Audi Q7 hybrid is quiet as a mouse - but no pussycat

Audi Q7 e quattro drive by Steve Rogers

Once it breathed fire, now the mighty Q7 is as quiet as a mouse. So has Audi turned the beast into a pussycat? As if!

But the motoring world is going through its biggest upheaval since Carl Benz built his first car 139 years ago.

No reason for alarm. All that has happened is Audi is moving with the times and throwing just about everything into electric and plug-in petrol hybrids. The diesel hasn’t been retired, just pushed to the side a bit. Audi is one of an increasingly small number of companies still producing diesel engines but the take up is dwindling as e day 2030 gets ever closer.

Apart from the new hybrid engine, the Q7 has been given a major update this year and there is no mistaking the chunky black grille. Talk about in your face, Audi is making a bold statement here no doubt taking note of the flurry of new SUVs that have monstrous grilles.

So what’s been happening on the hybrid front? Quite a lot. The electric motor has been upgraded to 130kW with a more powerful lithium battery. The upshot is an electric only range of 52 miles which is pretty reasonable given the size of Q7.

Of course there is no range anxiety to worry about because there is still a three litre petrol under the bonnet, and that is a bit of a peach. It is remarkably refined, well would we expect anything else from Audi, with an armful of overtaking pick up. The 600Nm of torque is a smidge down on the diesel but is still monstrously strong when overtaking yet remarkably refined with barely a hint of noise when cruising either from the engine or the chunky tyres.

With a full charge the official economy figure is a heady 216mpg so if your journeys are short it is worth keeping the battery topped up from a home source which will take under four hours. Once the electric power is spent on a longer trip you can expect high twenties although the battery is recharged to a small extent every time you lift off the accelerator.

I regularly managed 29-30mpg which is good considering the Q7 weighs in at just under two and a half tonnes.

If the new hybrid is the main event then next in line is the ride. Q7 comes with air suspension and it really does give you a magic carpet ride. It has to be the most comfortable SUV I have driven and would take a crater in the road to throw it off course.

My S-Line test car comes with active sport suspension and while an SUV this size can hardly be described as agile there was no rolly-polly nonsense as it swept through tight bends.

So we have given high marks to performance and ride, but what do we make of the Q7s cabin? A bit of a mixed bag, but this is very personal. There is no denying the Q7, or any Audi for that matter, is beautifully trimmed with top class materials everywhere. My beef is with the infotainment set up.

I fell out of love with the interface when Audi dropped the excellent rotary controller. You could make selections on the move with just a glance at the display which to my mind is safer when driving.

Yes, everything is typically orderly but there is a lot more going on and you have to touch the screen so eyes are leaving the road. I will give credit for a definite soft click when making the selection so you know it has happened. At least the heating controls are permanently displayed in the lower screen and voice control will respond to certain commands like changing a radio station.

Audi has a bit of an obsession with black and there are lots of piano black facings across the dashboard and centre console. It looks impessive when it is not plastered in fingerprints, which is most of the time, so if fussy, like me, carry a duster!

It goes without saying the Q7 has masses of cabin space, this is a big car, but one of the penalties of storing a battery pack is the loss of the third row of seats. Hardly a deal breaker.

Fast facts

Q7 55 TFSI e quattro Black edition

£86,605 (starts £66,605)

3-petrol hybrid; 386bhp

Eight speed tiptronic

0-62mph 5.7secs; 149mph

29g/km. 1st VED £110

28.8mpg (petrol only)

Insurance group 44-50

Boot: 563-1863 litres

Collen Players' night of comedy, music and merriment is this Friday

The Collen Players are promising a sparkling night of laughter, melody, and good old-fashioned entertainment for their next show at St Collen's Community Hall this Friday October 31.

Topping the evening's bill, which starts at 6.30pm, will be Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby.

The Chairman of Charm delights with “I’ve Never Seen a Straight Banana” and Phil “Razzle-Dazzle” Robinson tickles the crowd with “My Old Man’s a Dustman.” 

Miss Sue Stokes, billed as our Silver Songbird, will enchant with “After the Ball Is Over.”

Jayne and Clayton — the Melodious Magicians of Melody and Mirth - will provide some stupendous backing throughout the night, with Jayne weaving wonder upon the keys and Clayton conjuring cadence on the drums, this dynamic duo deliver rhythm, rapture and rollicking rejoicing.

And from the parlour to the promenade, presenting those blushing belles of banter and bloomers will be Cissie and Ada presenting a riotous rendering of corsets, cackles and common-sense, recalling the glorious gossip of yesteryear.

Deborah and Jayne - the Mistresses of Melody and Mischief - have their uproarious rendition of “I Want to Sing in Opera,” these tuneful temptresses taking to the stage with trills, thrills, and theatrical tomfoolery.

The evening is all in aid of the St Collen's Roof Restoration Appeal to help preserve its ancient hammerbeam roof for future generations.

* For an evening of toe-tapping tunes, hearty laughs, and a night that’ll have you whistling all the way home book at:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on?q=hammerbeams%20and%20harmonies

Llangollen Barber Shop in finals of national competition

A Llangollen business has reached the finals of the 1st Welsh Barber Awards 2025.

The competition is billed as the ultimate celebration of the barbering scene in Wales - “the fades, the skills, the hustle, and the raw talent that powers barbershops across the country”.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 23 at the Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff.

And there to see if they’ve landed the title of Best Traditional Barbers will be Llangollen Barber Shop based in Chapel Street and run by Emma Davies.

In that category they will be up against competition from six other businesses from mid and south Wales.

Nominations opened to the public via online platforms and social media, allowing customers and communities to put forward the establishments they love most.

Many finalists run their own successful campaigns to rally support, proof of the strong community ties behind these businesses.

Alongside these public submissions, the team at Oceanic Awards, which runs the competition, draw on their industry knowledge to directly recognise standout businesses and individuals who exemplify excellence in their field. Voting will remain open until one week prior to the event.

Irfan Younis, spokesperson for 1st Welsh Barbers Awards 2025 said: “These awards give us the chance to shine a spotlight on the skill, dedication, and passion within this industry, and to celebrate the professionals who go above and beyond for their clients every day.

“We want to congratulate all of our finalists on their incredible accomplishments.”

Llangollen station to star in Escape to the Country TV show

* Railway trust manager David Hennigan gives his interview to the TV crew.

A TV film crew were at Llangollen Station earlier today (Tuesday) shooting sequences for a forthcoming episode of the popular BBC daytime series Escape to the Country.

The show features potential buyers searching for their dream homes in rural areas of the UK who are taken to look around three or four properties for sale, including a "mystery house," in their chosen region. 

In this case the home-seekers were Glyn and Christina who were looking to move from their home in the Wiltshire town of Chippenham to somewhere in this area where they have friends and often visit.

Over the next few days they will be taken to see a variety of homes with a 30-mile radius of Llangollen.

* Home-seekers Christina and Glyn take a stroll along the platform.

As part of their tour of possible homes in couples are shown key attractions in the area where they are looking - and yesterday's stop-off was at Llangollen Station where they were greeted by the heritage railway's new trust manager, David Hennigan, who explained why they should move to Llangollen.

They also met other railway people, including David Shilliam who was acting as station master for the day.

Later this week the crew from Naked TV will be back filming more scenes in Llangollen for the episode, which they said will probably be aired in about 10 to 12 months time.      

* The station's David Shilliam checks the train ready for boarding.

* The couple were given something to remind them of their visit to the statin - a toy trainset for their 'train mad' three-year-old son.

Alex James to head Pavilion Britpop extravaganza next summer

* Alex James is bound for the Pavilion on June 28.

After a spectacular world premiere that closed this summer’s Big Feastival in front of more than 20,000 fans, Alex James’ Britpop Classical will hit the road for its first ever UK tour next year including a date in Llangollen.

Bringing the biggest hits of the Britpop era to life with the epic scale of a full live orchestra, this one-of-a-kind live experience will headline TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion on Sunday June 28.

Tickets go on general sale at midday Friday via llangollen.net and ticketmaster.co.uk 

Created and performed by Blur bassist and Big Feastival founder Alex James, the show takes the best songs from a golden age of British music: Classic tunes from Blur, Oasis and Pulp to Supergrass and The Verve and performs them in a powerful symphonic format with a live band, and guest vocalists alongside the London Concert Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Joining James on stage will be an all-star guest line-up including Phil Daniels, Saffron of Republica, and Gary Stringer of Reef, with more names to be announced soon.

* Alex James Britpop Classical (Picture by Oliver Dixon).

Alex James said: “Somehow all of these songs mean more to people now than they did when they were first released. They really resonate with my kids' generation too. Bringing them back to life with a symphony orchestra, a kick ass band, some old friends and very special guests totally blew the roof off at Feastival and I absolutely cannot wait to get this show on the road.”

A celebration of one of British music’s most beloved eras, Britpop Classical transforms familiar anthems into something fresh, ambitious and emotionally resonant – an unforgettable night for both original fans and new generations alike.

The show is produced by RG Live who have joined forces with Metropolis Music and Cuffe & Taylor to promote the UK tour.

Alex James’ Britpop Classical joins Tom Grennan, Billy Ocean, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics and David Gray among the first headline announcements for TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026, which is presented as part of an ongoing partnership with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

 

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Dave Danford said: “Llangollen has always been a place where music brings people together in spectacular ways, and Alex James is bringing something truly special to our stage.

 

“Britpop Classical is a huge celebration of the anthems that defined a generation, reimagined with the power and drama of a full orchestra. With iconic hits, singalongs, and that unmistakable Llangollen atmosphere, it’s set to be a night to remember.”

 

CONNECT WITH BRITPOP CLASSICAL 

 

Shea gets cast iron review as Tin Man in St Helens panto

* Shea Ferron, centre, as the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz in St Helens.

One of Llangollen's most famous young performers has picked up a glowing review for his role in a panto on Merseyside.

Shea Ferron, a member of the award-winning Johns' Boys male voice choir and star of many local stage productions over the past decade or so, is currently playing the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz At St Helens Theatre Royal until this Friday.

And he's been given a great review in Liverpool Noise, an online guide to the Merseyside entertainment scene.

The reviewer writes: "Shea Ferron’s charms the audience with his impeccable comic timing and robust vocal presence. His skilful performance radiates polish and friendliness, reinforcing the Tin Man’s quest for the heart he believes he lacks."

And of the panto generally, he says: "Directed by Chantelle Joseph this vibrant production of The Wizard of Oz embraces comfort and clarity, steering away from radical reinterpretation to present a heart-warming and family-friendly adaptation of the beloved tale."

Latest news from Llangollen Museum

* Items found at Pentre Hall, Bronygarth now on display at the museum.

Latest news from Llangollen Museum

We are moving into the time of year now when the weather is testing our new roof – so far it has proved up to the challenge. 

Moving into November we will see the end of the Llangollen Museum Sustainability Programme, kindly funded by the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Community Ownership Fund, the Denbighshire Key Fund and the Clocaenog Wind Farm Fund. So many thanks to all of them for enabling us to make the necessary repairs and improvements to keep Llangollen Museum open.

The new security fencing and storage units have now been put in, as has our new noticeboard (many thanks to Dave Bythell for that). Our new entrance door is presently being made, and should be installed in a few weeks and all of our windows and doors are being re-varnished or painted. Our new web site will be going live in a few weeks, and is much more mobile and tablet friendly.

We are excited to announce that the first session of our newly-founded Young Archaeologists Club will take place on January 15, 2026, with ‘An Introduction to Archaeology’. Sessions will be held at Llangollen Museum from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Thursday evenings. Please contact Gill Smith on 07516023524 or gilliansmith2@hotmail.co.uk for more information. Visit the Clwyd and Dee Valley Young Archaeologist’s Club at https://www.yac-uk.org/clubs/clwyd-and-dee-valley. 

The following meetings will be:- The Iron and Bronze Ages, Roles in Archaeology, Myths and Legends, Neolithic Rock Art, Midsummer Celebrations and Eliseg’s Pillar.

On display in our item of the month cabinet is a truly magical exhibit – a wand. This small hazel wand was found secreted away with walnuts in the ceiling above the living room at Pentre Hall, Bronygarth. 

It is just one of many hundreds of objects that have been deposited in the house, including children’s toys, leather shoes and straps, bent blades, pieces of iron, animal bones, broken bottles, hagstones and much more. Taken together, these objects represent a “spiritual midden”, and suggest a long history of magical activity in the house. Come along to the Museum and see all of these fascinating items.

In the art gallery is an exhibition of photographs of Dinas Brân Castle by Jane Evans, along with historical paintings and drawings of the Castle and some photographs taken during the recent excavations there by Heneb. 

In November Sylvia Hikins is mounting an exhibition entitled 'Changing Landscapes', and booked for February is local Carrog artist Grace Hughes, who paints landscapes inspired by the  beauty of the local area.

Our programme of talks continues. On October 29, Dr Pauline Clarke will give an illustrated presentation about the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and the Material Culture of Offa's Dyke.

Since its creation under the 1996 Treasure Act, the Portable Antiquities Scheme has built a vast database of artefacts from England and Wales. This talk, based on PhD research at the University of Chester, explores what these finds reveal about British interactions with Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian neighbours, and how they help identify enduring sites in the landscape—particularly in the under-researched Marches region.

Our November talk has been moved back into early December. On December 10 Gill Smith will be giving an illustrated talk on Hidden Histories and Folklore of North Wales Churches. This will be the first of two talks covering churches from the local area to Anglesey, and the ancient churches on the Pilgrimage route to Bardsey Island along the Lleyn Peninsula.

All talks start at 7:00pm at the Museum. Tickets are £3 at the door with refreshments provided. We hope to see you there.

Llangollen Museum will be closed over the Christmas period from Monday 22 December to Sunday 4 January (inclusive). We will also be closed for 8 days at the end of January (23 to 30), for cleaning and collection inspection.

* For all of the latest information about what is happening at the Museum, do keep an eye on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Llangollen-Museum-100057657969751/.

Finally, as with many voluntary organisations, we desperately need more volunteers. If you want to be more involved with the history of the area, and become a volunteer at the Museum, please contact our manager Gill Smith at gilliansmith2@hotmail.co.uk or on 07516 023524.