The 2009 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI will make its debut during the Audi Mileage Marathon, a two-week cross-country drive that spans more than 4800 miles across America, starting in New York and ending in Los Angeles. The marathon will run from October 5 through 20, with 184 drivers representing countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. There will be 13 daily stages with 23 Audi TDI vehicles, and it will be headed by Audi of America chief Johan de Hysschen. The marathon is intended to simulate real-life driving situations by giving the Audi TDI vehicles an extended endurance test.
The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI will be "America's first clean, highly efficient, seven-passenger SUV" according to de Hysschen. The Q7 is set to dispel outdated perceptions about diesel vehicles, perceptions that include diesel engines are loud, smoky, and under-performing. With an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on the highway, the Q7 3.0 TDI has a highway range of more than 600 miles. Torque output for the SUV is rated at 406 lb-ft, along with an hp rating of 221 hp. Audi's TDI exhaust reduces up to 90% of NOx from the Q7, helping it to comply with California's LEV II Bin 5 emissions law.
The marathon will make the following stops:
New York, New York: October 5-6Washington, D.C.: October 6-7Cleveland, Ohio: October 7-8Chicago, Illinois: October 8-9Memphis, Tennessee: October 9-10Dallas, Texas: October 10-11Amarillo, Texas: October 11-12Denver, Colorado: October 12-13Durango, Colorado: October 13-14Sedona, Arizona: October 14-15Las Vegas, Nevada: October 15-16Mammoth Lakes, California: October 16-17Monterey, California: October 17-19Los Angeles, California: October 19-20
Other Audi TDI vehicles on the Mileage Marathon include the brand-new Audi Q5 3.0 TDI, Audi A4 3.0 TDI, and Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI.
You can follow the journey across America by clicking here.
Source: Audi USA