Audi Q9: What Can We Expect from BMW X7’s Rival? PHOTO

Cars

The new large SUV will be positioned above the Q7 and Q8 in Audi's lineup.

Audi has been quietly working for over a year on a new flagship SUV model that is expected to compete with the Mercedes GLS and BMW X7.

The model, which will most likely be named Audi Q9, is intended to be an attractive option for buyers looking for a luxurious and expensive German SUV.

Recent "spy" photos, believed to show the sporty SQ9 version, served as the basis for unofficial renderings created by Nikita Chuiko (Kolesa.ru).

Although some details are still unknown, most of what is shown is expected to closely reflect what we will actually see on the roads.

The Audi Q9 will be slightly taller and longer than the current Q7, with a design that is softer, more rounded, and noticeably more elegant.

Kolesa.ru

Audi Q9 Design

Like many other brands, Audi has opted for split front headlights, which has become something of a trend in the modern automotive industry. Just below the hood are thin LED daytime running lights, while the main headlights are positioned directly beneath them.

The renderings made for Kolesa.ru show the Q9 with a darkened front grille and additional air intakes at the bottom of the front bumper.

The sides of the large SUV also feature interesting details. Noteworthy are the wheel arch claddings with a glossy black finish, and the doors have subtle touch-sensitive handles, similar to those found on the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The Q9 has rounded rear fenders, making it more appealing than the somewhat "boxier" BMW X7. The widened wheel arches will allow for the installation of wider tires and wheels likely ranging between 21 and 23 inches in size.

At the rear, the taillights of the Q9 are almost identical to those of the new Audi A6 Avant, with a thin LED light strip connecting them. The vehicle in the rendering is also shown with a glossy black rear bumper.

Kolesa.ru

The interior will feature a fully digital instrument cluster with the latest version of Audi’s MMI system. It will include a dual-screen setup for the driver, while an additional screen for the front passenger will be available as an option.

This tech-forward approach is also expected in the second row of seats, and the Q9 will include a third row as well.

What do we know about the powertrains?

All signs point to the Q9 being built on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) mechanical architecture, which is used in several other Audi models.

This platform supports various powertrains – petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid versions. It is compatible with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines as well as larger V6 engines, though it remains to be seen which versions Audi will actually offer.

The sportier SQ9 version will likely use the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine from the SQ7, which produces around 500 horsepower and 770 Nm of torque.

However, an even more powerful RS Q9 is not ruled out. Mercedes-AMG, for example, offers the GLS 63 which delivers a whopping 603 hp, so Audi may respond with the engine from the RS Q8, which in the Performance version delivers 631 hp and 850 Nm.