Audi Teases Possibility of an All-New Large SUV
The automaker has filed a trademark for the name “E7X,” though its intended purpose remains unclear.
Audi lineup may be extensive, but there are still a few gaps the brand hasn’t filled. Alongside the incoming flagship Q9 SUV—and its performance-focused SQ9 counterpart, both aimed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7—the company appears to be working on yet another addition. A recent trademark filing in the European Union hints at a completely new model, potentially wearing the name “E7X.” What that badge will represent remains unclear; it could signal an electric SUV, a raised allroad-style sedan, or even a sleek five-door reminiscent of the former A7 Sportback.
A Name That Breaks Audi Tradition
The newly filed “E7X” name—submitted to the European Union Intellectual Property Office on December 2—raises some eyebrows. It doesn’t follow Audi’s usual two-letter naming structure, where “A” designates cars and “Q” signals SUVs, with “S” and “RS” reserved for performance variants. That deviation makes it difficult to pin down exactly what Audi has in the works. Still, the leading “E” strongly suggests the mystery model will be fully electric.
The E7X could end up being a midsize or full-size electric crossover positioned alongside the gasoline-powered Q7—possibly even taking the place of the discontinued Q8 EV, whose successor is rumored to be U.S.-built. However, the naming choice still raises questions. Audi typically labels its electric models with the “e-tron” designation, regardless of whether a combustion equivalent exists. That makes this new badge all the more puzzling and suggests the brand may be experimenting with a fresh naming strategy.
The “X” at the end adds yet another layer of mystery. Saab once used the letter to distinguish certain models—such as the Subaru-derived 9-2X, the lifted 9-3X wagon, and the 9-7X SUV—each signaling added capability or all-wheel drive. But Audi already relies on its “allroad” branding for that purpose on its wagons, which makes this choice even more curious. It raises the possibility that Audi is exploring a different body style altogether for the E7X—perhaps a slightly rugged, fully electric reinterpretation of the sleek A7 Sportback.
The Filing Could Simply Be a Placeholder
It’s also entirely possible that the name isn’t tied to a specific vehicle at all. Audi may simply be staking a claim to “E7X” for future use, with its marketing team identifying the designation as potentially valuable and its legal department moving to secure it. If the company doesn’t apply the name to a concept or production model within a set period, the trademark will eventually lapse—by which time Audi may have shifted focus to an entirely different naming direction.
It’s also possible the trademark has nothing to do with a vehicle name. Audi may be reserving “E7X” for proprietary technology—perhaps a new EV platform or an advanced electric motor. The current e-tron GT, built on the J1 architecture shared with the Porsche Taycan, is starting to show its age. Their successors are expected to transition to the Premium Platform Electric architecture used by models like the Cayenne Electric and A6 e-tron. Still, there’s a chance Audi and Porsche could collaborate on yet another dedicated platform for their next-generation performance EV flagships, and “E7X” might be tied to that project.
Unfortunately, trademark filings don’t offer any clues about timing, so there’s no way to know when—or even if—we’ll learn what E7X actually represents for Audi. In the EU, a trademark remains valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely, but it can also be revoked after five years if it hasn’t been used on a legitimate product. That means Audi effectively has until 2030 to reveal the purpose behind this unusual new name.
