Audi’s new e-tron quattro concept has been revealed at the Frankfurt motor show, with Audi R&D boss Dr Ulrich Hackenberg claiming the all-electric design study is “very close to the production car”.
The concept uses the power of three electric motors: One electric motor drives the front axle, the two others act on the rear. Total output is claimed to be 429 bhp. The driver can also mobilise 496 bhp and over 590.0 lb-ft of torque temporarily while boosting.
When the driver floors the throttle pedal, Audi says the concept goes from a standstill to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 130 mph.
The battery’s capacity of 95 kWh enables a claimed range of more than 310 miles. Audi engineers say a full charge with DC electrical current at a charging point with an output of 150 kW takes around 50 minutes. As an alternative, the study is also equipped with wireless charging technology for contactless induction charging.
The five-door technology showcase measures 4.88 metres long, 1.93 metres wide and 1.54 metres high. Audi says the car’s drag coefficient measures just 0.25 – a claimed new best for the SUV segment, where figures are usually well over 0.30.
All of this contributes to the long range of more than 310 miles. At speeds of 50 mph and above, electrically actuated aerodynamic elements on the bonnet, the flanks and at the rear end direct the flow of air as needed to improve the flow through and around the car.
The vertical separating edges on the side panels and the fully enclosed floor pan with its newly designed microstructures also contribute to reducing drag. Cameras replace the exterior mirrors – another factor contributing to reduced drag.
All the main lighting functions at the front of the car use Audi’s ‘Matrix’ laser technology. The bottom section houses a new, distinctive lighting signature comprising five lighting elements. Each of these combines an LED luminary with a flat OLED element. Audi is currently developing Matrix OLED technology for use in production vehicles and is showing it for the first time in the concept study at the IAA.
The rear lights also comprise two sections. Each of the top zones features nine red OLED units for the tail light function, with three more below.
All of the displays in the interior also use OLED technology. The extremely thin films can be cut to any desired shape, say the designers.
The new curved OLED display used for the fully-digital instrument cluster is a further development of the Audi virtual cockpit that debuted in production vehicles in 2014.
Below the selector lever on the centre tunnel console are two more OLED displays for the drive system status and climate control. The curved displays in the front section of the doors serve as digital exterior mirrors.
The two rear passengers, meanwhile, get individual seats.
Audi estimates the production version of the e-tron quattro will go on sale in 2018. The road-going model will be badged as the Q6 e-tron quattro.
Source: Audi
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