By: Dave Abrahams
Frankfurt Motor Show - The e-tron quattro concept, star of the Audi stand at the Messe, is more than the conceptual basis for the Four Rings' first mass-production battery car, due in 2018.
It represents the coming of age of the electric car in several ways - not least its claimed range of 500km on a charge. If that's attainable in real-world motoring, the e-tron will have cracked a major barrier to mainstream sales of electric vehicles.
Secondly, with permanent all-wheel drive and 320kW on tap - and up to 370kW and 800Nm available briefly on 'overboost' - it doesn't need to stand back for any conventional SUV in the performance stakes. Audi quotes a 0-100 getaway in 4.6 seconds and an (electronically limited) top speed of 210km/h - although using either of those too enthusiastically is likely to knock a severe dent in its 500km range capability.
And last but not least, at 4880mm long, 1930mm wide and 1540mm high, it's a genuine family car, with four individual seats (although we'd expect a production version to have a three-seat rear bench as standard issue) and a 615 litre luggage compartment.
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S ORDINARY
The e-tron quattro concept has three electric motors - one on the front axle and one driving each of the rear wheels. That not only does away with the need for a rear differential but makes true electronic torque vectoring a reality for the first time on an Audi.
When you're pushing it on a winding road, the torque control management system actively distributes drive between the rear wheels for perfectly neutral steering and leech-like roadholding. Cruising on the open road, on the other hand, is all about getting the most out of the amps in the battery, depending on the drive mode setting and the level of energy recuperation you've dialled in.
The lithium-ion battery pack, which makes up most of the passenger-compartment floor, is rated at a potent 95kWh, but its central position and low-down mounting help balance the car's weigh-distribution and contribute to stability.
A combined charging system allows recharging from either AC or DC supply; charging from household current would typically take all night, but Audi claims that a full charge from a 150kW DC charging point would take less than an hour.
The concept also has an induction loop under the body for wireless charging and uses an autonomous driving system to parking itself perfectly in position over the corresponding loop cast into the concrete floor of your garage for optimal overnight charging - and then it'll pick you up in front of your door in the morning.
SLIPPERY SHAPE
There's also a large solar panel on that long tapering 'Avant' style roof, to boost the battery's charge level on sunny days.
The coupé-like silhouette also contributes to the concept's claimed drag coefficient of just 0.25 - a record for an SUV, says Audi - along with electrically actuated aero elements on the bonnet, along the sides and, of course, around the tailgate, that constantly adjust the flow of air around and through the car.
That not only keeps the battery pack cool, but smooth airflow is also quiet airflow - with no more than a quiet hum from the engine and unusually low wind noise, the loudest noise inside the cabin is likely to be the sound of the tyres on the road.
ORGANIC LEDS
The e-tron quattro concept is the first public demonstration of Audi's matrix laser lighting technology, using extremely flat organic LEDs front and rear.
The virtual cockpit display also uses organic LED's, with a touch displays in black glass with aluminium trim, one either side of a digital instrument cluster.
The left-side screen control the lights and autonomous driving functions, the one on the right media and navigation. Even the steering wheel has contoured touch surfaces for cruise control and audio volume setting, while curved displays set into the front doors act as digital side mirrors, fed by concealed cameras.