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Audi has a new flagship designed with the US in mind: The 2027 Q9
Audi has unveiled the 2027 Q9, its new range-topping SUV, aimed squarely at the large-SUV segment popularised in the US by vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade. Unlike the smaller Q7, which remains a Europe-focused model, the Q9 becomes Audi's de facto flagship, as there are currently no firm plans to replace the A8 saloon.
The Q9 measures 209 inches long, 79.2 inches wide and 71.4 inches tall, with a 123.5-inch wheelbase that is 5.6 inches longer than the Q7's, providing more usable third-row space. It shares Volkswagen Group's new Premium Platform Combustion architecture with the Q7 and new A5 and Q5, launching with a 2.9-litre V6, while a performance SQ9 variant uses the twin-turbo V8 found in some RS6 and RS7 models. Notable features include Audi's active-matrix LED headlights arriving in the US for the first time, new road-projecting turn signals, and an interior offering both an olive open-grain wood trim and a carbon-accented SQ9 option. The Q9 is due to arrive in the US in the last quarter of the year.
In short
- Audi launches the Q9, its new full-size flagship SUV for 2027
- Built for the US market, rivalling the Cadillac Escalade-sized segment
- Arrives Q4 this year with V6 power and a V8 SQ9 variant
Explained simply
Audi has introduced the Q9, a new large sport-utility vehicle designed specifically for the US market. The move reflects the popularity of oversized SUVs in the United States, where models like the Cadillac Escalade appeal to buyers seeking spacious, premium vehicles. The Q9 becomes Audi's flagship model, as the company has no plans to replace its A8 saloon, signalling a shift in the luxury car industry from traditional saloons towards larger utility vehicles.
The Q9 is considerably larger than Audi's existing Q7 model, with a longer wheelbase providing additional space, particularly for passengers in the third row of seats. The vehicle will launch with a 2.9-litre six-cylinder engine, alongside a high-performance SQ9 variant featuring a twin-turbocharged V8. It brings Audi's advanced LED headlighting technology to the US market for the first time and includes luxury interior design options, arriving in showrooms in the final quarter of the year.
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