Audi has officially presented the ansa.it, marking the first time the manufacturer has used the Q9 designation for the pinnacle of its SUV lineup, as reported by Alvolante. Built at the production plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, the mastodontic vehicle measures 5.31 meters in length, 2.21 meters in width, and 1.81 meters in height, featuring a wheelbase of 3.14 meters. According to manufacturer admissions noted by Alvolante, the primary target market for the new flagship is the United States, placing it in competition with rivals such as the Mercedes GLS and BMW X7.
Audi Unveils New Q9 Flagship SUV Ahead of 2026 Launch
The future of Vorsprung durch Technik will be increasingly defined by onboard experience, with cars evolving into mobile living spaces, said Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG, as detailed by ANSA. Audi Q9 interprets this new dimension through high-quality materials, innovative technologies, and a high level of dynamism.
Interior Space, Comfort, and Seating Configurations
The interior is engineered as a high-level travel space, offering standard seating for seven passengers across three electrically adjustable rows, or a six-seater executive arrangement featuring two individual electric business-class armchairs in the second row, as noted by auto.it. The cabin incorporates premium materials including Nappa leather, alpaca wool, natural ash inserts, and carbon fiber. Furthermore, the vehicle introduces automatic doors with obstacle detection and soft-close functionality.
The panoramic glass roof spans over 1.5 square meters—noted as the largest in Audi history—and includes an optional electronic transparency adjustment divided into nine independent segments. In its richest configuration, the roof features 84 LEDs capable of reproducing up to 30 distinct color tones coordinated with the interior ambient lighting. Audio performance is driven by a 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen 4D sound system delivering 1,360 watts of total power, complete with transducers in the front seats.
Advanced Digital Architecture and Technology
The cockpit features the Audi Digital Stage, which incorporates three main displays: a 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster, a central 14.5-inch OLED infotainment touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch front passenger display. The system runs on Android Automotive OS with integration for the Audi Application Store and an advanced voice assistant featuring ChatGPT capabilities. Under the skin, the SUV utilizes the E3 1.2 electronic architecture and the PPC thermal premium platform, paired with permanent quattro all-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension, and standard all-wheel steering.
Exterior illumination includes digital Matrix LED headlights with micro-LED technology and curved OLED 3.0 rear lights capable of projecting directional arrows onto the asphalt during night turns or lane changes, alongside communication lights signaling hazards.
Powertrain Options, Safety Equipment, and Market Launch
At launch, the engine lineup consists of a 3.0-liter V6 TDI mild-hybrid (MHEV plus) dual-turbocharged diesel engine featuring a 48-volt system and a powertrain generator providing up to 24 additional horsepower. It will be available in 299 CV and 245 CV output versions, with plug-in hybrid motorizations scheduled to arrive at a later stage. Safety systems include automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, blind-spot monitoring, fully automated parking assistance, a trailer maneuvering system, an adaptive driving assistant, and emergency assist.
Audi Q9 is scheduled to arrive at Italian dealerships during the fourth quarter of 2026. The price list will start at 116,900 euros for the 3.0 TDI quattro 245 CV version and 119,600 euros for the 299 CV variant.
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