Audi AG is looking to up its SUV game by bringing in a new flagship offering. The upcoming Q9 SUV will be positioned above the Q7 which will be an ICE powered vehicle. The Audi Q9 can sound weird for now but it has to come since the Q8 number has been handed over to the E-Tron facelift. The next generation Audi Q8 will be known as the Q9. Audi lacks a proper 7-seater in its entire portfolio till date. VW groups push towards 7-seater across its brands seems to be happening already with the new 2024 Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron.
For example, the Audi Q3 now has a SUV version and a sportback and could have a three-seater version in the future. The Audi Q9 will begin its journey in a similar way. The Q9 will begin with a 7-seater variant, there will be a sportback coupe variant and a normal SUV variant as well which all will be a 5-seater. The Audi Q8, Q4 and Q6 will all be SUV’s with EV powertrains and can also get a similar three model layout. The odd number cars in the Audi range will be ICE for as long as they can be.
The model has been spied testing quite clearly for the first time since the information of a Q9 in the making is out. The pictures here which are heavily camouflaged tell us that how long this vehicle is. The design language remains hidden under the camouflage but the massive proportions aren’t lost out. The grille is humongous and it won’t be surprising to see one when the model makes its debut. The wheelbase stretches by quite the margin that promises ample of room inside. Keeping up with the existing flagship Audis, expect to see the dual-screen set-up with touch sensitive controls in the cabin, albeit in an evolutionary fashion. It will also get seven seats as standard with a massive rear quarter-glass, making for a roomy third row. The tailgate also stands upright adding to the heft of the overall design.
Expect to see an S and an RS version joining the portfolio at a later stage with turbocharged petrol, diesel and hybrid engines under the hood. It will also be a model that will find a lot of acceptance in India and could make it here sometime in late 2025 given how the market is responding is top-end vehicles of luxury brands. The upcoming Q9 will be taking on the likes of the BMW X7, Volvo XC90, Land Rover Discovery and the Mercedes-Benz GLS. The new luxury SUV could arrive by 2025.
