The plan was simple. A weekend at the circuit in Spain, some track time, and plenty of fuel scented fun. But as luck would have it, torrential rain drowned our track day plans before we could even unload the car. We stood under the paddock shelter, watching the puddles grow, when my friend tossed me the keys to his Audi Q7S and said, “Let’s do something different.”
An hour later, we were heading south toward Algeciras, tickets booked on a ferry to Tangier. Spain was out. Africa was in.
Meet the Unexpected Hero: Audi Q7S Diesel
The Q7S is Audi’s flagship SUV, and in this spec — with a diesel V6 — it delivers a surprising mix of brawn and refinement. Producing around 429 horsepower and a hefty 663 lb ft of torque thanks to electric boost technology, it offers silky smooth acceleration and serious pulling power. It is mated to an eight speed automatic gearbox and Audi’s signature quattro all wheel drive system, giving it grip in nearly any condition.
Inside, it’s all leather, digital screens, and silence. But despite its suburban luxury looks, the Q7S hides real off road hardware: adaptive air suspension, off road drive modes, and clever torque vectoring that makes it far more capable than most would ever expect.
Rolling into Morocco
Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar on the ferry felt surreal. We had started the day thinking about apexes and tire pressures, and here we were now, watching the sun break through over North Africa. After docking in Tangier, we hit the coastal roads — winding, wild, and full of life. From busy market towns to windswept cliff roads overlooking the sea, the Q7S glided over it all.
We took a route that hugged the Mediterranean before heading inland, seeking tracks and trails that would give this luxury cruiser a proper workout. The terrain varied wildly: hard packed gravel, sandy washes, steep rocky climbs, and plenty of potholes that would have rattled lesser machines. The Audi soaked it all up.
Off Road Royalty in Disguise
This was not supposed to be an off road vehicle in the traditional sense. The Q7S is more commonly seen outside private schools or valet parked at upscale hotels. But in Morocco, away from its natural habitat, it transformed.
The air suspension lifted the body high enough to clear rock and scrub, and the quattro system kept all four wheels clawing for traction. We passed overloaded pickups and ancient Land Rovers, with locals giving us curious looks as the sleek German machine crawled confidently over terrain it had no business conquering.
There were moments we questioned our sanity — crossing shallow rivers, descending steep gravel paths with no guardrails — but the Audi never flinched. It braked confidently on loose surfaces, soaked up big hits, and even handled tight, twisty mountain passes with the kind of composure you would expect from something half its size.
From Circuit to Continent
It’s hard to describe how wildly the trip shifted from what we had planned. We went from clipping apexes in Spain to navigating mountain passes in Morocco in the span of 24 hours. The Q7S, intended to be our track day support vehicle, ended up becoming the star of a spontaneous overland journey.
We camped out one night under the stars near Chefchaouen, blue buildings glowing in the distance, the Q7S resting beside our fire like a lion lounging after a hunt. What began as a ruined weekend had turned into a once in a lifetime memory.
Conclusion: The Adventure You Didn’t Expect
I will never look at a Q7S the same way again. Beneath its premium styling and tech laden interior lies a real adventurer’s heart. It may not have the boxy look of a classic overlander, but it has the guts to go places few would expect — and do it in supreme comfort.
Sometimes, the best roads are the ones you never meant to take. And sometimes, the best off roader is hiding in plain sight.
