The A8 has been Audi’s flagship sedan offering ever since it debuted back in 1994. However, the German luxury carmaker is now planning to replace it with an all-new SUV as the brand's next pinnacle model, as per Autocar UK. Aimed primarily at markets like the US, Middle East and China, the upcoming Audi Q9 is primed to make its global debut in the latter part of 2026.
- The replacement flagship will be larger than the Q7
- Could be based on the Premium Platform Combustion platform
Why would Audi replace the A8?
The luxury car market has been steadily moving towards SUVs
Audi sold 20,442 units of the A8 worldwide in 2023; over the same period, the Q8 SUV sold 47,002 units. Despite being one of the German marque’s most important markets, the US managed a mere 1,406 units of the A8 in 2025, as opposed to 10,881 units of the Q8. While these two statements showcase different timelines, the trend clearly indicates that luxury car buyers are preferring SUVs over sedans. Even though Audi displays the A8 on its website across many markets globally, production of the luxury limousine has stopped, Autocar UK stated.
What is the Audi Q9?
The new SUV is likely to be available with a variety of powertrain options
Spy shots of camouflaged test mules have indicated the Audi Q9 featuring the brand’s Single Frame front grille, along with bumper-integrated headlights, eyebrow-style LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and flush door handles. The Q9 will be larger than the Q7, which for reference, is a little over 5 metres long and 1.9 metres wide.
According to Autocar UK, the new Q9 will be able to accommodate either 7 occupants with a bench-type second row or 6 occupants with individual captain seats in the middle. It is this second row that will be high priority if the Q9 is to successfully replace the A8 as Audi’s next flagship model. Some of the expected creature comforts would be a panoramic sunroof, multi-zone climate control, heated & ventilated seats with possible massage functions, wireless smartphone connectivity and advanced driver assistance systems.
The Audi Q9 could be based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) platform, which already underpins the recently revealed new-gen A6L. Similarly, the powertrain options for the Q9 are likely to include turbo-petrol engines with mild-hybrid assistance, and in some markets, plug-in hybrid could be made available too. The range-topping SQ9, meanwhile, could be powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, said Autocar UK. The Q9 is also expected to spawn a Porsche equivalent (codenamed 'K1'), which will also be built at the same facility in Slovakia.
Speaking to Autocar UK, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said, "The Audi Q9 will be the new flagship of the Audi portfolio. This is a particularly important model for the US."
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