The Next BMW X7 Will Battle A New Rival: Audi Q9

After years on the sidelines, Audi is lastly making ready to enter the full-size luxurious SUV phase. The primary-ever Q9 is one thing of a late bloomer, contemplating Mercedes has been promoting the GL-Class (later GLS) since 2006. BMW adopted in 2018 with the X7. The phase is particularly aggressive in North America, the place patrons may select a Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and others.

Information of the Q9 was confirmed this week by Audi’s improvement chief, Geoffrey Bouquot, in an interview with Automobilwoche. Whereas he didn’t disclose specifics, we now have it on good authority that the luxobarge shall be provided completely with combustion engines. In contrast, the following BMW X7 (“G67”), due in 2027, may even spawn an electrical iX7. That received’t be the case for Ingolstadt’s largest SUV.

The yr 2026 shall be a busy one for Audi, with the next-generation Q7 additionally scheduled to debut. BMW is doing the identical with the brand new X5 (“G65”), which can acquire an electrical variant dubbed iX5. Audi’s revamped Q7 will share its platform with big-brother Q9, an structure that doesn’t assist EVs.

Audi has already axed the Q8 E-Tron lineup as a result of weak demand, leaving BMW’s iX5, iX7, and iX with out direct competitors from Ingolstadt within the electrical house. In the meantime, Bavaria is about to broaden its presence within the phase with an ALPINA model of the following X7, obtainable with each combustion and electrical drivetrains. That mannequin is rumored to hold a separate codename, “G69” as an alternative of “G67,” doubtlessly signaling better differentiation.

Though Audi as soon as pledged to go totally electrical by 2032, the model has since walked again that bold goal. Launching the Q7 and Q9 with combustion engines makes it clear that ICE fashions will stay properly into the following decade. We wouldn’t be shocking if conventional drivetrains persist into the 2040s. BMW has lengthy argued that patrons shouldn’t be compelled into EVs, standing by its “Energy of Selection” technique.

That mentioned, the Neue Klasse will considerably speed up BMW’s electrification push. As soon as the lineup is totally rolled out, Bavaria may have extra EVs on supply than Audi, however not on the expense of combustion engines. Gasoline and even diesel automobiles will stay a part of the portfolio for the foreseeable future. The truth is, the following X5 has already been confirmed with diesel energy, and the X7 is predicted to comply with go well with.

Supply: Automobilwoche (subscription required)