Audi’s flagship SQ9 adds a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 to its largest ever car

You may have noticed (it was hard to miss) that earlier this week Audi pulled some king-sized covers off its new three-row Q9 SUV. But while the rest of the world was shown the standard car with its 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6, America was also being treated to a full-fat V8.

Yep, this is the US-only SQ9, complete with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo unit that makes 583bhp and 590lb ft of torque, resulting in a 0-60mph time of just 3.8 seconds. Not bad for something the size of a small planet, and apparently “the quickest accelerating three-row SUV to 60mph in its class", claims Audi, triumphantly.

The SQ9 also gets a rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive setup and an electronically controlled diff lock on the back axle. There are wider tyres at the rear too, plus standard 22 or optional 23in wheels. Like the regular Q9, an eight-speed auto gearbox, air suspension and rear-wheel steering are standard fit, but the S also comes with the option of upgrading to ‘sport adaptive air suspension’. Presumably that’s the one for families who often go seven-up on trackdays.

On the outside you’ll spot the different grille for the SQ9 (which of course can be illuminated alongside the Audi logo), while round the back there’s a more prominent roof spoiler, flared arches and quad exhausts. There’s also plenty of aluminium accenting to mark it out as an S model, plus actual Digital Matrix LED headlights. That’s a first for the US, with Audi’s engineers coming up with a system that meets the Department of Transportation’s regulations for glare.

Inside you can spec seating for either six or seven, and we’re promised Nappa leather-trimmed heated chairs in all three rows as standard. The screen setup is as you’d find in the diesel Q9, but here you also get special carbon fibre trim and lots of S badges. Oh, and you'll also get 'adaptive cruise assist' as standard which allows for hands-free highway driving. 

US deliveries will kick off later this year, with prices starting at $118,000 for the exclusive SQ9 and $87,700 for the regular car.