For a long time, Audi has lacked a product in the large SUV segment. Top-of-the-line models like the Audi Q7 or Audi Q8 haven't been enough to help the brand compete with rivals such as the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, or Lexus LX.
Recently, the company released official images of the full-size SUV Audi Q9, hoping to bring about a change in sales in many markets, especially the US.
According to some sources, the Audi Q9 is still being developed on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). The vehicle has overall dimensions of 5.31 x 2.21 x 1.81 m, with a wheelbase of 3.14 m.
This SUV boasts a new front-end design with a Singleframe grille seamlessly integrated into the headlights within the "black mask" grille, and is equipped with Digital Matrix LED micro-LED technology for intelligent lighting and advanced driver assistance.
The rear of the car is distinguished by the world's first Digital OLED 3.0 taillight cluster, utilizing a 3D curved OLED panel, combined with a seamless LED light strip and an illuminated Audi logo.
The Audi Q9's interior features a modern design with three screens: a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel, a 14.5-inch MMI central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch entertainment screen for the front passengers.
The highlight of this space is the panoramic skylight, spanning over 1.5 m², with an integrated lighting system on the glass surface that can change color in sync with the interior ambient lighting to create a uniform lighting effect.
Customers can upgrade to the optional Sports Seat Plus front seats with ventilation and massage functions, in addition to switching between the standard 7-seat configuration and a 6-seat configuration with electrically adjustable business-class second-row seats.
In Europe, the Audi Q9 TDI is distributed in a 3.0L V6 MHEV diesel engine, offering two performance levels: 245 hp/500 Nm or 299 hp/630 Nm.
In the US, this flagship SUV is equipped with a 3.0L V6 Turbo gasoline engine, with specifications yet to be released. The high-performance Audi SQ9 version features a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine, producing 600 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque.
Standard equipment includes an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, quattro all-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension, and rear-wheel steering.
The car is also equipped with safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, 360-degree camera, parking assist, safe door opening warning, Adaptive Driving Assistant Plus, and Emergency Assist, which can automatically guide the car to the side of the road and bring it to a safe stop when it detects that the driver is unresponsive.
Assembled at the Bratislava plant (Slovakia), the Audi Q9 has been on sale since July 2026, with the first units expected to be delivered in November 2026. The entry-level Audi Q9 TDI 220 kW starts at €108,400 (approximately $123,500 ).