2016 Audi h-Tron Quattro Concept – Hypercomplex Tech Showcase Headed for Sale as $100k Tesla Rival as 2018 Q6

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2016 Audi h-Tron Quattro Concept 27

Audi’s big news for the Detroit show?  The new 2017 A4 and Q7 — which are set for arrivals to US showrooms in the next few months.

Alongside those dull-looking production cars come massive cabin tech enhancements, efficiency boosts and all-new powertrains.

A bit more exciting on the appearance front?  This new h-Tron Quattro Concept.

Roughly previewing the size of an upcoming Q6 crossover, this latest prototype shows a production-intent hydrogen-electric SUV.  And boy is is complex: multiple tanks of hydrogen power advanced electrics for a range of nearly 400 miles, a 0-60-mph sprint under 7-seconds, and AWD grip just like every Quattro model. Hydrogen power may become a halo showcase for future Audi and VW powertrains — with a few hundred trial models possibly even sold to buyers in California and elsewhere with Hydrogen refilling infrastructure.

We do not care for the design of this machine much, but 272-horsepower and none of the nerd-tastic looks of the Honda FCEV (or Toyota Mirai…)?  Very impressive indeed. And applying tech so complex no startup could compete?

We hope there is more truth in this engineering than shown previously by Audi.  Making future propulsion a production reality looks as daunting as ever, with limited upside from a cost/benefit standpoint for the company.

But a Q6-sized entry with full-electric drive would be able to justify its likely $100k-plus price — as long as it delivers a true Tesla Model X rival.  So far, the five-seat e-Tron and h-Tron Quattros have some catching up to do… no matter how mind-boggling the technical drawings might be..

2016 Audi h-Tron Quattro Concept

 

2016 Audi h-Tron Quattro Concept

The Audi A4 allroad quattro* and the technology study Audi h-tron quattro concept: Their world debuts enable the brand with the four rings to showcase the innovation fields of Audi quattro, connectivity and fuel cell technology at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The new Audi A4 allroad quattro takes to the floor at Detroit with a sharper design – with striking front end and a typical “allroad” look. Its quattro drive as standard and the 34 millimeter (1.3 in) gain in ground clearance make it the perfect automobile for every situation – including away from paved roads. The available engines are powerful but also efficient: They deliver an output of up to 200 kW (272 hp).

High-end options such as the Audi virtual cockpit and the MMI navigation plus with the new MMI operating concept underline the level of comfort and convenience offered by the new Audi A4 allroad quattro. The diverse Audi connect services link the driver and passengers with the Internet via the high-speed LTE standard. There is also a comprehensive range of driver assistance systems. Particular highlights include the predictive efficiency assistant, adaptive cruise control Stop&Go including traffic jam assist and trailer assist that makes it easier to maneuver the outfit.

High range, swift refueling, sporty road performance: The technology study Audi h-tron quattro concept demonstrates the huge potential of fuel cell technology. This model, which Audi is unveiling for the first time, has all-electric drive – using hydrogen as its energy source. It combines state-of-the-art fuel cell technology delivering up to 110 kW with a battery that provides a temporary boost of up to 100 kW.

Two electric motors on the front and rear axles represent a new evolutionary level of quattro drive – the electrified quattro. The electric motor on the front axle develops 90 kW, and its rear counterpart 140 kW. The sporty SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.1 mph) in under seven seconds. Its hydrogen tanks can be refueled safely and easily in around four minutes; a range of up to 600 kilometers (372.8 mi) is possible.

The Audi h-tron quattro concept also provides a foretaste of the technologies for piloted driving and parking that will go into production in 2017 with the next generation of the Audi A8 full-size sedan. Piloted driving at Audi revolves around the central driver assistance controller (zFAS). It computes a model of the car’s surroundings in real time and makes this information available to the assistance systems and the piloted driving and parking systems. The latter can assume driving tasks during parking or in stop-and-go traffic on freeways at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37.3 mph).

The NAIAS 2016 is the first event in the United States at which Audi is presenting the A4 Sedan* to a wide audience. It builds on the success story of the high-volume model with new cutting-edge technologies on board. It redefines the benchmark for weight, aerodynamics, acoustic comfort, storage space and driver assistance systems. Highly efficient engines, the safe and sporty quattro drive and extensive connectivity are other virtues of the new Audi A4 Sedan.

Audi complements its operating and display concepts with even larger displays and a new interpretation of joy of use. At the Detroit show, an interactive interior model is used to evoke a concept based around large screens with touch control. Haptic feedback is provided every time an option is selected, making touch control car-friendly, safe and convenient.