Audi’s Q9 is a petrol V8 for America as its EV bet stalls

Audi spent years betting its future on electric cars. Its new flagship for America runs on a V8, with big cupholders and a ChatGPT assistant.

The German brand unveiled the Q9 this week. It is a full-size three-row luxury SUV built, in Audi’s own words, for the US market. It starts at about $89,000, with the sportier SQ9 near $119,000, CNBC reported. Both arrive later this year.

Designed for American tastes

Audi is not being subtle about the target. Product chief Filip Brabec said Audi built the Q9 for the US buyer, down to the engines and the large cupholders. SUVs are now more than 80% of the premium market. This is Audi’s pitch at the biggest, most profitable end.

The tech is the garnish. The Q9 gets a ChatGPT voice assistant and a hands-free driver-assist system. Its matrix LED headlights dim to avoid dazzling other drivers, and it even projects turn signals onto the road. Under the bonnet, though, it is resolutely combustion, on Volkswagen’s new petrol-first platform.