In 1980, a car that was set to change the automobile engineering world forever went on public display for the first time.

Now, 25 years later, at the 2005 Australian International Motor Show, Audi will present its ultimate modern-day quattro vehicle, the new Audi Q7 SUV.

On 3rd March, 1980 the first Audi quattro was shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. Before long, the many competition successes achieved by this model established a heritage of success that has remained undimmed by time.

The birth of the first quattro is a tale of initial driving tests in the snow and of a brilliant piece of technical thinking – the use of a hollow shaft in the gearbox to transmit the drive to the front and rear axles. With the concept refined by the addition of a centre differential between the axles, later to use the “Torsen” (or torque-sensing) principle, the first quattro went on sale in late 1980.

This coupe model with its sharp-edged styling became an immediate best seller. Thanks to its permanent all-wheel drive and 200-bhp, five-cylinder turbocharged engine, it was able to offer sporty high performance in a fascinating, revolutionary form.

Between 1982 and 1984, the quattro won four world rally championship titles, and the exploits of its now legendary drivers have remained unforgotten to this day. Following these successes on loose-surfaced sand and gravel tracks, the manufacturer’s competition department concentrated on circuit racing – on racetracks - and here too the supremacy of the quattro permanent all-wheel-drive principle was patently obvious. The Audi quattro drivers collected all the most prestigious trophies in Australia, the USA and in Europe.

As the years wore on, the ‘original quattro’ grew into an entire family of roadgoing all-wheel-drive models, and today this technology represents one of the brand’s most substantial foundations.

In the 25 years up to the end of 2004, Audi built 1,815,396 quattro vehicles, and the current model programme includes 74 versions with all-wheel drive.

Thanks to thorough technical updating, the reputation of the quattro all-wheel driveline is today stronger and more active then ever before. The term, ‘quattro’, stands not just for traction, but also for emotive appeal, safe driving and dynamism. The quattro models in the Audi range are both a driving force for the brand and an integral element of its innovative technology.

Audi’s new Q7 SUV – the very latest quattro model - is the company’s first large, upright SUV, combining sportiness and versatility with sophisticated technology and effortless luxury. It is expected to significantly boost sales for the company in Australia following its September 2006 introduction.

The unveiling of the new Q7 in Sydney in October will be the first time the vehicle is seen in the metal outside Europe. It will be flown to Australia immediately following its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

When the Q7 is launched locally, two engines will be available including the company’s exceptional V6 3.0 TDI powerplant and a high-performance V8 4.2 FSI petrol engine.

On the road the Q7 excels with the performance and driving dynamics of a sports car and its off-road capabilities are excellent in its category. Outwardly, the Q7 makes no secret of its dynamic qualities, whilst under the bonnet it has the technology to match – on any road and in all conditions.

From a design standpoint, the Audi Q7 sets new trends. Characteristic Audi dynamism is reflected in the broad curve of the roof line and the distinctive high body surface in relation to the flat window area. The dynamic sweep of the front section and the powerful rear end with its sharply sloping D-posts fashion a coupé-like silhouette.

Equally typical of the current Audi formal idiom are the shoulder line and dynamic line, which define the side section. The paintwork option of two contrasting body colours creates a particularly striking look.

With a length of 5,086 millimetres and a wheelbase of 3,002 millimetres (width: 1,983 mm / height 1,737 mm), the Q7 takes the lead in the SUV contest.

Occupants will benefit from the comfort of incomparable spaciousness and a new dimension in versatility with no less than 28 seating and loading configurations possible in the Q7.

Up to seven occupants can be accommodated in three rows of forward-facing seats.

The Audi Q7 will be on display at the Audi stand in Hall 5 from 13th – 23rd October 2005 at the Australian International Motor Show.

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11th September, 2005
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Covers To Come Off Audi's New S4 In Sydney
10th September, 2005
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A Year of Celebration for the Audi Brand
9th September, 2005
Forty years ago, Audi succeeded in making a new start with the launch of the Audi 72 ..... more

Audi opens up its new Cabriolet at Frankfurt
7th September, 2005
Sharing new engines and extensive chassis revisions with the recently upgraded A4 Saloon and Avant, the latest Audi sun trap will be available in 2006 ..... more

Audi Worldwide August Sales Up By 18.5%
7th September, 2005
Audi was able to announce another record-breaking month for vehicle sales in August 2005. Over 59,100 new cars (August 2004: 49,876) were handed over to customers worldwide ..... more

Audi Firing On All Cylinders
6th September, 2005
Audi Australia has recorded its eighth consecutive month of record sales in Australia ..... more

Audi ups the Ante on Vehicle Security
26th August, 2005
Audi Australia has increased the security of its entire vehicle range this month with the adoption of DataDot microdot identification ..... more

The Performance SUV: Audi Q7
18th August, 2005
On the road it excels with the performance and driving dynamics of a sports car; off-road it redefines the benchmark in its category ..... more

Audi Q7 Undergoes Exhaustive Testing
9th August, 2005
“We’re putting the Q7 through just about every horror imaginable to a car driver.” This is the rather vivid description offered by Martin Brand, Head of Durability Testing at AUDI AG ..... more

Audi Takes Lead in DTM Series
3rd August, 2005
Audi has taken the lead in the DTM (German Touring Car Masters series) manufacturers’ standings. A record crowd of 143,000 spectators turned out at the Norisring ..... more

Audi Gives Go-Ahead For New Allroad Quattro
29th July, 2005
As the Audi allroad quattro nears the end of its production life, the second generation of this successful model, is due to be launched in mid-2006 ..... more

Audi A8L W12 Launched in Australia
28th July, 2005
Audi's ultimate long-wheelbase luxury limousine, the Audi A8L W12, has been launched in Australia ..... more

Audi A8 Forges Ahead with a Fresh New Face
27th July, 2005
Audi will release its new A8 model range to the market in August with the striking trapezoidal 'single frame' grille spearheading the model range's fresh new face in Australia ..... more

New Audi A6 Avant
26th July, 2005
Audi has launched its elegant and versatile new A6 Avant in Australia. With countless innovations, a high standard of comfort and luxurious equipment, the Audi A6 Avant cements the claim that ‘beautiful estate cars are called Avant’ ..... more

10,000,000 engines produced at Audi Hungaria
15th July, 2005
Audi Hungary has manufactured its ten millionth engine, a 1.8-litre four-cylinder five-valve engine with turbocharger and an output of 165 kW, which will power a specially equipped Audi TT police vehicle ..... more

Worldwide Audi Sales Record in June 2005
13th July, 2005
Audi was able to announce another record-breaking month for vehicle sales in June 2005. Over 78,700 new cars (June 2004: 67,721) were handed over to customers worldwide ..... more

New Sales Record in Sight for Audi in Australia
8th July, 2005
Audi Australia has achieved a record year-to-date sales result of 2,389 vehicles from January to June 2005, an increase of 35 percent over the previous year ..... more

Audi Launches Limited Edition A4
6th July, 2005
Audi Australia has launched a limited edition A4 featuring a sports bodykit and the new Nokia 8800 mobile phone with a built-in Bluetooth car kit ..... more

Audi's "Q7 Globe" Project Takes Off
3rd July, 2005
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