Audi Q9 Launches In Europe With Diesel, More Engines Coming

Key Takeaways

• Audi’s Q9 SUV launches in Europe with a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine featuring a mild-hybrid setup.
• Two additional powertrains, a gasoline V6 and a plug-in hybrid, will be added next year.
• The V8-powered SQ9 is under consideration for the European market.
• Audi is prioritizing the diesel engine, despite its decline in popularity in Europe.
• The Q9 becomes the de facto flagship for Audi, with a new range-topper scheduled to arrive near the end of the decade.

What’s Behind Audi’s Decision to Launch the Q9 with a Diesel?

Audi’s decision to launch the Q9 with a diesel engine may seem counterintuitive, given the engine’s decline in popularity in Europe. However, the company must have done its homework and knows what customers want. The V6 TDI remains an important pillar for the brand, as multiple models across the lineup use it.

In fact, diesel engines are dying an agonizing death in Europe, with their share in new-car sales plummeting to just 6.5 percent in the first half of the year. Stricter emissions regulations may be accelerating the demise of diesel engines in Europe.

Will the Q9 Get More Engine Options in the Future?

Audi has confirmed that two additional powertrains, a gasoline V6 and a plug-in hybrid, will be added to the Q9 lineup next year. This move is likely to appeal to customers who prefer alternative engine options.

Furthermore, the V8-powered SQ9 is officially under consideration for the European market. This would give Audi a high-performance version to rival the BMW X7 M60i and the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 S.

How Does the Q9 Fit into Audi’s Lineup?

The Q9 becomes the de facto flagship for Audi, with the A8 about to go out of production. Although Audi has said a new range-topper is scheduled to arrive near the end of the decade, the company’s lineup is in the midst of a reshuffle.

Audi has axed the A1 and Q2, launched the Q7 and Q9, and brought back the A2 this year as an entry-level EV. The future looks uncertain for a new model to sit above the supersized SUV.

What’s the Future of Diesel Engines in Europe?

By 2035, automakers must slash their CO2 emissions by 90 percent compared with 2021 levels. While this is not an ICE ban, it’s likely that most combustion-engine cars will not survive past the middle of the next decade.

Instead, hybrids are likely to become more popular, and diesel engines will continue to decline in popularity. Audi’s decision to launch the Q9 with a diesel engine may be a last-ditch effort to keep the engine relevant in the European market.

Motor1’s Take

It may seem counterintuitive to launch the Q9 with a diesel when the engine is fading out in Europe, but Audi must have done its homework and knows what customers want. Against all odds, the V6 TDI remains an important pillar for the brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What engine options will the Audi Q9 have in Europe?

The Audi Q9 will launch with a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine featuring a mild-hybrid setup. Two additional powertrains, a gasoline V6 and a plug-in hybrid, will be added next year.

Q: Is the V8-powered SQ9 coming to Europe?

The V8-powered SQ9 is officially under consideration for the European market.

Q: What’s the future of diesel engines in Europe?

By 2035, automakers must slash their CO2 emissions by 90 percent compared with 2021 levels. Diesel engines will likely continue to decline in popularity, and hybrids will become more popular.