New Audi Q9 Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

If the tide really is turning against excessively large and lavish SUVs into a more socially and environmentally conscious automotive era … nobody told Audi! Enter the Q9, the biggest and most luxurious Audi ever made and one powered by – of all things – a diesel engine. Plenty to chew over, as Audi goes after long-wheelbase Range Rovers, the similarly massive BMW X7 and even the likes of Bentley and other luxury marques.

• The Q9 is Audi’s new flagship model which, as Alex Legouix points out in the video above, is appropriate given it’s “nearly as big as an actual ferry”
• Vast interior offers seating for seven for family drivers or six if you prefer a more executive friendly arrangement with full business class style individual seats
• 299 horsepower diesel engine (yes, you read that right) has only the mildest hybrid boost but gets extra help from an electrically driven turbo
• Lots of screens and tech, as well as the biggest panoramic roof ever seen on an Audi
• On sale now with first deliveries expected in November
• Starting from £103,900

Design and models available

Interior and tech

Well, there’s a lot of interior and a lot of tech! Up front you get the panoramic version of Audi’s MMI display, together with a central touch-screen and additional one for the passenger. There’s also full integration with Chat GPT for those days when you’re driving alone and need someone – or, rather, something – to discuss the weather with. At launch there will be two trim levels available: Edition 1 and Vorsprung. Edition 1 cars will come with luxuries such as adaptive air suspension, all-wheel steering, ventilated Nappa leather front seats with massage function, and heated seats in all three rows.

Audi is also making noise (literally) about its banging 1,400W sound system available on range-topping Vorsprung models. This can send vibrations from the music through the seats for a more immersive experience, something Alex says must be experienced to be believed. Other upgraded tech includes next-level OLED lighting that makes even scrolling indicators look old hat, the system projecting your intended direction changes onto the ground beside the car. Insert joke about this being wasted on Audi drivers who never bother using their indicators right here…

For an additional fee you can opt for the Lounge Pack which provides a six-seat configuration and adds a heated arm rest to the second row. 

Batteries/range or engines

Price and release

What other cars from Audi are due this year?

What other cars that are upcoming will this compete with?