In 2021, there were some early glimpses of what looked like a new, larger SUV from a well-known German carmaker. These initial glimpses, captured by photographers specializing in uncovering secret car projects, hinted at what was thought to be the beginnings of the Audi Q9. As the year progressed, more images emerged, showing the vehicle's design transitioning from a Volkswagen Atlas disguise to a design that was unmistakably Audi. Audi reportedly informed its American dealerships in 2022 to anticipate the arrival of the Q9, though the vehicle then seemed to vanish from the public eye until resurfacing earlier this month. Recent reports, including one from Australia, confirm that the Audi Q9 is indeed in development.
This upcoming three-row SUV is expected to share the MLB Evo platform, a foundation used by several vehicles within the Audi lineup such as the Q7 and Q8, as well as by other vehicles within the Volkswagen Group like the VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, and Bentley Bentayga. The Q9 is anticipated to be a larger and more spacious version of the Q8 rather than the Q7, distinguished by a more upright roofline and a boxier rear, setting it apart from the sleeker Q7. In terms of size, competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7 measure around 203 inches in length, with the Q8 and Q7 being slightly shorter.
Audi's track record of offering high-performance versions of its larger SUVs suggests that a sportier SQ9, and possibly even an RS Q9 to compete with the likes of the AMG GLS and XM, could be in the works.
The introduction of a market-ready Q9 is intriguing, especially considering Audi has held the trademark for the name for over a decade, and its competitors, the GLS and X7, have proven to be quite successful in this segment. Despite a dip in sales for the GLS in the U.S. last year, with its lowest sales figure since 2009 at 15,340 units, it generally sells well above 24,000 units annually. The BMW X7, a newer model, also saw a decrease in U.S. sales last year but has been quite popular, with sales figures typically in the higher range. The financial significance of these vehicles is not to be underestimated, given the substantial profit margins they command in the market.
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