Audi SQ9 Render: Twin-Turbo V8 Flagship SUV Spotted Testing

Audi is quietly shaping a new flagship and the first spy photos of the SQ9 hint at an SUV built to make a statement without shouting. Think of it as the stretched and more imposing sibling to the next SQ7 crafted for drivers who want presence and performance in equal measure. The Human Touch here is simple. This feels like the kind of vehicle you notice once and then keep noticing every time it passes.

Up front the double decker lighting layout stands out. Slim LED daytime running lights and turn signals trace the hood edge while nearly square headlights sit lower in the bumper framing a large grille whose finish will differ by trim. Along the sides the bodywork is smooth and rounded with minimal creases and the door handles sit high along the window line for a clean and modern look. In back the brand’s new taillight signature with those subtle fangs we have seen on the latest A6 family and the compact Q3 adds a technical edge. The license plate recess moves down into the bumper and the SQ9 version wears its own rear bumper with four real exhaust outlets and unique wheel designs.

Under the skin the SQ9 is understood to ride on the Premium Platform Combustion architecture which is an evolution of MLB and MLB Evo engineered for the next wave of large combustion powered Audi models. The headline hardware should be a twin turbocharged four point zero liter V8 gasoline engine with more than six hundred horsepower. Expect quick responses a deep soundtrack and the sort of long legged cruising character that suits a true flagship crossover.

Inside anticipate Audi’s latest interface thinking abundant space compared with the Q7 and materials that lean toward quiet luxury rather than flash. The overall read is of a model positioned above the Q7 in both size and price aimed at buyers who want the top of the Audi SUV ladder without switching brands.

The world premiere is expected next year and the early look tells a consistent story. Confident design serious power and the kind of everyday usability that keeps you reaching for the keys.