Audi Q9 unveiled as brand's largest SUV yet with three-row seating, V6 diesel and world-first OLED lighting

Audi has revealed the all-new Q9, its biggest and most luxurious SUV yet, featuring three-row seating, a mild-hybrid V6 diesel engine, world-first curved OLED tail-lights and a host of premium comfort technologies.Audi has unveiled the all-new Q9, its largest and most luxurious SUV to date, marking the debut of a new flagship positioned above the Q7 and Q8. The three-row full-size SUV introduces several firsts for the German marque, including curved digital OLED rear lights, automatic power doors and Audi's largest panoramic sunroof ever.Measuring 5.31 metres in length with a 3.14-metre wheelbase, the Audi Q9 has been designed to offer maximum interior space while reinforcing the brand's premium positioning. The SUV comes with seven seats as standard, while buyers can also opt for a six-seat configuration featuring individual electrically adjustable captain seats in the second row for a more business-class experience.The cabin receives several luxury-focused upgrades. Front occupants get heated, ventilated and massage seats, while all seats across the three rows are electrically adjustable. Audi has also introduced power-operated doors for the first time, complete with obstacle detection and soft-close functionality, allowing them to be operated remotely through the myAudi app.One of the standout features is the panoramic sunroof spanning more than 1.5 square metres, making it the largest ever fitted to an Audi. An illuminated version with switchable transparency will be introduced later, allowing occupants to adjust the glass opacity while ambient lighting extends into the roof itself. World-first lighting technologyAudi says the Q9 introduces the world's first third-generation curved digital OLED rear lights. Built using ultra-thin curved glass, the new lighting system is designed to improve visibility while opening up new design possibilities. The SUV also debuts advanced turn signals that project directional arrows onto the road surface at night, while Digital Matrix LED headlights with micro-LED technology provide adaptive lighting and pedestrian highlighting functions.Technology-rich interiorInside, the Q9 features Audi's latest infotainment setup consisting of an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch curved touchscreen and a standard 12.3-inch passenger display with dynamic privacy mode. The system runs Android Automotive OS and includes access to the Audi App Store, while the integrated Audi Assistant now incorporates ChatGPT for natural voice interactions and information retrieval. Audi has also equipped the SUV with a 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen 4D sound system producing 1,360 watts, complemented by headrest speakers and seat-mounted actuators that allow occupants to physically feel low-frequency sound.V6 diesel with mild-hybrid assistanceAt launch, the Audi Q9 will be offered with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine producing 299 PS and 630 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with Audi's latest MHEV Plus mild-hybrid technology, which can contribute an additional 24 PS and up to 370 Nm during acceleration. Power is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and the brand's quattro all-wheel-drive system.The flagship SUV also comes standard with adaptive air suspension offering up to 90 mm of height adjustment, along with all-wheel steering to improve manoeuvrability at low speeds and stability on highways. Seven selectable drive modes allow drivers to tailor the vehicle's character depending on driving conditions.Comprehensive safety suiteAudi has equipped the Q9 with an extensive package of driver assistance technologies, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, trailer assist, exit warning, emergency assist capable of bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop, and a 360-degree camera system. Several of these systems are integrated with the vehicle's advanced lighting functions to improve visibility and safety.The Audi Q9 will be built in Bratislava and will enter the UK market later this year. Orders are scheduled to open at the end of August 2026, with prices expected to be announced closer to launch.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine - EndsPublished On: Jul 29, 2026 11:31 IST