Audi’s swell Q7

If owning a boat is God’s way of saying you have too much money, then the Audi Q7 Coastline drives that fact home. This jolly version of Audi’s frigate-size SUV takes a nautical theme and sails off into the sunset with it.

With the car sporting an alabaster-white paint job, passengers will have to take off their shoes because that color also runs into the cabin. So white carpets, embroidered floor mats, pillar and door trim, roof lining, plush velvet seats, even some dashboard switches are the order of the day. Not a vehicle to drive the kids to soccer practice in. What’s more, Capt. Jack Sparrow would get eyeliner everywhere.

And aye, me hearties, there be plenty of wood, not just the first mate’s leg. Walnut veneer and dark oak are found on armrests, the gearshift knob, the door caps and the cargo area floor. Down in the engine room is an impressive V-12 diesel engine, with more grunt than a galley full of oarsmen. They’ll like the cut of this jib at the yacht club.

In fairness, this is just a design study from Audi, but that engine, which will be used in a future Q7 model, makes it the most powerful diesel-powered passenger car in the world. She’s yar, all right.

— Colin Ryan