Happy Saturday! Welcome to this week’s edition of the Official DoubleClutch.ca News Rundown, where we recap the top automotive headlines from the week that was in one convenient package. Let’s go.
2027 Q9 takes over as Audi's new flagship
Audi finally has a proper answer to the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Meet the properly large 2027 Audi Q9.
For starters, the Q9 is considerably larger in every metric over the Q7 — Audi's biggest three-row until now. The Q9 is nearly 10 inches longer, boasts a nearly six-inch-longer wheelbase, and is just under three inches taller than the Q7. The size difference is apparent — even in the photos, the Q9's lanky proportions and silhouette appear very reminiscent of the X7 and GLS.
The 2027 Q9 doesn't stray far from Audi's current design language, coming across as a scaled-up version of the new Q7, though the front grille reminiscent of Mercedes-AMG's "Panamericana" look seems out of place. Along with the Q7, the Q9 finally brings Audi's Matrix LED lighting to North America, along with turn signals that project onto the ground.
Inside, the 2027 Q9 once again follows Audi's current look. You can spec up to three screens — there's a 14.5-inch central touchscreen handles infotainment, an 11.9-inch display for the digital gauges, and an optional 12.3-inch screen for passengers. Given the Q9's family-hauling intentions, you can spec either a three-passenger bench or a pair of captain's chairs for the second row.
What's interesting is that Audi seems to have returned to a more traditional take on the Q9's interior controls and finishes. There's less gloss black trim, replaced with more matte-finish surfaces and wood, and we clock more physical switchgear on the steering wheel, not to mention a proper volume knob.
Also interesting is that Audi seems to be sticking to internal-combustion powertrains, at least initially. North American-spec Q9s come standard with Audi's 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 good for 429 hp, while the 4.0L V8 with 591 ponies lives on in the SQ9. All use an eight-speed automatic, and all are all-wheel-drive, though Audi tuned the SQ9's Quattro system to be a bit more rear-biased.
Order books for the 2027 Q9 are already open, and Audi plans to have these in North American dealers by the end of the year.
2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee starts at $78,995
Ram announced this week pricing for its upcoming muscle truck lineup, kicking off at a surprisingly reasonable price point.
The entry-level 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee, pictured above in grey, starts at $78,995 before destination. That includes a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 pumping out 395 horsepower and a whole host of unique mechanical and visual upgrades, including tough-looking widebody styling and a stretched frame in order to accomodate the bed/cab pairing, which is unique to the Rumble Bee.
From there, you can step up to the 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee 392 and 392 Track Pack, shown above in red. For $89,995 and $100,995, respectively, you get the normally aspirated 6.4L Hemi V8 instead, cranking it up to 475 hp and pairing it to even more chassis and performance upgrades, including unique dual-valve Bilstein dampers and vastly larger Brembo brakes.
Ruling the Rumble Bee lineup is the 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee SRT. For $125,995, it's essentially a Rumble Bee Track Pack but with the supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8 under the hood. It puts out 777 hp, does the zero-to-100 km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds, and can still tow up to 8,890 pounds.
Ram says the 5.7-powered Rumble Bee will be the first in dealers, launching by the end of this year. The 392 duo and Rumble Bee SRT will follow early next year.
Feds spending $80 million to spur EV adoption and production
The federal government announced this week it will spend $80 million to spur EV adoption and component production in Canada.
The feds say up to $70 million of that chunk will go to the manufacturing of a new copper foil production facility. Copper foil is a key component to EV batteries; the new facility in Granby, Que., is being spearheaded by Volta Energy Solutions Canada (VESC) and will employ 260 people.
VESC says they expect to produce 25,000 tonnes of copper foil in 2027, and eventually plans to ramp output to 63,000 tonnes per year. It doesn't take the sting out of Honda putting its plans for another Canadian plant on ice, but we'll take what we can get.
The rest of the investment will go towards installing an additional 400 EV chargers across the country, along with a series of programs and marketing campaigns aimed at increasing EV awareness and adoption.