Audi Q9 Tipped To Take On Range Rover

Audi’s still in the process of rolling out its new Q8 flagship crossover. But already word has it that an even more upscale Q9 could be in the works.

The report from Autocar draws on only cryptic hints from company officials as to the prospect of a Q9 potentially emerging. “Time will tell,” said (now jailed) Audi CEO Rupert Stadler in response to the question. “We have so many ideas,” added design chief Marc Lichte. Hardly confirmation, but not denial, either.

The British publication says that such a vehicle could be just what the manufacturer needs to go after the flagship Range Rover. That’s the territory which sister brand Bentley is going after with the Bentayga. But the crossover from Crewe is more expensive than the Range Rover. And besides, the Volkswagen Group has never been one to shy away from tackling the same market with multiple offerings from its various brands.

Ingolstadt first got into the crossover business with the launch of the Q7 in 2005. In the years since, it’s been filling out its high-riding lineup with smaller and less expensive models – like the Q2, Q3, and Q5. But the Q8 has taken it further up-market, and the Q9 would propel it even further.

Its emergence would reflect the industry as a whole which has seen more automakers getting into the SUV market and pushing it into ever more expensive territory. In recent years manufacturers like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, and Maserati have all launched high-end crossovers for the first time. And soon Aston Martin and Ferrari will follow with performance crossovers of their own. Mercedes has been toying with the idea of a Maybach crossover as well, and the Q9 could be just what Audi needs to get in on the upscale high-riding action.