The new Audi Q9 is exposed, or equipped with a 3.0T plug-in hybrid, can it be called BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS?

BMW's X7, Mercedes-Benz's GLS-class, and BBA are both competing in the full-size luxury SUV market to meet the needs of more business people for full-size SUVs. As early as 2013, Audi successfully registered the trademark of Audi Q9, but for a long time, Audi has been silent about this full-size SUV model, and the official is noncommittal about the new car information that has been exposed in the market. Even though many of the "Audi Q9" models that have been exposed in the past have been confirmed to be different categories such as the Audi Q6 and the Audi Q5 e-tron, Audi is still vague when the camouflage car was first revealed.

Now, Audi has leaked a lot of news about the new Audi Q9 in some regions, among them, the CEO of Audi Australia made it clear in a recent interview that Audi may usher in a new flagship SUV in 2026, and this will be a larger and more expensive product than all Audi SUVs on sale.

Not long ago, we saw third-party renders of the Audi Q9, and this rendered version is quite decent in terms of some details and element application. Whether it's the rounded and wide grille, the split headlight clusters with daytime running lights and high and low beam divisions, or the layered spoiler and ventilation on the front bumper, the core functional structure of the car is rich and avant-garde.

At the same time, this version can be seen from the side and rear directions, from the segmented waistline on the side body to the rear of the car with a bifurcated through tail light strip, these main structural designs bring out many lines. Among them, the segmented waistline includes the front and rear segments commonly used in the Volkswagen series, and also creates the upper and lower layers of the middle edge on the door panels, especially the sports side skirts will be highly similar to the existing S line. In addition, the digital lighting layout inside the taillights is significant, with the rear bumper being raised by a large movement, while the small spoiler panels on both sides of the rear windshield are connected to the side and windows at the top of the D-pillar through black decorative panels.

In addition to this rendered version, we have seen a new version appear in recent days. Compared to the radical design seen earlier, this version seems to be more atmospheric, and it even has some elements from the masses. The car also uses a large grille grille surrounded by black bezels, and completes the layout of the ventilation and heat dissipation vents in the lower area, but the C-shaped deflectors with high and low beams on both sides and the central surround effect are more intense, while the segmented waistline and side door panels with Audi 100 semi-hidden door handles will also make this full-size SUV look more organized and more in line with business positioning.

In addition to these two third-party rendered versions, the Audi Q9 has also been photographed by the media in the factory test spy photos, the grille style, long daytime running lights and split high and low beams appear on the front of the car are very clear, and the treatment and air hole shape on the bumper also coincide with the rendered version. However, the headlights at the rear of the car have not yet been fitted, and the test car uses only temporary lighting, but the L-shaped camouflage cover is somewhat indicative of the shape of the headlights that will be used in the future of the car.

In one of the spy shots, we also see the second row of windows open, but this angle does not provide us with any reference value, and the full-size SUV will inevitably have three rows of seats to meet both product positioning and expectations in the full-size SUV consumer market.

Write at the end

So far, the Audi Q9 has limited information to confirm, but from media information to official statements, we can confirm the market layout of this model. In addition, the Audi Q9 based on the MLB Evo platform has not yet announced any power information, but in order to maintain competition with the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-class, the Audi Q9 is still likely to adhere to the V6 and V8 fuel power options. However, in terms of product development sequence, the 60TFSI e nameplate, which represents the 3.0T V6 engine and electric motor, is still expected to appear in the full-size SUV, and will come with a power level of 335kW and 700Nm.