Audi reveals new Q9 interior as its largest SUV gets six or seven seats
Audi showed the interior of the new Q9 for the first time. The model will become the brand’s largest and roomiest SUV, with the main focus on a luxurious cabin with three rows of seats, electrically operated doors and a large smart panoramic roof. The full reveal is due in about two months.
Q9 takes Audi into the full size luxury SUV class
The Audi Q9 will sit above the Q7 and Q8 in the range, filling the gap where BMW already has the X7 and Mercedes Benz has the GLS. Audi describes the new model as its first large full size SUV, and makes it clear that the premium feel will come mainly from the cabin experience, not merely from performance figures.
Buyers will be able to order the interior with either six or seven seats. In the version with six seats, the second row gets two separate electrically adjustable chairs. In the version with seven seats, the second row can take three child seats. The third row backrests fold electrically.
Electric doors and a glass roof split into nine sections
The Q9 brings electrically opening and closing doors to Audi for the first time. They can be operated using the key, the myAudi app, the MMI system, the brake pedal or the seatbelt buckle. Sensors monitor nearby obstacles and can stop the door if there is a wall, another car or an approaching cyclist in the way.
The other obvious luxury flourish is a panoramic roof measuring almost 1.5 square metres. The glass is divided into nine separately controlled zones, each of which can switch from transparent to opaque. In the top specification, the roof also gains 84 LEDs and a lighting setup with 30 colours.
Audi keeps the technical details hidden for now
Audi has not yet published the Q9’s dimensions, powertrains or dynamic figures. Even so, the pictures and official information make the model’s direction clear. The Q9 is not arriving as a sporty niche SUV, but as a flagship built around comfort, space and a more ceremonial cabin experience.
For Audi, this is a late but logical move. Its rivals already hold their ground in the full size luxury SUV class. The Q9 therefore has to convince not only existing Audi customers, but also buyers who would otherwise choose a BMW X7, a Mercedes Benz GLS or one of the large American luxury SUVs.
