Spy shots of the 2023 Audi Q9: a full-size SUV on the way?

Most major luxury brands offer full-size SUVs, but Audi does not yet have that option.

Audi engineers are testing a prototype full-size SUV. Called the Q9 by many in the industry, it may eventually be called the Q7 L or even the Q8 L. Audi filed a trademark for the name as early as 2013, and executives at the automaker have previously hinted at the need for an SUV larger than the Q7 or Q8.

There is also a strong possibility that this mystery SUV will be sold exclusively in China. Audi already has several models exclusive to China, and more are planned. The Q5 E-Tron is next in line.

But back to this mysterious SUV. Previous testers used the body of the Volkswagen Atlas to hide the new mechanism. While the Atlas uses a stretched version of Volkswagen Group's MQB platform designed for mainstream cars, Audi's full-size SUV will likely ride on a stretched version of the premium MLB Evo platform found on several Audis, including the Q7 and Q8 will ride on a stretched version.

We currently expect this mystery SUV to be unveiled in late 2022 or early the following year.

Don't be surprised if an additional Volkswagen Group brand launches its own full-size SUV to spread the cost of this Audi investment. Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark strongly hinted last year that the brand's future flagship would be an SUV to fill the Murzanne's void, and Volkswagen confirmed plans for a production model with the launch of the T-Prime Concept GTE in 2016.The T Prime is a full-size SUV that is 11 inches longer than the latest Touareg.

Stay tuned for updates as development progresses.