Easily the best-looking SUV from Germany is the 2009 Audi Q7 with its stylish appearance that hints at ruggedness, yet is completely urbane. But for those who think they need a lot more, there is a package from PPI Design. There are even two, but we will only discuss the latest package; the Q7 ICE kit.
The full package contains a body kit, performance enhancements, enhanced braking system and a newly designed interior. Let’s start with the exterior body kit or shall we use PPIs words “lift-reducing bodyshell”. For some of you this kit could easily end up in the section “Overkill”. But most of all it’s a head turner in any street or city. The front has got a new front apron and enlarged cooling air inlets. The lightweight, carbon fiber-reinforced bonnet delivers additional fresh air to the engine. The side wheel arch extensions and side sills widen the car by 110mm.
The rear apron with integrated diffuser includes the four tail pipes of the new sports exhaust system. The roof spoiler, door mirror housing and door handle trims – available in carbon fiber, aluminium look, polished or matt finish – complete the package.
The newly designed interior is custom made and a nice mix between style and sportiness. You can get a set of personalized floor mats up to a full leather seats. Every part is handcrafted. We loved the mix of blue (french vanilla) and creme inside the Q7 on display. The details are noticeable up to the back of the car.
A range of performance kits is available for diesel and petrol engines. The kit includes a sports exhaust system, sports air filter and an optimized engine management system. The power increase established by the kit on display is 47bhp. The torque rises 45Nm. The 4.2-liter V8 engine gets 600bhp and reached a top speed of about 295km/h. The PPI Design package for the V12 TDI includes chip tuning, racing catalytics, full exhaust and air intake system with new hood producing ram-charged air.
Brake discs in the dimensions 405 x 34mm (front) and 380 x 28mm (rear) were installed on the model shown. The PPI alloys match the color of the body work. Michelin size 315/25 ZR 23 tyres were fitted and accompany the massive looks of the vehicle.
Audi Q7 SUVs with air suspension can install a height control system. The system is an addition to the production function and allows ride heights between 40mm and 70mm.
The PPI Design Q7 ICE is most of all a head turner everywhere you drive. Some of you would immediately call it overkill, but there is something to it really. The performance kits seem to deliver less the main competition like MTM and ABT. But due to the large variety of Audi engine outputs you can end up with more than you anticipated before. We believe PPI Design added value to this car and made it more exclusive even for every day usage. However, it did loose some of its stylish appearance in favour of its new massive looks.
For more information visit PPIdesign.com.
