This positively gargantuan Q9 SUV replaces the outgoing A8 sedan as the flagship of the Audi lineup.
When Audi first introduced the Q7 back in the early 2000s, one of the biggest talking points back then was its sheer size. But for those who thought even that was not quite big enough, the four-ringed automaker now has an answer in the form of its new gargantuan Q9.
Sitting above the Q7 at the top of Audi’s SUV range and aimed squarely at the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, the massive Q9 stretches a whopping 5,310 mm from nose to tail, measures 2,210 mm wide and rides on a substantial 3,140 mm wheelbase. Compared to its “smaller” sibling, it is 250 mm longer, 200 mm wider and gains an extra 145 mm between the axles.
And for what it is worth, Its sheer size is further emphasised by the way it looks too. Up front sits a suitably enormous octagonal grille flanked by Digital Matrix LED headlights, while its upright profile can be filled by alloy wheels ranging from 21 to 23 inches in diameter. Around the rear meanwhile, the Q9 features the world’s first curved digital OLED taillights, adding a suitably high-tech flourish to its towering proportions.
Open its electrically operated doors — which incidentally can swing out to an impressive 90 degrees — and the big numbers continue with Audi’s largest panoramic sunroof yet, featuring more than 1.5 square metres of glass. This is complemented by a banging 1,360-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system featuring 22 speakers, with seat actuators that physically pulse in time with the music.
Seven seats come as standard in the Q9, though buyers can instead opt for a six-seat layout that replaces the second-row bench with a pair of electrically adjustable captain’s chairs. Given its suitably generous exterior dimensions, Audi claims even adults will be comfortable in the third row.
Up front meanwhile is Audi’s latest MMI panoramic display setup, comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen running Android Automotive OS. Buyers can also specify an additional passenger display.
Now when it comes to powering this beast, Europe launches with a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid straight-six diesel producing 299 PS and 630 Nm, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Across the Atlantic, US buyers instead receive a 2.9-litre turbocharged petrol V6 producing 435 PS, enough to dispatch the 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.9 seconds.
Those wanting even more performance can step up to the SQ9, which borrows the outgoing RS6 Avant’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. Producing 599 PS and paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, Audi claims it can propel this sizeable SUV from 0-100 km/h in under four seconds before reaching the usual Germanic electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Adaptive air suspension comes as standard across the range, employing a five-link suspension setup front and rear with continuously variable damping and adjustable ride height. Rear-wheel steering is also fitted, providing up to five degrees of steering angle and helping the Q9 achieve a relatively tidy 13.3-metre turning circle despite its imposing dimensions.
Manufactured in Bratislava, Slovakia, the Audi Q9 is now available to order in Europe, with prices starting from €108,400 (RM 505,000) for the 299 PS diesel variant. There is currently no word on whether it will make its way to Malaysia, though should it arrive here, this tower block on wheels will certainly be impossible to miss.
