Dubai: Audi, the third biggest German automotive manufacturer, has selected Dubai to launch its new high performance SUV the Audi Q7 in the Middle East.
A four-week driving event was held in Dubai for its overseas dealers and top sales force. Last Wednesday, Gulf News attended the off road test drive event with the board of Audi AG, VIP visitors from the Middle East as well as guests from China, India, Russia, South Africa and Australia among others.
The driving experience was split into two main testing phases desert testing and testing at the Dubai Autodrome.
On an off-road plateau near Al Nizwa, guests tested the off-road capabilities of the Q7 on both gravel and soft dunes under the instruction of professional desert guides.
The programme also included several demonstrations of technical highlights aiding the Q7's off-road performance, such as the hill-descent assist and ESP with off-road mode, which adjusts braking action and traction to specific off-road conditions and loose surfaces.
In contrast to the off-road testing, the second part of the driving event at the Dubai Autodrome enabled guests to experience the multi-dynamic sportiness of the vehicle in road conditions though driving, slalom- and intersections training exercises.
"With the Q7 event in Dubai, Audi Middle East not only had the chance to host visitors from around the world in our home, the Middle East region, but each guest was able to experience the excellent on- and off-road capabilities of the Q7 first-hand," said Thierry Seys, managing director of Audi Middle East.
Karin Haferkorn, Public Relations Manager for Audi ME, said that the Audi Q7 will be available in the dealerships of the Middle East in April and the price in the UAE will be Dh240,000.
"We are planning to sell 10,000 of the new Q7 this year in the Middle East region in 2006," said Haferkorn. She added that the demand for the Q7 is already high.
Rene Koneberg, head of corporate sales, told Gulf News that the first two shipments of the Audi Q7 were sold before their arrival in the UAE.
