating of 25 mpg, 20 mpg combined, and will travel 600 miles on a single tank of diesel.

Powered by a 3.0L V-6 diesel, the Q7 TDI offers 221 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, more than double the torque of a gasoline version of the same size, and will tow up to 6,600 lb. Of course, it also carries luxury interiors, such as heated front leather seats and dual-zone climate control.

–Tudor Van Hampton