Audi has almost every SUV base covered, except one. Its lineup tops out with the Q7, a three-row family off-roader that squares up to the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE. But both of those rival firms have even bigger SUVs to satisfy space-hungry American and Chinese buyers in the X7 and GLS, and so Audi has finally responded with the Q9. Compared with the Q7, the Q9 will offer even more space, and a greater emphasis on luxury, just as customers will expect when they’re potentially spending US$ 90-100k on a new SUV. It will also offer more road presence through a combination of its sheer size, bulk and a distinctive front-end treatment that combines a huge main grille, large transverse lower grille and a split-headlight arrangement.

These images also reveal rather formal, upright rear styling, though it’s possible Audi could also offer a companion Sportback model with a more coupe-like design. We know the Q9 will launch before 2026, because that’s Audi’s self-imposed cut-off for switching over to electric power. It will still sell existing combustion-powered vehicles beyond that date, but all new models launched from that point will be EVs. To help customers navigate the list of the company’s EV and petrol models, it’s giving electric cars even numbers and combustion versions odd numbers, which is why the current A4 is being replaced by an A5, and why this flagship SUV is set to get the Q9 name.

 

We’re expecting Audi to offer a mix of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines that hopefully still include a 4.0-liter V8 option to compete with the M- and Alpina-branded variants of the X7, though the trend in the industry is definitely one away from V8s and towards six-cylinder engines instead. Another trend is towards PHEVs with usefully long electric driving ranges, so we imagine a plug-in Q9 should be capable of 70 miles (113 km) before needing a charge.

The Q9 is likely to debut in 2025 for the 2026 model year, a timeframe that would enable it to last a full model cycle (with a facelift somewhere along the way) before Audi phases combustion products out of its lineup altogether in 2033.