► The Q9 interior, from screens to sound
► Set to be the brand’s flagship model
► It can even protect cyclists
The interior of the new Audi Q9 SUV has been revealed ahead of its full summer launch a couple of months away.
The Q9 is set to sit above the Q7 SUV the largest, most luxurious appointment from Ingolstadt, effectively replacing the long-standing A8 limousine, which was quietly pulled from the market. The Q9 is set to rival top-tier, decadent luxury liners such as the full-size Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7.
More screens, sir?
The Audi Q9 interior carries over an evolution of the brand’s MMI panoramic display similar to what we’ve seen in current Audi models including the Q5, A5, and A6. As ever, facing the driver in the Q9 is a digital 11.9 inch virtual cockpit teamed with the 14.5 inch centre infotainment screen tilted slightly towards the hot seat. But don’t think your co-pilot is missing out because there’s another 10.9 inch touchscreen facing the front passenger, too with a lot of the same displays.
As for the climate controls, while they don’t get their own buttons, they sit permanently at the bottom of the centre display, no matter what menu you’re in. Like other Audis, the Q9 also gets the stalk-operated gear selector on the right and multi-function stalk on the left.
As for the panoramic sunroof, it’s a 1.5 square metre panel which claims to block out more than 99.5 per cent of UV radiation and automatically resets to opaque mode when parked up. Memory settings return the level of light to its most recent setting after starting up again. In the top trim, there’s even 84 LEDs which match the colour of the ambient lighting.
As seen in other Audis, the MMI is accompanied by a set of LED ambient lights which run as a strip throughout the cabin. There is also what Audi call the dynamic interaction light (IAL) integrated within the ambient lights which, teamed with the top-spec ‘4D’ Bang and Olufsen sound system, can sync with the rhythm of the music and can even match the colour of the track’s cover art.
Actuators in the seats and headrest speakers also enhance the Q9 as being your own personal concert room. So, if your playlist has a lot of Led Zeppelin or Van Halen, prepare for a ride.
So far, it seems like not an awful lot is new. But hang on, the screens aren’t the most bizarre electrical feature of the Q9; that would be the doors.
The Q9 can protect vulnerable road users – and its paint
Instead of, say, a handle, the doors of the Q9 can be opened by the push of a button, the myAudi app, the infotainment screen, the seatbelt buckle, or even the brake pedal.
There are sensors throughout each of the doors which scan the Q9’s surroundings when you’re parked up. If you open the door and it detects a cyclist – or if there’s not enough room to open any wider – it will simply refuse to open any further.
The same feature deploys if the sensors scan closely-parked cars, walls or other obstacles next to your space. Quite simply, it can make parking in tight gaps a little less nerve-wracking when getting in or out – thus protecting the paint.
And you’ll want to protect the bodywork as the Q9 is expected to start from between £90,000 to £100,000 before options. Being a Range Rover competitor, it was always going to command top dollar.
What about practicality?
The Q9 will be available with either six or seven seats, with the second row offered in either a two or three-seat layout. If you opt for the latter, all three seats in the second row can fit child seats, making family life easier. As ever, the third row can be lowered for extra boot space and even comes with cup holders for added family friendliness.
The actual size of the boot is yet to be announced, but it should be competitive against the BMW and Mercedes rivals. Electronic controls to drop the seats can also be found in the boot as well as a 12v socket.
What about engines?
Final powertrain options haven’t been confirmed, but we’re expecting all of them to be mated with Audi’s Quattro system with a variant of the brand’s 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8 set to be the flagship heart of the Q9 – most likely to be named the SQ9.
Throughout the range, we expect plenty of mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains mated to the the existing 3.0 litre twin-turbocharged V6.
While the Q9 will be offered in the UK, our insider intel suggests Audi has geared the Q9 more for the North American market and doesn’t expect it to be a huge seller in Europe. It’s a huge task taking on the Range Rover as well as Cadillac Escalades and Lincoln Navigators, but it’s one that Ingolstadt is clearly prepared to take.
