Die deutsche Übersetzung gibt es hier.

Yesterday, courtesy of the lovely people at Audi Zentrum Landshut, I had the chance to take the new Audi Q7 for a (not literal) spin, doing some (a bit more literal) field testing.

I should probably start by saying that I actually do not like SUVs. Short of very large families, nobody really needs all that space. The often cited high seating position may be nice for some, but impedes (very important) driving dynamics and (I guess somewhat important) fuel efficiency for everyone. I had pretty much made up my mind never to buy such a thing.
The new Q7 challenges that world view quite successfully. 

First, it throws so much obvious cargo and passenger room into your face, that even Mr. “We don’t need to take everything on a holiday trip” has to admit there may be a point to an SUV vs. a wagon. After all, even for not-so-large families it may be quite comfortable to, well, just take everything with you.

Second, it is astounding how quickly you get used to the high seating position. Parking next to a VW Passat - not the smallest of cars - and being able to just look over it (or spit on its roof) can have a certain appeal.

But, the driving dynamics you will eloquently point out. That is an issue. 
Unless you are driving the new Q7.

This car is probably one of the best current examples of how car-makers create automobiles that are generally getting larger, because customers demand things like comfort and safety.
And then using technology to make those automobiles feel much smaller, and lighter than they are.
Make no mistake, the new Q7 is actually smaller and lighter than its predecessor. But not by such a large margin like what you feel when driving it.

Through a combination of adaptive air suspension (sport version in this case) and all-wheel steering (and drive, of course, this is Quattro), it manages to drive like an Audi A3, making the physical dimensions, weight, and even top-heaviness almost disappear.

And, if you’ve grown tired of throwing this thing through the bends as if it was half its size, you can set the Drive Select to “Offroad”, increase ground clearance by what experts call “a lot”, and plow this 60.000€+ luxury Audi into a field. Because, why not.

All while enjoying the rest of German car gadgetry, checking out your album covers on the dashboard, letting the Q7 drive itself through traffic jams, and precisely cutting out other traffic from your always on Matrix-LED high beam.

Lovely.

And I didn’t even mention yet the interior with leather, aluminium, and wood, mixed sparingly with some naturally unapologetic plastic.

Which lights up at night in whatever colour you prefer.
 

So, the new Audi Q7. The best (?) SUV, that doesn’t even feel like driving an SUV. And that’s perfect.