We recently caught our first glimpse of Audi’s forthcoming flagship SUV, the Q9, and now we’re treated to an even closer look, including its higher-performance iteration, the SQ9. Although it remains concealed under camouflage, the four-ring brand is clearly investing significant effort into this new model. Spied testing in two guises, the most exciting model was spotted running around an industrial park. While there’s still a lot we don’t know, the twin tailpipes sticking out at either end of the vehicle’s rear bumper suggest that this is the higher-performance SQ9 variant.
What those pipes are connected to remains
a mystery, but it will have to compete with the likes of the BMW X7 M60i, whose
4.0-liter V8 makes 523 hp and 750 Nm of torque. As
we know from the SQ8 and the Lamborghini Urus, Audi has access to a pretty
powerful 4.0-liter V8 of its own.
A rather sizeable grille should help feed
any engine with plenty of air, and rear tires that look pretty wide should help
transfer that power to the road with impressive efficiency. Elsewhere in the
lineup, we anticipate that the Q9 will come with varying degrees of
electrification, including a plug-in hybrid option. No matter what goes under
the hood, the focus will almost certainly be on luxury, though. Positioned as a
contender against the likes of the BMW X7 and the Mercedes GLS, with a primary
emphasis on the North American and Chinese markets, this flagship SUV will need
to offer superior space and luxury compared to the current Q7. Achieving this
will likely involve the use of premium materials and a strong emphasis on
cutting-edge technology.
Audi has yet to confirm when it will
unveil the Q9, but has said that it plans to stop working on new
internal-combustion engines after 2026, suggesting that this model will arrive
before then.
