After years on the side, Audi is finally preparing to enter the luxury SUV segment in full size. The first Q9 is a late bloomer when you consider that Mercedes has sold the GL class (later GLS) since 2006. BMW followed in 2018 with the X7. The segment is particularly competitive in North America, where buyers can also select a Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and others.
The news of Q9 was confirmed this week in an interview with the development chief of Audi, Geoffrey Bouquot, Automotive week. Although he has not disclosed details, we have good authority that the Luxobarge is only offered with internal combustion engines. In contrast, the next BMW X7 (“G67”), due in 2027, will also produce an electric IX7. This is not the case with Ingolstadt’s largest SUV.
The year 2026 will be busy for Audi, although the next generation Q7 is also supposed to debut. BMW does the same with the new X5 (“G65”), which receives an electrical variant IX5. The revised Q7 from Audi will share its platform with Big-Brother Q9, an architecture that EVS does not support.
Audi has already reported the Q8 e-tron list due to the weak demand and left BMWS IX5, IX7 and IX without direct competition between Ingolstadt in the electrical area. In the meantime, Bavaria will expand its presence in the segment with an Alpina version of the next X7, which is available with both combustion and electrical drive drive. This model is intended to wear a separate code name “G69” instead of “G67”, which may signal a higher differentiation.
Although Audi was obliged to become completely electrical by 2032, the brand has decreased since this ambitious goal. By starting the Q7 and Q9 with burning engines, it becomes clear that ice models remain until the next decade. We would not be surprising if traditional applications exist in the 2040s. BMW has long argued that buyers should not be forced in EVS and was based on his strategy “power of choice”.
Nevertheless, the new class will significantly speed up the BMW electrification display. As soon as the line -up is fully introduced, Bayern will have more EVS than Audi, but not at the expense of combustion engines. Petrol and even diesel cars will remain part of the portfolio for the foreseeable future. In fact, the next X5 has already been confirmed with diesel performance, and the X7 is expected to follow the example.
Source: automotive week (subscription required)
