After much teasing, the Audi e-Tron Quattro Concept has finally been unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. And with it comes tantalizing clues to the upcoming Q6 electric SUV.
To keep costs down, Audi has reportedly chosen to use the VW Group's MLB Evo platform which was designed as an electric car from the beginning, per GreenCarReports.
Propelling the EV are two motors on the rear and one up front for a producing a combined 496 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Traction is maximized while keeping energy consumption to a minimum via real-time torque management.
This makes the concept go from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds all the way to a limited 130 mph.
"The three motors in the Q6 concept are powered by a 95-kilowatt-hour battery using lithium-ion cells from Korean makers LG Chem and Samsung SDI," GCR said.
"It sits under the floorpan running from side to side, and from the front to the rear axle."
Although Audi claimed 310 miles of range for the e-Tron Quattro concept, GCR noted that the German marquee used the European NEDC test cycle. As a result, the EPA estimate could be 20 or 30 percent lower.
The EV can be fully charged in as little as 50 minutes via a 150-kilowatt DC fast charger, according to Audi. Autonomous parking will reportedly allow wireless charging without the need to park directly over the charging plate. Also of note is the concept's roof-mounted solar panel which can charge the battery.
"At 192.1 inches long and 76.0 inches wide, it slots neatly between the Q5 and the Q7, although, at 60.6 inches tall, it sits significantly lower than both of those models," Car and Driver said.
Although aimed squarely at Tesla's seven-seater Model X SUV, the Q6 e-Tron only sits four with each passenger getting ventilation outlets, multiple displays and a touch of the Audi Prologue Concept.
The Audi e-Tron Quattro concept is likely to hit the market as the Audi Q6 by early 2018, according to CAD. Plug-in and hybrid versions could also go on sale.
