Audi unveiled the Q9, its largest and most expensive SUV to date, positioning it as the new flagship of the brand's portfolio. The full-size SUV will be available to order in Germany from the end of July 2026, with deliveries expected to begin in the fourth quarter (November). Prices start at €108,400 for the entry-level Q9 TDI 220 kW variant.Also read: Audi must work with Volkswagen to realign business, says CFOAudi CEO Gernot Döllner said the Q9 represents the brand's new flagship, with premium materials, individual electric seats in the second row and automatic doors underscoring the company's focus on interior quality, combined with driver assist systems and an overall in-car experience.Dimensions and designThe Q9 measures 5.31 metres in length, 2.21 metres in width and 1.81 metres in height, with a wheelbase of 3.14 metres, making it the largest Audi built to date.It is offered in two exterior lines: the standard advanced line, which features vertical slats in the Singleframe grille, and the sportier S line, which has an open Singleframe design without slats, a more pronounced lower front section and a larger rear spoiler. Alloy wheel sizes range from 20 to 23 inches, and 22- and 23-inch tyres come with acoustic foam inserts to cut road noise.Seating and interiorThe Q9 seats seven as standard, with a six-seat configuration offered as an option. All seats are electrically adjustable, and the two individual seats in the second row are power-adjustable with an optional heating function. In the seven-seat layout, the second row uses a 35/30/35 split with Isofix child-seat mounting points on all three positions.Sports seats come as standard, with ventilation available as an option and heating, ventilation and massage functions offered on the sports seats plus.ET OnlineAudi Q9 - Features Automatic doors, a first for Audi, are fitted to increase convenience when entering and exiting the vehicle. An obstacle-detection system stops a door if it cannot open fully, and an electric soft-close feature shuts the doors gently. The doors can be operated from multiple points inside the cabin and remotely through the myAudi app.Panoramic sunroofThe Q9 comes with the largest panoramic sunroof fitted to an Audi as standard, with a glass surface of more than 1.5 square metres. Switchable transparency, split into nine individually controllable segments, is available as an option, along with roof illumination in the top trim level that can display one of 30 colours synced to the ambient lighting.According to Audi, the illuminated version of the sunroof will not be available at the start of presales.Lighting technologyThe Q9 introduces third-generation digital OLED rear lights with curved digital OLED panels, which Audi describes as a world first for a production vehicle. The outer panel, made using 0.1 mm-thick glass, is curved in three dimensions and is stated to be the largest OLED panel fitted in an Audi, with 99 segments; the centre and inner panels carry 84 and 73 segments respectively, for a total of 512 segments across six panels.The Q9 also gets advanced turn signals that project a stylised turn signal onto the road, a communication light that displays a hazard-triangle signature to warn other road users of accidents or breakdowns, and a projection light that casts a rhombus-shaped welcome graphic beneath the doors. Forward lighting is handled by digital Matrix LED headlights with a micro-LED module.PowertrainAt launch, the Q9 will be offered in Germany with a three-litre V6 diesel engine producing 220 kW (299 PS) and 630 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission and permanent quattro all-wheel drive. A lower-output 180 kW (245 PS) variant with 500 Nm will be available in selected European markets.Also read: Audi India to hike prices by up to 2% from April 1Both versions use an MHEV plus mild-hybrid system, comprising a powertrain generator, belt alternator starter and a lithium iron phosphate battery, which adds up to 18 kW (24 PS) of additional power. The V6 diesel also features an electric-powered compressor with 7.5 kW peak power for improved throttle response.Official fuel consumption for the Q9 TDI 220 kW is rated at 8.0–7.4 litres/100 km, with combined CO2 emissions of 209–194 g/km, placing it in CO2 class G.Suspension and brakingThe Q9 gets adaptive air suspension as standard, with an adjustable ride height range of 90 mm, and all-wheel steering that can turn the rear wheels by up to 5 degrees. An optional adaptive air suspension sport variant with controlled damping is also available. Braking is handled by an integrated brake control system with 400 mm front and 350 mm rear ventilated discs and six-piston fixed callipers.Driver assistanceThe SUV comes equipped with a suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, park assist, trailer manoeuvring assist, trailer stability control and integrated trailer brake control. An exit warning system uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect approaching vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians and can prevent doors from opening if a collision risk is detected.ET OnlineAudi Q9 - Specs Audi has also introduced a new emergency assist function that can steer the Q9 to the road shoulder and bring it to a stop if the driver becomes unresponsive. Adaptive driving assistant plus enables hands-free, partially automated driving at speeds of up to 130 km/h on approved highway and Autobahn stretches, classified as SAE Level 2.This feature will be available at launch in Germany, the United States and Canada, with other markets to follow. The system monitors driver attention via a steering-column-mounted camera and issues escalating visual, audible and haptic warnings if attention lapses.InfotainmentThe Q9's MMI panoramic display combines a 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit with a 14.5-inch MMI touch display, alongside a 12.3-inch passenger display fitted as standard. The infotainment system runs on Android Automotive OS and includes access to the Audi Application Store for third-party apps.The Audi assistant voice system has been enhanced and is integrated with ChatGPT, which is used to answer general queries the in-house system cannot handle. Sound comes from an updated Bang & Olufsen system with 22 speakers, including four headrest speakers, and a total output of 1,360 watts.Manufacturing and pricingThe Audi Q9 is manufactured in Bratislava, Slovakia. It will be available to order in Germany from the end of July 2026, with deliveries starting in November 2026. The entry-level Q9 TDI 220 kW is priced at €108,400.