Audi's Q7 flagship SUV has received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) award for Top Safety Pick. The Q7 obtained this honor by rating "good" in three crash test areas: side impact, offset frontal and rear impact seat collisions. The Q7 also has standard stability control, a must in order to receive the award.
The Q7 backs up this impressive reputation for safety with Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive which is available on all of the Q7 variants. Along with this system, the Q7 also features blind spot protection with side assist. This safety feature works by monitoring the lanes on both sides of the vehicle followed by a bright flashing LED signal on the side view mirror which serves as a warning to the driver if there is a car in his or her blind spot.
This safety award is shelved next to others that Audi has collected recently, including J.D. Power and Associates' 2008 recognition for most improved automotive company in initial quality. Although it seems that Audi now has a fairly firm grasp on safety, they must address fuel consumption issues as well, something they plan to do by introducing the Q7 TDI clean diesel in 2009. Audi would be on a real roll if they could just figure out how to make their new 580 horsepower RS6 sedan more environmentally friendly.
Source: Audi