Key highlights
- Audi Q9 breaks cover as the latest flagship SUV
- Powered by a 3.0-litre diesel and a 2.9-litre petrol engine
- India launch confirmed for Q2 2027
Audi has revealed its latest flagship seven-seater SUV in the global market, called the Q9. The new Q9 is set to be launched in India next year as a new rival to the BMW XM and the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Audi Q9: Everything you should know about it
Exterior details
The new Q9 has become the latest flagship Audi SUV, which will sit above the Q7 internationally. The Q9 is based on an all-new platform, and it has a larger footprint than the Q7, which positions it against rivals like the Mercedes GLS and the BMW X7.
The Q9 features a sophisticated and elegant design language with timeless design cues. The front fascia is dominated by the split LED Matrix headlights and LED daytime running lights that feature projector LEDs to display threat signals on the road. The front bumper gets a big and wide grille design with vertical slats, while the bumper features a sculpted design with a sharp lower lip.
The overall profile of the Q9 is massive, as it measures 5,309 mm in length, 2,010 mm in width, 1,794 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 3,318 mm. Its three-box profile is accentuated by the dual-tone alloy wheels that range between 22 inches and 23 inches. The rear design gets a sporty roof-integrated spoiler, a set of new Digital LED connected lights that project the turn signals on the road as well, a curvy boot shape, and a sporty bumper with black accents.
Audi will also retail a sporty SQ9 version, which gets sporty visual changes like a new grille with L-shaped brushed silver accents, a sporty front bumper with a honeycomb design pattern for the air intakes, ‘S’ badging, new low-profile alloy wheels, and a new rear bumper design with silver accents and quad exhaust tips.
Interior design and features
Audi had previously revealed the interior design of the Q9. It is essentially a seven-seater SUV, but customers can opt for a six-seater configuration that gets captain seats for all three rows, at an additional price.
The dashboard design features a three-screen setup, where a 12.3-inch digital driver console and a 14.5-inch infotainment screen are tilted towards the driver. The infotainment screen also gets the Android Auto OS, which offers in-car smart apps that eliminate the requirement of a smartphone.
Additionally, the Q9 features a new four-spoke steering wheel, a column-mounted gear shifter, twin wireless charging pads, front seats with ventilation and massaging, and wooden inserts on the dashboard and door panels for a luxurious feel. There is an additional 12.3-inch entertainment screen for the front passenger as well.
Audi has equipped the Q9 with the biggest sunroof ever on any of its cars, that too with illuminated patterns. Additionally, it gets electronically folding third-row seats, front seats with headrest-mounted speakers, second-row seats with powered adjustment and ventilation, powered sunblinds, a four-zone climate control, customisable LED ambient lighting, a 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen 4D sound system, and Level 2 ADAS safety features.
Engine and specifications
Powering the new Q9 SUV will be two engine options, depending on the market. The first is a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that makes 429 bhp and 599 Nm. It is paired to an 8-speed Triptronic automatic gearbox and Audi’s Quattro AWD configuration.
Meanwhile, a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine will also be offered in two states of tune: 299 bhp/630 Nm and 245 bhp/500 Nm. It will be offered with a 24 bhp electric motor mild-hybrid assist as standard. This engine is paired to the 8-speed Triptronic automatic gearbox and gets Quattro as standard.
The Indian market is likely to get the 2.9-litre petrol engine. Meanwhile, the sporty SQ9 gets powered by the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that offers 591 bhp and 800 Nm. It is mated to the 8-speed Triptronic AT gearbox and AWD configuration, and it can sprint 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds with an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The new Q9 SUV will hit the production line in the second quarter of 2027.
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