New Audi Q9 on test drive – Officially confirmed for 2026
Audi wants to launch another luxury flagship. The Q9 was spotted again during test drives. We have prototype pictures and current information about the Audi Q9 for you.
A new SUV flagship, the Audi Q9, is in the starting blocks, and wants to poach customers from the BMW X7 and the Mercedes GLS. Now the XXL SUV has been officially confirmed by Audi for 2026.
- Audi Q9 spotted on test drive
- Will be Audi's flagship SUV
- Based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) known from the A5, Q5 or A6
- Probably no pure electric drive planned
- It is unclear whether the model will also come to Europe
- Confirmed for 2026
Once again, prototypes of the upcoming Audi Q9 were spotted during test drives. The new SUV flagship will be Audi's answer to the equally large BMW X7 and the Mercedes GLS. The Q9 has now been confirmed together with the new generation of the Q7 for 2026 by Chief Development Officer Geoffrey Bouquot in an interview with Automobilwoche.
As this is Audi's new top-of-the-line model, it will be packed with the latest technology, premium materials and some of the most powerful engines Audi has to offer - but also with a hefty price tag.
When can you buy the new Audi Q9?
It is still unclear whether the Audi Q9 will also be launched in Europe, and the Ingolstadt-based company has not yet commented on this. So far, only 2026 has been mentioned as the date, unfortunately we do not have any further details yet.
New Audi Q9: Exterior design
Obwohl die feineren Designdetails bei diesen Prototypen gut versteckt sind, kann man die enormen Ausmaße des neuen Audi Q9 nicht übersehen. Ein riesiger Kühlergrill, wie beim aktuellen Q7 und Q8, ist leicht zu erkennen.
Die Felgen dieses Q9-Prototyps sind ziemlich klein, aber wir gehen davon aus, dass es deutlich größere Optionen geben wird, sobald das Auto in den Handel kommt. Die Top-Ausstattung könnte mit bis zu 23 Zoll großen Rädern erhältlich sein – ähnlich wie beim leistungsstarken RSQ8.
At the rear, you can see the box-shaped LED brake lights and a roof edge spoiler – quite small for the size of the vehicle. The rear window is quite narrow, which also affects the tailgate. The rear lights extend far into the trunk and are likely to end in a typical continuous light strip at the rear.
New Audi Q9: Interior
The interior of the Audi Q9 hasn't been spotted yet, but we're expecting it to come with high-quality materials and plenty of infotainment screens, as seen above on the new A6. The large panorama display and an additional screen for the passenger seat are likely to be back at the start.
A configuration with seven seats would also be conceivable, especially if Audi wants to take on the other competitors of the XXL SUVs
New Audi Q9: Platform
The new Q9 is likely to build on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) basis that we know from the new A5, Q5 or A6 models. Although this supports gasoline, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, it does not support a pure electric car. It is still unclear whether an electric car variant will be launched parallel to the planned combustion Q9, apparently Audi is not planning to do so yet.
As soon as we have more information about the new Audi Q9, we'll keep you posted.