MUNICH—Later this summer, Audi will unveil its new flagship model. In the past, that role was filled by the A8, but that was before SUVs got so much support; Even in Europe, most car buyers now turn to this. But forget Europe for a moment. The new Q9 is Audi’s first full-size SUV, underscoring its importance to the North American market. Late in development, the company also redesigned the cupholders to fit those giant insulated mugs that became a retail obsession for a short time.
We can only see this exterior-camouflaged Q9 right now, but the photos show the production interior. Or at least it’s one of the possible trims; If you want the interior to have more of an Endor or Tatooine feel rather than Mustafar, there are beige and brown options available, including an interesting open-grain olive wood alternative to the thick carbon fiber you see here. The mix of different textures really helps to elevate the interior of the Q9, which ditches glossy finishes in favor of matte wherever possible.
The front view was inspired by the way the brand’s 2021 Grandsphere concept wrapped its dash around the front seat occupants. GrandSphere didn’t really have to rely on available technology, and the future it envisioned didn’t have a screen at all. The Q9 doesn’t have that luxury, but it has acres of digital real estate. The main instrument display and infotainment screen turn around the driver, but they’re not particularly high, so you get a clear view of the interaction light under the hood that runs along the base of the windshield and provides an additional visual cue when you use your turn signals or hazard lights.
Audi designer Chris Coyle explained, “When you turn the car off… what we wanted to create is it’s kind of calming you down and giving you this kind of luxury approach that everything is controlled, everything is floating, everything is quiet and everything is in its place.”
Here’s the Q9 from the driver’s seat.
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Here’s the Q9 from the driver’s seat.
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This door card rivals the excellent Lexus LC in how interesting it is to touch.
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audi
There are two wireless chargers, as well as a 100 W USB-C port. There are more USB-C ports available for the second and third rows.
audi
There are two wireless chargers, as well as a 100 W USB-C port. There are more USB-C ports available for the second and third rows.
audi
audi
There are two wireless chargers, as well as a 100 W USB-C port. There are more USB-C ports available for the second and third rows.
audi
Virtual cockpit has found its charm again
I’m glad to see that the dynamic map view is once again an option for the main device display. Audi pioneered this feature with its Virtual Cockpit, but it’s surprisingly missing from many of the recent models we’ve driven. Then again, it’s also present in the new Q3, which is at the very other end of Audi’s SUV range. Q3 and Q9 also share the same knobs that you use to turn turn signals and wipers (on the left) and engage park/drive/reverse (on the right). The action of using them to flick on wipers or lights is basically the same as a traditional stalk.
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