It’s not the long-rumored “Q9”.
This mysterious Audi Q model, which has been spotted on multiple occasions, is believed to be the new flagship SUV. There have been many theories about it. Some believe it is a Q9 that sits above the Q7 or Q8. Others claim it’s an exclusive offering for China. We believe that this will not be a range-topping SUV, based on the People’s Republic’s forums and websites.
The vehicle will only be sold in the most populous country in the world through Volkswagen’s joint venture partnership with SAIC. The Q5 E-Tron and the L Sedan are other models that have the Four Rings. You can see the latter, which is basically a larger, three-row Q4 ETron twinned to the VW ID.6 in the spy shots below.
Audi’s new luxury SUV is thought to be mechanically similar to the Atlas, also known as Teramont, in China, Russia and other markets. It is therefore based on the MQB platform, rather than the more advanced MLB that underpins the Q7 or Q8. According to reports, the vehicle will be called the Q6. The Q6 Etron, which will be released later in the year, will not have any common names. It will instead sit on a special platform (PPE), co-developed by Porsche.
The MQB platform does not have the largest vehicles, the Atlas, Teramont and Q6. The VW Talagon, which was unveiled in China last year, measures 5,152 millimeters (202.8 in). While the mini Viloranminivan measures 5,346 mm (2210.5 in), The Atlas measures 5,040mm (198.3in) in length.
The three-row layout and engines of the CN-spec Teramont will be inherited by the new model. However, the package is more luxurious to justify the premium. It is expected that the official debut will take place at the 2022 Beijing Auto Show. Sales in China will begin in the second quarter.