At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Volkswagen Group showed the world that they’re going big on electrification. In addition to the Volkswagen Tiguan GTE plug-in hybrid and stunning please-build-it Porsche Mission E concept, they also unveiled an Audi crossover concept that runs on sweet electricity.
Meet the Audi E-Tron Quattro Concept. While the “E-Tron” name may evoke electrified R8s, this concept is all about hauling the family around with lots of torque and zero emissions.
And don’t think for a second that it’s a coincidence this is coming out a few weeks before the official debut of the Tesla Model X. Audi is actually planning a production version of this crossover as part of their all-out electric assault on Tesla.
It’s a pretty sharp-looking concept too, definitely sleeker and more exciting than the new Q7 turned out to be. I’m a fan of the design.
Anyway, specs! Three electric motors, one up front, two in the rear, a 95-kWh battery pack, an estimated 429 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The zero to 60 mph time is estimated at 4.6 seconds, so Audi clearly has some catching up to do if they want to take down a Ludicrous Mode Model X.
Audi boasts an electric range of 310 miles, plus Matrix OLEDs throughout and solar panels on the roof.
Welcome to the electric fight, Audi. We look forward to seeing what you’ve got when you bring something real in a couple years.
Contact the author at patrick@jalopnik.com.