Audi Q9 flagship SUV coming soon

Audi has been without an extra-large flagship SUV to rival Mercedes GLS and BMW X7 models for years now, but the new Audi Q9 will change that in the coming months.

While technical details including the Audi Q9’s platform and powertrains remain a tightly-kept secret, spy photos over the past 18 months show the steady removal of camouflage as Audi’s new SUV range-topper nears production.

There’s talk of an official reveal later in 2022 or early in 2023, with sales to follow next year, and the all-new model is firmly on Audi Australia’s agenda, which is no surprise given the importance of SUVs to the four-ringed German premium brand in this country.

When questioned about the local relevance of a big new Audi SUV spotted testing in camo in Europe, Audi Australia corporate communications manager Shaun Cleary was optimistic.

“Yes, we’d certainly be open to any future product opportunities that might be available,” he said, treading carefully so as not to confirm the name of the new SUV.

“In Australia there’s a great affinity for SUVs in general – large SUVs – and we’ve certainly seen that reflected within the brand,” he added.

There’s no official name attached to the large prestige SUV yet, but logic suggests the Q9 moniker will be used given Audi’s model naming convention and the fact it will be larger and more expensive than both the Audi Q7 and Q8.

Expected to be a three-row, seven-seat SUV like the X7 and GLS, Audi’s biggest SUV to date will likely be available with six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines as per the Q7 and Q8, and perhaps various hybrid powertrains including a plug-in version.

At the top of the tree we could even see SQ9 and RS Q9 models powered by Audi Sport’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8, as seen in the Audi RS Q8, which produces a tyre-scorching 440kW and 800Nm.

It’s unclear whether the new SUV will be based on the same MLB platform as Audi’s existing Q7 and Q8 models, which are “hugely important vehicles” for Audi in Australia, observed Cleary.

Alternatively, the new Audi Q9 could be underpinned by the German brand’s next-gen scalable PPC (premium platform combustion), or the same new Sport version of the Volkswagen Group Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), as per Porsche’s upcoming new flagship electric SUV.

Loads of high-end features and technologies can be expected to make the grade, such as Matrix LED headlights, semi-autonomous steering, braking and acceleration, and super-smooth ride comfort via air suspension and adaptive dampers – even if it rides on ultra-massive 22-inch alloy wheels.

All the usual cabin luxuries will be included, such as Nappa leather upholstery, powered seats – with massage features up front – and digital screens for everyone, including rear passengers.

Two-row versions with ultra-lavish adjustable second-row captain’s chairs could also be on the cards, especially if the SUV’s target markets are China and the US.

If the Audi Q9 makes the trek to Australia – and the positive tone from local execs suggest it will – the premium SUV can be expected to be priced from around $150,000, given the starting prices of the BMW X7 ($138,900) and Mercedes-Benz GLS ($164,342).

“We’ve certainly had a lot of success with SUVs as we’ve rolled them out over the last eight or nine years, and we now have a huge range. There’s a lot of variants within the portfolio,” said Cleary.

The brand is still working hard to bring the new Audi Q4 e-tron electric SUV to Australia and Cleary said that any new SUVs would be welcomed with open arms.

“If you think of models like the Audi SQ5 TDI that created a new niche of performance vehicles, there’s now great depth to our SUV story.

“We’ve certainly had a lot of success with SUVs as we’ve rolled them out. Over the last eight or nine years, we now have a huge range. There’s a lot of variants within the portfolio.”

Will we see the Audi SUV portfolio expand to include a 10th model soon? Watch this space.

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