Test driver bins development prototype at the famous Karussell

The Nurburgring Nordschleife is the world's most fearsome racetrack and its demanding layout makes it a favourite for car makers' development programs.

It seems you can't launch a new model these days without it having spent considerable time pounding around this famous German circuit, especially if it has performance connotations.

Audi has made no secret of the fact that it's developing a high-performance version of its new Q7 SUV, said to house the first iteration of its new e-boosted turbo diesel.

Regardless of what eventually lives under the bonnet, one day of testing didn't quite go as planned when a test driver stuffed one of the development cars into the fence.

Tipping all two-plus tonnes of Q7 into the famous Karussell at maximum speed, the car drifts slightly too high on the camber and from there it's a short trip into the barrier.

The damage appears fairly substantial, though the car is still driveable. If you spend enough time driving fast enough, things will occasionally go wrong!

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