Audi has no immediate plans for an RS Q9 flagship performance variant, but the door remains open. The German automaker currently considers its 591-horsepower SQ9 sufficient to compete in the high-performance luxury SUV segment. An executive told Road & Track that while RS Q9 development isn't happening now, "never say never" about the model's future.
The SQ9 pairs a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to generate its 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Audi's dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive system handle power delivery. That output positions the SQ9 competitively against the Mercedes-AMG GLE 580 and BMW X7 M60i, which produce 523 and 503 hp respectively.
The RS badge traditionally denotes Audi's most extreme performance models. RS versions of the Q3, Q5, and Q7 exist, and historically deliver 100 to 200 additional horsepower over their S-badged counterparts. An RS Q9 would logically pursue the 700-plus-horsepower territory occupied by rivals like the BMW X7 M and Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S.
Audi's hesitation suggests internal calculations about market demand and profitability. The SQ9 likely captures most buyers willing to spend on ultra-high-performance three-row SUVs without paying further for marginal performance gains. Developing an RS variant demands investment in engineering, homologation, and marketing against shrinking traditional combustion market windows.
The company's electrification strategy also factors into decisions. Audi plans additional battery-electric models and has de-emphasized pure ICE