Audi CEO Acknowledges That the New Flagship SUV Nearly Featured Unrequested Electronic Door Handles

      Joel Feder

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      It's hard to picture a scenario in which the design of vehicle door handles would stir up controversy, yet here we are in 2026. Audi's CEO not only recognized this issue but also intervened just before the company's new flagship model was set to launch.

      In Munich, Germany, during a media preview for the 2027 Audi Q9 three-row SUV in May, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner told reporters, “One specific feature I’m particularly proud of is the quite conventional matter, the door handles.”

      Döllner shared, “We made that change actually 45 weeks ago, and we were pleased to achieve it.”

      According to Döllner, the decision to change came after he test drove the final verification models of the Q9 to approve the flagship. “We had an innovative door handle concept on that car as well. During a final test drive, we concluded that while it was innovative, from a customer standpoint, it was inferior to a conventional door handle. We were incredibly fortunate to be able to change it,” he explained.

      Making such a significant alteration 45 months prior to a media reveal is a monumental task. Döllner stated, “Typically, it requires two years to change that [door handles], but our body engineers did an exceptional job, and we were somewhat lucky that it fit into the package.” The automaker had to replace existing tooling, as noted by Döllner.

      He candidly said, “We are truly pleased to have these conventional door handles since they're not an innovation, they’re simply good. Yeah.”

      Initially, the automaker intended to pursue the trending electronic door handles similar to those seen on the Volvo EX60. Döllner mentioned that the decision occurred simultaneously with the prohibition of unconventional door handles in the Chinese market, but this was not the primary motivation for the design change.

      What about the “innovative door handle” that was eliminated from the Q9? Döllner described it as “A small wing on the door that operated using a piezoelectric physical effect. You only needed to lightly touch it for the door to open electromechanically, but we will have that solution in a European vehicle in a different segment. However, it definitely isn’t suitable for a full-size SUV with everyday usage requirements.”

      The door handles weren’t the only aspect Döllner aimed to correct with the Q9, and subsequently with the flagship's smaller counterpart, the 2027 Q7.

      Döllner mentioned that the new Q7 and Q9 were the first two products where he truly made a difference after joining Audi 2.5 years ago. He took customer feedback seriously and implemented extensive changes beyond just the door handles, focusing on packaging and features.

      “We revamped the center console, introduced cupholders that are appropriately sized for Stanley Cups. We reconfigured the smart door panels found in our A5, A6, and Q5 models, reverted to dedicated switches, improved interior cooling, and refined the seating and roof layout, all with a strong customer focus,” Döllner said.

      My daughter will be grateful to Döllner for ensuring that the cup holders in the Q7 and Q9 aren’t designed for ants. Her words, not mine.

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