Audi has unveiled its e-tron quattro concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a preview of a planned production all-electric crossover.
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As the name implies, the Q6 will sit between the Q5 and Q7 in the Audi range and will combine an SUV body with a coupe-like cabin.
The battery-electric drivetrain features three electric motors: one at the front, and two on the rear axle, providing a total of 496 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.
A sprint from 0-62 miles per hour in this beauty will take an estimated 4.6 seconds, while Audi predicts that an electronically governed top speed of 130.5 miles per hour will be possible.
The large lithium-ion battery is integrated into the floor of the passenger compartment. A large solar panel on the roof helps to top up the battery when driving on sunny days. The Combined Charging System (CCS) enables charging with DC or AC electrical current. If it is selected by the customer, however, the adjustable damping can be controlled through the standard Audi Drive Select system with which the driver can also set up the engine, steering and gearbox.
When the 66th global Motor Show (IAA) opens tomorrow in Frankfurt, Audi will be ready to show its latest concept to the world. The Audi e-tron quattro concept thus reacts even more spontaneously and stably, and is also very manoeuvrable at low speeds. The rear lights have nine red OLEDs for the taillight function. If the production vehicle can match the concept’s 615 liters (21.7 cu.ft) of luggage space, owners certainly aren’t going to struggle fitting all their junk into the back on a weekend away. There is also a center-mounted OLED screen below the gear selector, which controls the HVAC system and displays drive information.
A highlight for many will be the optional Audi virtual cockpit, which is a fully digital instrument cluster offering three unique views, and your inner geek is also likely to appreciate the redesigned MMI interface, with an operating logic similar to that of modern smart-phones. Interiors are spacious enough for upto four adults with two individual seats at the front and rear. An LTE module connects the Audi e-tron quattro concept with the Internet. The concept is also equipped with a central driver assistance controller, or zFAS. Positioning the vehicle atop the charging plate is a job assigned to the car’s self-driving functionality, which uses video as well as ultrasonic and laser sensors to assess conditions around the auto.
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While we won’t see the e-tron quattro on the road until 2018, Audi says that this platform is a benchmark for further automotive technology through the entire Audi product portfolio.
