Audi prepares for the future: launch of a revised Q7, arrival of a new Q9, and a small electric vehicle by 2026

Have you ever tried to keep up with car enthusiasts today? It has become a real obstacle course among Audi's SUVs, as if the brand had decided to replace the gondolas of Venice with four-wheeled monsters. The good news is that Ingolstadt has some nice surprises in store with a revamped Q7, the arrival of a Q9, and even an electric city car – a trio of models that, hopefully, won't smell too much like diesel.

A steroid-enhanced Q7 and a brand new Q9!

Audi, this giant with rings, is not backing down despite a staggering 11.8% drop in its sales in 2024. Yes, we are talking about a decline as rapid as that of a 911 on a sidewalk. Yet, in a surge of bravery, the brand announces the launch of a new generation of Q7 that retains combustion engines. A true masterstroke to rekindle the flame of V6s and other TDIs, this relic still cherished by purists, especially in Europe.

And right next to it, the brand new Q9 will crown the lineup, a true luxury SUV worthy of the name. If we are to believe the rumors, it will also offer combustion engines. The electric push at every street corner is over – Audi is making a significant U-turn, abandoning the goal of becoming 100% electric by 2033. Could this be a gesture of common sense or just a badly placed roulette shot?

An electric city car to dominate the neighborhood

Small city car enthusiasts, hold on tight! Audi will soon release a small electric city car that slots under the Q4 e-tron. On paper, it looks like an attempt to revive the A2, but with a modern touch, of course. The looming question is whether this little beauty will be able to devour the territory occupied by giants like Volkswagen and even Tesla.

The rumor suggests that Audi will not follow the new design language inaugurated by Concept C, a choice that could give them less chance to attract customers. Will the stolid designs of screens everywhere and oversized lights still ignite enthusiasm? The gamble seems risky. Who knows, nostalgia for authenticity might find satisfaction, much like a good old Porsche 911.

Audi Sport: More power, fewer four-cylinders

The market for Audi's sports models is not lagging behind. The Audi Sport lineup will welcome an RS 5 version with a hybrid V6. The message is clear: four-cylinders are not worthy of Audi RS. The public can expect a sedan and an RS 5 wagon that are likely to steal the hearts of aficionados. But what about the RS 6? It could follow this path with a hybrid V8, a combination that could entice even the most skeptical fans of Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The final question at a price likely to be inflated to the stratosphere: will this operation to keep combustion engines alive be enough to make Audi desirable again? For now, this seems to be a reactive move to the electric wave, a bold split in a context where many players are taking the same direction. But maybe, just maybe, Audi knows how to play its cards right thanks to its experience as a seasoned player in the automotive arena.

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