Audi Q9 Horch Surfaces: The Maybach-Fighting Flagship SUV

[Source: The Drive]

The Audi Q9 will finally be revealed in 2026. It will mark Audi’s entry into the full-size SUV market and compete against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS. The Q9 is to be positioned as the brand’s flagship SUV. Except it won’t be. According to a recent report by The Drive, a Q9 Horch is being tested and that will be the ultimate Audi SUV that will battle with the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.

Audi fans should be familiar with the Horch name. It is one of the four rings after all. August Horch founded the company back in 1899. Ironically this was after working for Carl Benz for a few years. After a dispute with the board Horch left his own company and founded Audi in 1909. In 1932, Audi, Horch, DKW and Wanderer combined to become Audi AG. Now Horch is apparently coming back as an ultimate luxury vehicle. Think Maybach, Rolls-Royce and Bentley levels of luxury. And a price to match.

Q9 Horch

The spy photos provided do not offer much detail on the Q9 Horch. But it is not the exterior that will really be what makes this SUV stand out anyway. It is what is on the inside that counts. Under the hood will likely be a powerful twin-turbo hybrid V8 engine. There could also be a turbo V6, but an all-electric variant is not expected.

Inside expect miles of diamond-quilted leather and deep pile carpeting. Additional wood trim is also expected along with every pampering technology that has been invented. Assume massaging seats, massive infotainment screens and heated and ventilated everything.

The Q9 Horch is still a while off. A debut in 2027 is likely the soonest we would see it. And it will probably be released for the European market first and then in the U.S. If we ever get it. There have been plenty of Audi models in history that never made it over here.

What do you think? Would you be interested in plunking down serious money on a Q9 Horch?