The Audi Q9 will gain two additional powertrains in Europe next year.
Joining the V6 diesel will be a plug-in hybrid and a gasoline V6.
The V8-powered SQ9 is under consideration.

Diesel engines continue to lose ground rapidly across Europe. Recent figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association show their share of new-car sales fell to just 6.5 percent in the first half of the year. This marks a steep decline from the mid-2010s when diesels accounted for more than half of all new vehicles sold on the continent.

Although tighter emissions rules are hastening the decline of diesel power in Europe, Audi remains committed to its established TDI technology. The brand's large new three-row SUV is arriving in Europe with only a 3.0-liter V6 diesel that includes a mild-hybrid system. In contrast, the United States market will offer both V6 and V8 gasoline engines from the start.

We asked Audi whether other engines would reach Europe. A company spokesperson confirmed that the large three-row luxury SUV will receive two more powertrains next year: a gasoline V6 and a plug-in hybrid. This approach mirrors the strategy Audi outlined earlier for the updated Q7.

Photo by: Audi

Audi has not confirmed whether an SQ9 with V8 power will reach Europe, yet the high-performance model remains under review. The spokesperson noted that the brand is evaluating if and when such an offering could be introduced. If it arrives, the SQ9 would compete directly with the BMW X7 M60i and the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 S.

Audi expects the diesel to remain the top choice for buyers despite the broader market shift away from the engine type. The company is following the same playbook used for the Q7. The V6 TDI will not be offered in the United States, where diesel sales have always been limited and faced further setbacks after the Dieselgate events.

With the A8 nearing the end of its production run, the Q9 now serves as Audi's top model. The brand has mentioned a new flagship arriving near the end of the decade, yet the Volkswagen Group is reducing its overall lineup, leaving the outlook for a larger model uncertain. Recent changes include the removal of the A1 and Q2, the introduction of the Q7 and Q9, and the return of the A2 as an entry-level electric vehicle.

What do you think?

Motor1's Take: Launching the Q9 with a diesel may appear surprising given the engine's shrinking presence in Europe, yet Audi has clearly assessed demand and determined that the V6 TDI still holds strong appeal. The powertrain continues to play a key role across multiple models in the current range.

Nevertheless, the window for diesel and other combustion engines is closing. By 2035, manufacturers must cut CO2 emissions by 90 percent from 2021 levels. Although this target is less stringent than earlier proposals, few pure combustion vehicles are likely to remain after the middle of the next decade. Most surviving models will likely be hybrids.

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