Audi may lean toward electrification more than most other carmakers, but that doesn’t mean it’s giving up on more traditional designs. Moreover, it looks like its conventional, ICE lineup is going to expand soon and that the Inoglstadt-based company is finally about to enter the full-size SUV segment, after so many years of hesitation. Of course, we are talking about the 2024 Audi Q9, a model that is finally about to come to challenge rival brands with their flagship models, read BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
At this point, the company is still trying to keep details a secret but some things about this SUV are quite easy to predict, especially when it comes to the base design, platform, powertrain and similar things. This will be the largest SUV Audi has ever made, and we also count on the most luxurious interior ever, along with the most capable powertrain options.
We believe that the 2024 Audi Q9 could arrive already in the next year.
2024 Audi Q9 Design
As we’ve just mentioned, even though the officials are still quiet about the 2024 Audi Q9, some things are quite easy to predict. That particularly refers to the most basic design characteristics, starting from the platform. And, in this aspect, no surprises are expected. The 2024 Audi Q9 will be based on a familiar MLB architecture, the same one that underpins most Audi models, including mid-size SUVs like Q7 and Q8, which will be Q9’s closest sibling.
Therefore, the new full-size SUV will borrow a lot of parts from smaller counterparts but, as a new flagship, it will also bring a lot of upgrades. One of the aspects that comes to mind is the suspension setup. Namely, the Q7 already features standard air suspension and offers exceptional ride quality, so the new 2024 Audi Q9 would have to bring up something even more advanced and elevate the ride even more.
Exterior
As for the exterior design, the first thing that comes to mind is the size and we presume that the Ingolstadt designers will follow the example of their colleagues from Bavaria and Stuttgart and offer something similarly-sized. That would probably mean somewhere around 122 inches of the wheelbase, but we won’t go into more detail at the moment.
When it comes to styling, Audi is well-known as a company that likes to share the same design solutions between different classes of vehicles, so the 2024 Audi Q9 will certainly borrow some styling details from its smaller siblings, particularly the more modern Q8. Moreover, we presume we could see some influences from the all-electric lineup and e-tron badged models. Finally, we would expect to see a few exclusive details that accentuate the model’s flagship character.
Interior
The same thing is with the interior design, where we expect to see a lot of bits from other Audi models. This particularly refers to the dashboard, as there are various design elements to be shared. But, a good portion of exclusive solutions is also expected, while we also count on more advanced tech and convenience features, something that would be enough to compete with rivals.
Still, the biggest upgrade over the aforementioned mid-size Audi SUVs will be the amount of passenger space. Thanks to the full-size dimensions, this model will be the first Audi to offer a usable third row of seats because, let’s be honest, that third row in the Q7 is just for kids. We also expect to see significant improvements regarding cargo space, because that’s another thing that’s been troubling mid-size Audi models.
2024 Audi Q9 Engines
As for the powertrain, we expect to see a palette of familiar Audi engines, both gas and diesel units, as well as hybrids. Of course, we will start with gas units, with the 3.0-liter turbo V6, which will most likely be the base offer. Upgrades would come in the form of the well-known 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which would come in a couple of variants regarding max output. Naturally, that includes both S and RS models, with the latter featuring more than 600 horsepower. As for the diesel units, we presume such versions would be offered in Europe and a few more markets, with the well-known 3.0-liter TDI unit.
Finally, a couple of hybrid powertrain options are expected too. Audi already has a couple of hybrid systems based on a V6 gasoline engine, including the more powerful that puts out around 455 horsepower. But, the offer probably would end there. We also expect to see something more powerful, maybe the flagship version, which would feature a V8-based hybrid system, maybe the one that powers Cayenne, with a max output of around 700 horsepower.
2024 Audi Q9 Release Date and Price
We believe that the 2024 Audi Q9 could arrive already in the next year. As for the price, we presume it will be similar to rivals, which usually start at between 80 and 85.000 dollars.
