Audi Q9 to Launch Later This Year as New Flagship, Replacing A8

Audi’s all-new flagship SUV, the Q9, will officially launch later this year. Positioned above the current Q7, it will become the largest and most luxurious vehicle in Audi’s history. The Q9 will be offered in both six-seat (featuring individual rear seats) and seven-seat configurations, with a strong emphasis on rear-passenger comfort. It indirectly replaces the discontinued A8 luxury sedan and targets the premium executive segment. The Q9 will primarily focus on the U.S., Chinese, Middle Eastern, and UK markets. Built on Volkswagen Group’s extended PPC combustion-engine platform, it is expected to offer multiple powertrain options, with the high-performance SQ9 likely featuring a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. Design-wise, the Q9 sports a larger single-frame grille and an elongated hood. The vehicle will be produced on the same production line as Porsche’s upcoming flagship SUV, codenamed K1, which is slated for launch in 2028.