It’s a beautiful place, this state of Maine. The prospect of flying into Beantown for a quick week of rest and relaxation up north in not-quite “down east” Maine left us totally in the dark about what to expect when we arrived. The one constant for us would be driving in Audi’s new, 50-state-legal Q7 TDI.

Though Audi’s SUV has the capacity to carry seven passengers through charming New England, it was more at home (read: comfortable) with four adults and a full array of personal effects in the “way back” instead of some kids and their pet asking the constant question of “are we there yet?”

But this Q7 was no ordinary gas-sipper. It was powered by Audi’s 3.0-liter, 225-horsepower “clean diesel”, which, although light in the horsey category, more than makes up for it in the “twist” range, supplying a monstrous 406 lb-ft. of torque. A setup similar in scope to Mercedes-Benz’s BlueTec diesel line, it uses an additive, Audi’s “Add-Blue,” that is a urea-based chemical agent that helps to scrub the diesel emissions. Walk behind the Q while the engine is running and you’ll get a mild whiff of ammonia, one of the system’s by-products.

Maine-bound
Traffic leaving Boston borders on unbearable, but that’s okay. The Audi coddles and offers a great view of the road (clogged with cars) ahead, which gives you an advantage when encountering drivers who don’t plan a proper entry onto the interstate. Following a Bostonian onto the entrance ramp to I-93, we had to exercise the Q7’s ABS braking system when he inexplicably came to a full stop where the sign said yield. The ABS provided for a sure-footed grab of the binders, letting us stop with more than a few inches to spare.

We could have added coastal roads to our trip but with only a week to spare, we needed to stay on express route to Maine. Loop around out of downtown and past the Boston Garden, and you’ll find yourself crossing the Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, a unique suspension bridge that has become something of a major landmark to the city. Heading out past Cambridge, we continue north on I-93 until hitting I-95 north, where we’ll drive 93 miles. Dive off the interstate at exit 42, towards US-1. Using the paddle shifters to engine-brake our speed, you’ll feel like a big-rig without the downshifting noise.

As soon as you leave the interstate, you’ll find yourself transported back about 50-years to the days where your family might have spent summers at the shore. In this case, let’s call it the craggy cliffs of Crescent Beach. Our point of residence is the Inn by the Sea, located on the beach within the city of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. A year after a multi-million dollar makeover, the Inn by the Sea is at the top of its game for beachfront charm. A full-service resort, it features a newly outfitted spa, which is LEED certified to include bamboo towels, solar panel heated salt-water pool and other eco-friendly amenities.

Impeccably manicured lawns offer Adirondack chairs to relax in following a strenuous drive from the city. A boardwalk transports guests through marshes and wildlife to the mile-and-a-half long Crescent Beach where a brisk Atlantic breeze keeps water temperatures in the mid-70 degree range.

What’s Maine without lobsters?
Executive chef Mitch Kaldrovich keeps things Maine-centric in the Sea Glass restaurant. Featuring locally sourced fresh produce and seafood, Kaldrovich changes things up weekly with whatever happens to strike his fancy at the farms and markets in the region. Undoubtedly some of those ingredients would be lobsters, scallops and blueberries. Reservations are a must to experience dining that is as fine as the surroundings in which they are served.

Hitting the road for points north, we find ourselves driving toward the city of Portland. Along the way we stop to make photos of the Portland Head Light Station, which is also known as the “most photographed lighthouse in North America.” With our white Q7 and its large “TDI Clean Diesel” badging in 9-inch letters on each side, it is clear from the craning necks that this is the “most observed Audi Q7 in New England.” The power from the 225-horsepower diesel comes on seamlessly, but it still takes time for the torque to achieve top speed when merging into traffic. Better results come from “rowing” the Tiptronic by the paddles, and offer a better degree of control for the driver. Despite its curb weight of 5,082 pounds, it is still capable of 0-60 times in the neighborhood of 8.4 seconds. Incidentally, our example was equipped with the optional 6,600-lb capacity towing package, though the cargo bay accepted more than enough souvenirs for this wallet.

Portland is the largest city in the state and it features an active waterfront with everything from lobster boats and sailing ship charters to ocean-going oil and gas tankers plying the waters. The Peak Island Ferry leaves Portland for a twenty-minute ride to the island where bicycles or plain old ped-power will walk you up and down the narrow streets. Leave your car on the mainland to avoid the $82.50 ferry charge. When returning to downtown Portland, stick around the Old Port area after dark to take advantage of a lively nightlife scene that includes restaurants, boutiques, specialty shops, nightclubs and music venues.

What’s a vacation without some shopping?
Freeport is just up the road from Portland, home to L.L. Bean’s flagship store. Open 24-hours a day, 365-days a year, they’ve got you covered if you have a hankering for some Bean duck boots at, say, 4:30 a.m.

Continue north through Wiscasset, where you’ll find merchants unwilling to let you make a visit to their loo – even after a purchase. If you look hard, you’ll find a port-a-john behind Red’s Eats that is equipped with a Purel dispenser. Or as the shop owner that looked like the crotchety old man from the Pepperidge Farms commercials pointed out, you could “walk ’bout half-a-mile down the street” to the public facilities…

Locked up
Back on US-1 over the Sheepscot River, we head to the Maine State Prison Showroom. Twenty-eight miles from downtown Wiscasset, it is not the scene of the crime, but a showcase of gifts and goods manufactured by guests of the Maine State Penal System. According to the Maine Department of Corrections, “the program enables participating prisoners to earn money which goes toward reimbursing the state for their room and board expenses, as well as paying victim restitution and child support.” Quirky, definitely. Regardless, the store is open from 9 to 5, year round, seven days a week.

Our Q7 was equipped with the Premium Plus and S-Line package, which includes 20-inch alloy wheels, paddle shifters and sport trim throughout as well as parking system sensors and a rearview camera. We found these especially helpful when we first got in the Audi, as we were not used to the length of the overhangs at front and rear. We also enjoyed the optional panorama view sunroof that spanned the Q7’s interior from front to back and enabled us to get a great view of the rich, blue Maine sky.

Chow down
The end of the day had us using the navigation system to get back to the Lobster Shack on Two Lights road in Cape Elizabeth. Opened in 1969, it is now owned by Jeff and Katie Porch, the fourth generation of the Jim Leadbetter family. Operating from March to mid-October, they typically serve 1,500 customers a day – lots of lobsters have given their lives over the years. Bring your own bottle of beer or wine, and an appetite. Specialties include fresh whole Maine lobsters, lobster rolls and fried clams.

What’s a lobster roll, you ask? Picture a hot dog bun split down the center. Pile in a bed of shredded lettuce, the meat of a lobster tail, and a dollop of mayo, and there you have it.

As urban dwellers, we were heartened to see local fishermen and farmers selling the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor along the back roads of Maine. The number of roadside fruit and vegetable stands will overwhelm you. And make you want to stop. At each one.

Before arriving in Maine, we had no idea what to expect. What we found was a place to relax and take in amazing sights, sounds and tastes that appealed to almost every sense.

We accomplished a near-total immersion trip in about four days. Driving 673 miles of road including stop and go traffic, we ran through 31 gallons of diesel fuel that averaged out to a little more than 21.5 mpg – and that was barely scratching the surface. Plan to spend more than a week – it is worth it – and you’ll soon be talking like a New Englander.

Or at least like the Pepperidge Farms guy.

Words and photos by Mark Elias. Aerial hotel photo courtesy of Inn by the Sea.

2009 Audi Q7 TDI Premium Plus base price, $54,150. As tested, $58,900.
S Line package, $1,200; Panorama sunroof, $1,850; Towing package, $550; Warm weather package, $1,150.

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