Audi to showcase E-tron SUV concept at Frankfurt motor show

The Audi e-tron quattro is being lined up to rival the Tesla Model X – itself destined for an autumn release – with a potential range of more than 310 miles.

The Q6’s range exceeds the current range of Tesla’s Model S, which can travel up to 270 miles on a single charge.

The Audi e-tron quattro concept is heading for the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show as a preview of a production Audi Q6 with an electric drivetrain. The most aerodynamic road cars today, despite being much smaller and with less frontal area, boast figures around 0.27, while an average value is in the low 0.3s.

The study is based on the second-generation modular longitudinal platform, which provides considerable scope for the drive system and package. It’s about midway between the Q5 and Q7 in length, with typical SUV proportions and a sweeping roofline. Expect touches such as laser headlights outside, and a full OLED interface inside. However, like some other electrics, it seats only four, thanks to the large lithium-ion battery situated between the axles under the passenger compartment. That theoretically gives the auto better driving dynamics.

However, unlike the R8 e-tron, which has two rear-mounted electric motors, each driving a rear wheel, the new SUV has three electric motors.

And that’s the bottom line: if the production version can handle 500 kilometres without recharging, at a steady 130km/h (the minimum speed limit in the fast lane on Germany’s autobahns) then we reckon Audi has cracked it, as far as bringing battery cars into the mainstream is concerned. This latter vehicle will challenge the imminent BMW X7 and next Mercedes-Benz GLS. Audi is yet to offer a vehicle for the segment but it is expected to be a popular one when it does. The company says its main focus will be on new models in the C and D segments as well as the aforementioned growth in the Q SUV family.