Audi of America faced a challenging year, struggling to maintain its footing in the competitive luxury automotive market. Sales dipped by 14% in 2024, totaling fewer than 197,000 units, just narrowly surpassing Volvo.

Meanwhile, competitors like Mercedes-Benz USA and BMW of North America posted impressive gains, with Mercedes climbing 9% to nearly 325,000 units and BMW increasing by 2.5% to over 371,000 deliveries. To make matters worse, only 5 out of Audi’s 17 models experienced growth in the U.S. market.

Clearly, Audi is in need of a game-changer. Industry rumors have long suggested that the brand’s missing piece is a new three-row flagship SUV, designed to rival the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Infiniti QX80, and even the Cadillac Escalade. Speculation about such a model—the Audi Q9—has circulated for years, fueled by spy shots, leaks, and countless digital renderings.

Now, the wait seems to be over, at least in the virtual world. Automotive CGI artist Dimas Ramadhan from the Digimods DESIGN YouTube channel has unveiled his vision of the 2026 Audi Q9.

His digital creation hints at what Audi's flagship SUV might look like, blending bold design cues with familiar luxury touches.

The Q9’s silhouette appears to borrow inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz GLS, particularly around the greenhouse area, but the front fascia is unmistakably Audi. It features a minimalist yet aggressive design with sharp headlights, a prominent grille, and sporty bumper details.

At the rear, sleek full-width LED taillights and muscular body panels give the SUV a dynamic, athletic look.

The big question remains: Will Audi finally launch the Q9 this year, or will we be left speculating with more digital renderings in the future? Additionally, will the Q9 embrace hybrid or all-electric powertrains, moving away from traditional gasoline and diesel engines?

Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—the Q9 could be the bold step Audi needs to reclaim its place at the top of the luxury SUV market.