- The Audi Q9 will be revealed in the second half of this year.
- Deliveries will begin before the end of 2026.
- The three-row luxury SUV will be joined by the next-generation Q7.
European luxury carmakers usually take their time bringing new models to the United States. It can take months, even years, before a product gets a US visa. However, Audi will break with tradition by launching the Q9 in the Land of the Free before a global launch follows in 2027. This is the first time Ingolstadt has launched a new model in the US before any other market. This model itself represents a first for the company, as it has never sold an SUV of this size.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner noted that “a full-size SUV is coming [Q7 and Q9] is critical to our market position in the United States.” The duo will be assembled in Bratislava, Slovakia, where the Volkswagen Group also builds Porsche Cayennes with combustion engines and electric drives. The Q7 and Q9 won’t go the EV route, as both will offer petrol engines and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
The VW Passat and Skoda Superb twins are also built in Slovakia, where VW will end production of the Q7’s sister model, the Touareg. Audi hasn’t said whether the Bratislava-built Q8 will survive into the next generation, but the current model’s lifespan appears to be coming to an end.
Photo by: Motor1.com
Döllner broke the news of the Q9’s first US launch this week while speaking with media following the company’s annual conference. There was a lot to unpack from the event, as the company also teased the return of the A2 and said the Concept C electric sports car will go into production in 2027.
We also know about an A8 successor coming later this decade to replace the aging sedan, which will be discontinued this year. In 2026, the Q7 will transition to its next generation, while the smaller Q4 E-Tron electric crossover is poised for a mid-cycle refresh.
Source: Motor1 Reader
Motorcycle Pickup1: Better late than never, Audi has finally set its sights on the Mercedes GLS and BMW X7. Launching the Q9 first in the US is a logical step considering the local appetite for large SUVs. Despite being a global product, Döllner said the luxury boat “has been developed specifically for the US market.” This suggests it will be much larger than the Q7, with a much more spacious third row but still offering decent cargo space with all the seats in place.
But wait, there’s more. An even more luxurious version is on the way, as Porsche’s flagship SUV, which sits above the Cayenne, will also be produced in Bratislava. Like the Q9, this car will use the VW Group’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) and targets not only the US, but also the Middle East and China. Expect a rich mix of V6 and V8 engines along with plug-in hybrids.
It remains to be seen whether the Q9 will gain traction in Europe, where buyers are generally less interested in large SUVs than in the US. The next generation Q7 is expected to grow compared to the previous model and will meet most customer needs.
