2020 Audi SQ7: A Detailed Look Inside This Fast Seven-Seater!

• The 2020 Audi SQ7 comes loaded with a number of tech and safety features.
• Among the features that really stand out: Audi Phone Box and the suspension.
• A powerful V8 comes standard, although a quattro sport differential is optional.

The 2020 Audi SQ7 is the faster, sportier version of the German company’s big SUV. Thanks to its 4.0-liter, TFSI V8 that cranks out 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft. of torque, the SQ7 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. But it’s not all go and no comfort. You get S sport leather seats, room for seven, and a near perfect balance between necessities and desires.

Audi says it is the Q7, but only more amplified. Or to put it another way: sporty meets utility.

2020 Audi SQ7: Ride & Handling

Like I said, it’s not all about the engine, but Audi is really on a roll when it comes to drivetrains these days. Yes, the 2020 SQ7 being powered by that twin-turbo V8 is impressive, as is the eight-speed Tiptronic it is mated to. And of course, all that power is sent to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive.

The S-tuned adaptive air suspension electronically controls the vehicle’s dampers to enhance ride quality. On top of that, there’s the standard all-wheel steering that turns the front and rear wheels in opposite directions at low speeds, and voila, the SQ7’s turning circle is now smaller. At highway speeds, Audi has designed the system so both axles turn in the same direction, which they say allows for greater stability and comfort.

There is an optional Sport Package with active roll stabilization, quattro sport differential for better cornering, and red brake calipers.

Can The 2020 Audi SQ7 Tow?

Towing? Oh yes, of course. With the available towing package, the 2020 Audi SQ7 can handle a maximum of 7,700 lbs.

2020 Audi SQ7. Photo: Audi of America, Inc. (European spec shown).

2020 Audi SQ7: Styling & Design

The SQ7 stands out with S-model bumpers, an integrated front splitter, double-slat Singleframe grille, and Alu-optic exterior side mirror housings. Out back, there’s quad tailpipes and a rear diffuser inlay. 21-inch, twin V-spoke bi-color wheels with summer performance tires are standard. An available Black Optic package gives the SQ7 a black Singleframe grille, black exterior mirror housings, black roof rails, and 21-inch wheels with summer performance tires.

• Related: If you are considering a new Audi, here is what you might pay for maintenance.

Interior Treatments

Inside the SQ7, there is a three-spoke, multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles and a snazzy S emblem; as well as stainless steel door sills with an illuminated S logo. The front seats are heated and come in black, Rotor Gray or Arras Red leather with a diamond cross-stitch. Ventilated and massaging front seats are an option.

Taking care of the “U for Utility” in the big Audi SUV, the second row can split and tumble-fold in a 35/30/35 configuration, with both fore/aft and seat-back angle adjustments. The third row power folds 50/50, returning back upright with the touch of a button.

2020 Audi SQ7 interior layout. Photo: Audi of America, Inc. (European spec shown).

On-Board Technology

There’s tons of infotainment tech on-board the 2020 Audi SQ7. There’s a new MMI touch response system that replaces the rotary dial and conventional buttons. It’s complete with two high-resolution touch displays with haptic and acoustic feedback features baked in. There’s a 10.1-inch upper display for controlling infotainment and navigation functions, and the 8.6-inch lower display takes care of climate control, comfort, and other convenience functions.

The SQ7 also has Audi’s second-gen virtual cockpit as standard, with a 12.3-inch display offering HD resolution as its main focal point. There’s also a Wi-Fi hotspot, natural voice control, and an extensive Audi connect portfolio of online services such as parking information; weather updates; and Yelp reviews. There’s also internet radio streaming and Amazon Music.

Photo: Audi of America, Inc. (European spec shown).

The Prestige Trim Gets Loud!

Prestige models get a full-color heads-up display and an Audi phone box, a device that connects compatible smartphones with the vehicle’s antenna to charge them. A 3D surround sound system with 19 speakers and a 15-channel amplifier is standard. And if that’s not enough, Prestige models can come with a Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System with 23 speakers, a 23-channel BeoCore amplifier, and ICE power amplifiers with a peak output of 1,920 watts.

• Related: Will your Audi warranty last as long as you need?

Safety & Security

The 2020 Audi SQ7 comes with adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and active lane assist. The Emergency Assist feature detects if you are inactive or inattentive for any reason. The SQ7 can initiate a multi-stage process to alert the driver, eventually decelerating the vehicle to a stop (only in the same lane) while simultaneously activating the hazard lights.

Other similar safety features include Intersection Assist, which helps monitor cross traffic when pulling into an intersection. Turn Assist notifies you of an oncoming vehicle when turning left, and traffic sign recognition can help detect speed limits and other critical road signs.

The SQ7 also has five LATCH child seat mounting points with three pairs of anchors and tethers in second row, and two pairs in the third row.

Photo: Audi of America, Inc. (European spec shown).

2020 Audi SQ7: Pricing & Trim Levels

The 2020 Audi SQ7 starts at $84,800 for the Premium Plus, and $90,400 for the Prestige. Tack on another $995 for destination charges. Yes, that is a lot of money, but this baby can haul five babies at once! If you have a growing family, and like a lot of luxury and technology, the new SQ7 might be your thing.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 

2020 Audi SQ7 Gallery

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Photos & Source: Audi of America, Inc. (European spec shown).

Original article: 2020 Audi SQ7: A Detailed Look Inside This Fast Seven-Seater!

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How To Avoid Hitting a Deer: Best Practices & Essential Tips

How to avoid hitting a deer

This comprehensive guide will help. The key is knowing how deer behave, what to do when you see them, and how to avoid them entirely.

This may come as a surprise, but there were about 50,000 incidents in Michigan last year alone where a vehicle collided with a deer. But our home state is still behind West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota in State Farm’s annual study on how likely drivers are to hit wildlife. According to the study, U.S. drivers have a one in 116 chance of colliding with wildlife.

As you plan your next trip, it’s important to prepare beforehand and have a plan in case you encounter wildlife, especially deer. This comprehensive guide will show you how to avoid hitting a deer.

Biggest Threats: Hard To See

It’s important to remember how little time we have to react when driving. Even if you have immaculate reflexes, it takes tens of feet before you can effectively slow your vehicle or alter course. Deer are generally hard to see and move suddenly, which makes for a dangerous, potentially unavoidable combination. So, how to avoid hitting a deer on the road? It starts by understanding the threats they pose, when they’re active, and how to drive in a way that makes you as safe as possible.

The problem with deer is that they’re active at hours that make it extremely difficult to see them. A Michigan State Police Department spokesperson noted that 80 percent of deer-related crashes happen between dusk and dawn, and on two-lane roads. They’re most active at times when light is at a premium, and on roads where they’re coming from trees and foliage. This makes it difficult to see them in time to avoid a crash.

Biggest Threats: Overconfidence

On top of that, people generally relax when they’re on two-lane roads. Whether it’s due to a perceived lack of police attention or just being away from traffic, people just seem to become more lax, especially with their adherence to speed limits.

That makes for a potentially damaging combination.

Another threat with deer is their unpredictable nature. Even seeing one well ahead of time doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to avoid them. Deer generally travel together, and seeing one isn’t the same as seeing them all. In terms of how we drive, a comprehensive survey from Esurance finds that we are too overconfident behind the wheel. With deer being unpredictable and us often overstating our skills, it puts the odds against us on two-lane and back country roads.

This comprehensive guide will show you how to avoid hitting a deer.

How To Avoid Hitting a Deer: Always Be Aware

Be on your guard: Unfortunately, avoiding deer isn’t as easy as just steering around them; they move quickly enough that swerving doesn’t always work. Put down the phone, the food, and pause any detailed conversations you might be having. It can be difficult to retrain yourself to be at your most alert on roads less traveled, but it’s your best bet to reduce your risk of crashing into wildlife.

Know where deer live: If you’re wondering where deer live, the answer is relatively simple: everywhere. They’re pretty much found all throughout the continental United States. If you’re living in, or driving through, an area with trees and uncultivated land, you can safely assume deer are nearby.

Memorize their most active hours: Studies show deer are most active between 5 pm to 10 pm, and 5 am to 8 am. During these times, deer are much more likely to move into open areas that they’d normally avoid during daylight hours. On top of that, deer are much more active in the fall and winter. Keep that in mind for any travels late in the year.

Keep your eyes peeled: Being fully alert can go a long way in preventing an accident. Always watch for signs that mark the areas most heavily-populated with deer. When you are driving between dawn and dusk, you can scan the edges of the road for any reflections that seem too small to be car or house lights. Animals have a special membrane over their eyes that makes them glow in the dark.

If you see one, there is probably more: Deer are herd animals and frequently travel in single file. If you see one cross the road, chances are there are more waiting. To avoid hitting one, it is better to stop and wait to allow the deer to pass by. Don’t “drive around” the deer either. Wait until they cross or run the other way.

How to avoid hitting a deer: always watch for signage as you are traveling.

How To Avoid Hitting a Deer: Best Practices

Don’t rely on gimmicks: Some people recommend flashing your high beams or honking the horn to scare deer into getting out of the way. While deer can be easily frightened, these methods are not a guarantee and can either make them freeze in place or panic. Using these tactics can even have the opposite effect, causing them to run out in front of your car instead.

Your best bet is to stay calm, avoid making noise or changing directions, and try to prepare for any sudden movements that the deer might make. When in doubt, simply slow down and wait for them to disappear.

Keep steady: Swerving does more to put you and your passengers in danger than anything else. A U.S. Department of Transportation study found there were no human injuries in over 95 percent of wildlife vehicle crashes. While you may be understandably rattled, the findings show the biggest threat to your physical health in these situations is panicking and swerving out of control.

If a deer leaps in front of your vehicle, the best thing to do is to hold the wheel steady and use your brakes. Not only is this the safest option for those riding in your vehicle, but it’s also the safest option if there are other vehicles in the immediate vicinity. 

Slow down: Above all else, keep your speed to a minimum. When you are driving in places that have a large deer population, you cannot respond if you are going too fast. You can see everything more clearly when you are driving slowly, and it is easier to avoid deer if you are moving at or slightly below the speed limit. Also, if you do happen to hit a deer, the impact of the collision will be worse if you are going faster.

How to avoid hitting a deer: since they travel in herds, if you see one, it’s likely there are others close by.

You Just Hit a Deer: What Should You Do?

The tips above will minimize your chances of hitting a deer, but the unfortunate truth is that there’s no way to eliminate the risk entirely. Generally, crashing into a deer won’t do enough damage to render your car completely motionless on the spot. The best thing is to slowly pull off to the side of the road, turn on your flashers, and notify the police.

In the case that you only graze the animal and both you and your vehicle sustain minimal damage, you still need to alert the authorities. In fact, it is illegal here in Michigan to not report these sorts of accidents. Even if your car seems fine, pull over, report the accident, and talk to the police before continuing on.

• Related: Stay ahead of winter weather with this comprehensive driving guide.

The Deer Is NOT Your Responsibility!

This is something many might feel conflicted about, but it’s important to understand that caring for the deer is not your responsibility. Depending on the speed with which you hit the animal, the deer may run off or need medical attention. Regardless of that outcome, the responsibility of caring for the animal falls to the authorities.

For those who have an interest in collecting the deer, however, keep in mind you need to acquire a permit. If you hit the deer, do not report the accident, and take it for processing, you are violating state law.

How to avoid hitting a deer: sometimes you can’t and that’s okay. Call the police and visit a reputable body shop afterwards.

Consult a Reputable Body Shop

If you do end up in a crash with wildlife, the bill can be fairly costly. While the severity of these sorts of crashes vary drastically, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates the average cost at $1,840. There is also the potential of medical costs and towing if the vehicle is a total loss. For the local government, they generally foot the bill in terms of cleaning up the road and treating the animal.

With that said, colliding with a deer can damage pretty much anything on your vehicle – from the chassis to the engine, to something as superficial as denting the mirror. No matter what the severity of the crash seems to be, you should consult with an auto body specialist as soon as possible.

Drive Safe & Don’t Panic

While vehicle-deer crashes do happen all year long, they are more likely to happen during the spring and fall. Signs are often placed in areas known for deer crossings, so be on the lookout for those. And be aware of your surroundings when you are traveling through wooded areas.

Hitting an animal might be unexpected, and you might be a little shaken up. But as long as you pull off the road and call the police for help, they can guide you through the entire ordeal without too much trouble.

Original article: How To Avoid Hitting a Deer: Best Practices & Essential Tips

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Honda CB250 Nighthawk scrambler by Urban Mechanics

Released in the early 1980s, the Honda CB250 Nighthawk quickly became an immensely popular model for the Japanese marque. That was largely thanks to the quarter-liter parallel twin’s maneuverability, utilitarian nature, and bullet-proof reliability.

Despite al its strong suits, the chopper-inspired CB250 has never been much of a looker. But that didn’t stop Mike and Tom of Greece’s Urban Mechanics from recognizing the little CB’s potential for customization, and putting the Honda up on the bench.

“Our latest creation is codenamed ‘Velos’ which is Greek for ‘arrow,’” the boys tell us. “We decided to do away with the small chopper look, and create a new scrambler aesthetic that’s more conducive to the lightweight nature of the motorcycle.”

The pair started by stripping the CB250 down to a rolling chassis, and upgrading the suspension. The stock Showa forks remain in play, though they’ve been serviced and fitted with small internal spacers to preload the springs a tad more.

Out in back, the stock shocks have been swapped out for new adjustable units from K-Shock — a fellow Greek outfit specializing in producing suspension components for small displacement bikes and scooters.

Not jiving with the build’s intended scrambler vibe, the factory cast wheels were also chucked aside in favor of a set of spoked hoops now shod with knobby Continental Twinduro rubber.

“We replaced the stock items with spoked wheels from a Suzuki TU, changing the spokes to stainless steel ones and powder coating the rims in satin silver for a more classic look,” say Mike and Tom.

Next came the bodywork. The baby Nighthawk’s tank was plucked, binned, and replaced with a slightly smaller cell off a Honda 125, which boasts a similar silhouette.

In place of standard Honda badges, Mike and Tom have bestowed the tank with a set of aluminum “UM” emblems. From there, a set of punched-out side covers with rounded edges were laser-cut from aluminum and then hit with a coat of silver paint accented with a champagne-colored section at the bottoms.

Giving the build its ‘arrow’ moniker is the piece de resistance: an elaborate set of hand-formed, one-off fenders.

In front there’s a concave, channeled piece—complete with bespoke UM badge—that falls somewhere between a traditional high-mount scrambler-style unit and a modern-day ADV beak.

At the back, a short convex fender comes to a sharp point, while an inner fender shields everything north of the back tire.

“We wanted to experiment with creating our own tail lights and after some trial and error we decided to go with a transparent laser-cut Plexiglas piece that has an LED taillight at the hidden end,” say the boys.

“There’s also a second level [not visible in the photos] that enables it to double as the rear turn signals,” says UM.

Wanting a more low-profile headlight without straying too far from the classic round headlight-look, the UM boys called on their countrymen at C-Racer to give them one of their ABS plastic headlight masks which Mike and Tom proceeded to modify to accommodate a new LED headlight.

But it doesn’t stop there: where the top of the new headlight mask curls up over the front of the top triple, the UM duo have installed a slightly-angled Motogadget Motoscope Mini, along with a small integrated toggle switch and warning light.

The cockpit was revised, receiving a set of braced, aluminum MX-style bars that have been powder-coated in black, set in aftermarket risers, fitted with fresh grips and modern switchgear. There’s also a plush custom seat with bespoke stitching that rides up onto the tank in front, and perfectly folds over the new fender in the rear.

“The seat is stitched in high-quality marine leather. The stuff is mostly used in yachts and has a special coating that lets it withstand sunlight and salt,” say the UM crew.

Surprisingly, the original airbox and battery are still present, too. “We wanted this build to be as weather-proof as possible so having open filters would be less than ideal. This way the bike also gets to keep its fuel consumption at normal levels.”

The stock exhaust was also binned to make room for a full custom system. Polished headers now feed back beneath the engine before exiting underneath the rear brake, and ending in a blacked-out SuperTrapp can with a custom with a reverse-cone tip.

The stock frame and swing-arm, plus the lion’s share of the exposed metal on the bike, have been powder coated in a matte black. The tank now sports a dark turquoise hue and the fenders are adorned in a satin silver that matches the side covers.

Other finishing touches include toothed MX-style pegs, rectangular micro LED front indicators, an off-set custom license plate hanger, and a Nissin caliper biting a custom-drilled rotor.

A fine amalgamation of old and new, UM have managed to cram subtle and thoroughly modern features into this build, while still keeping the bike planted in the vintage scrambler genre.

Mike and Tom have delivered a stellar-looking scoot that ‘goes as well as it ‘shows.’

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Forza Ducati! The Multistrada reimagined as a cafe racer

We’re always impressed when a custom motorcycle design is so cohesive, it could easily be a factory effort. Or, at the very least, it has us wishing the factory would produce something similar.

This first-gen Ducati Multistrada illustrates my point wonderfully. The original is anything but cohesive—but somehow Italian shop North East Custom has managed to beat it into shape, producing this fresh take on a contemporary cafe racer.

Based in Padua, Italy, North East Custom is manned by brothers Diego and Riccardo Coppiello. For this project, they started with a 2003-model Ducati Multistrada 1000 DS. Their goal: a radical aesthetic transformation, without messing with how it rides or feels.

Why? Because while Pierre Terblanche’s Multistrada design might not have struck a chord with everyone when it came out (read: everyone hated it), riders praised its abilities as a sports tourer. And that fact is not lost on Diego and Riki.

So they opted to leave the Multistrada’s suspension and basic geometry alone, and even made sure that the rider triangle went unchanged from the stock bike.

As for the rest, Diego and Riki shed every last ounce of the original design, while blending in a number of subtle touches from elsewhere in Ducati’s back catalog.

The fuel tank, for example, is from a Ducati 999. North East had to modify its tunnel to mount it up, and retrofitted the Multistrada’s fuel pump.

Right behind it is a custom tailpiece, hand-shaped from steel and well matched to the 999 tank’s contours. It sits on a new subframe, fabricated by the brothers as a natural extension of the Ducati’s distinctive trellis front frame. There’s an LED taillight embedded in the rear, and a solo leather seat up top.

The wheels are off a Ducati Hypermotard, as are the front brake discs, which are matched to the OEM Brembo calipers.

The original Multistrada wheels weren’t the worst things to come out of the early 2000s, but these new hoops add an extremely modern feel to the build. The tires are the Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2—a ‘dual-sport’ tire that’s actually very road biased.

Up top, North East tossed the Multistrada’s goofy split fairing in favor of a Koso LED headlight, with a hand-shaped shroud above it. A lot of electrical bits originally sat in that fairing, so Riki had to redo the wiring to move everything to the small gap just in front of the tank.

The guys then built a small dash to cover that gap, with an integrated motoscope pro instrument from Motogadget. The cockpit’s finished off with new risers and bars, a set of Motogadget bar-end turn signals, upgraded levers and a new brake fluid reservoir.

But it’s what’s going on below that unmistakable L-twin motor that’s really intriguing. North East completely redesigned the exhaust system, and simultaneously built a lower fairing, while integrating the two.

Stainless steel two-into-one headers snake down, and then terminate in a side-exiting muffler, sitting inside a box with a mesh cover. It’s a killer touch, and a great way to take advantage of the Multistrada’s single-sided swingarm setup.

There are smaller details to pick up on too—like the new slipper clutch and clear clutch cover, and the upgraded plumbing for the radiator. The airbox is gone too, and the bike now runs through K&N filters.

As for the paint, Diego and Riki went with the obvious choice: red, with minimal graphics. It might seem clichéd, but it fits when you consider how tidy and tight this Italian roadster is.

Bravo, gentlemen.

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