Audi Q9 Flagship SUV Spied: Three-Row Seating, Towing Capability, Launching in 2027

Fresh spy shots of Audi's all-new flagship SUV, the Q9, have surfaced, showing the vehicle towing a trailer during testing—highlighting its towing capabilities. The Q9 features a three-row seating layout and is positioned above the Q7, placing it in direct competition with the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Despite heavy camouflage, the test mule reveals a long, low-slung silhouette, indicating it is nearing production readiness. Built on Audi’s PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) architecture, the Q9 will support a range of powertrains, including gasoline, diesel, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and range-extended variants. Inside, the cabin is expected to carry over the integrated dual-screen design from the new A5, featuring minimal physical buttons—though key interior areas were deliberately concealed in the spy photos. The Q9 is slated for official launch in 2027 as a 2028 model-year vehicle.