Automotive

Audi electric SUV to drive 300+ miles on LG/Samsung battery power

Audi electric SUV to drive 300+ miles on LG/Samsung battery power
Audi A3 e-tron engine compartment
Audi A3 e-tron engine compartment
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Audi A3 e-tron engine compartment
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Audi A3 e-tron engine compartment
The Audi R8 e-tron has a T-shaped 92-kWh battery
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The Audi R8 e-tron has a T-shaped 92-kWh battery
The R8 e-tron's battery delivers up to 279 miles (450 km) of range
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The R8 e-tron's battery delivers up to 279 miles (450 km) of range
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Audi is expected to show an all-electric crossover concept at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show, and this week the company revealed that the eventual production EV will boast a 310-mile (500-km)-range battery built on cells from LG Chem and Samsung SDI. That battery will be integrated neatly into its new MLB platform, which will be dressed in new design language.

Audi spoke of plans to launch a 310-mile+ electric SUV at its annual press conference back in March.

"In early 2018, we will launch a battery-powered sports activity vehicle in the large premium segment with a range of more than 500 kilometers," Audi technical development board member Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg said at the conference.

That's almost certain to be an electric Q6 crossover seated cozily between the Q5 and Q7. It'll be built atop the newest iteration of MLB architecture debuted on the new Q7 and is expected to get its looks from the Prologue concepts that Audi's been parading around since last year's LA Auto Show.

Today, Audi revealed that the 2018 production model will reach the 310-mile goal using a battery pack developed from high-performance cell modules from LG Chem and Samsung SDI. The companies will supply Audi from their European production plants.

"With our first battery-electric Audi-SUV, we are combining an emission-free drive system with driving pleasure," Hackenberg says. "We will optimally integrate the innovative cell modules developed with LG Chem and Samsung SDI into our vehicle architecture, thus achieving an attractive overall package of sportiness and range."

The R8 e-tron's battery delivers up to 279 miles (450 km) of range
The R8 e-tron's battery delivers up to 279 miles (450 km) of range

The new Q6 e-tron will follow the all-electric R8 e-tron revealed at this year's Geneva Motor Show. That coupe relies on a T-shaped 92-kWh lithium-ion battery pack to deliver an impressive 279-mile (450-km) range, as estimated by Audi.

Audi's e-SUV will have a heavyweight competitor when it launches three years from now: Tesla's Model X. In his second quarter shareholder letter last week, Elon Musk said that Tesla will launch the Model X next month.

Gizmag is eager to attend what's shaping up to be an exciting Frankfurt Motor Show. Stay tuned for our coverage starting September 15.

Source: Audi

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7 comments
7 comments
mhpr262
310 miles on the NEDC cycle perhaps. So, about 200 real world miles.
PeterMortensene7877c8e180f4d2a
The news is that Audi R8 will launch a car with 310+ miles in 2018 and the photo shows some sort of boxy batteries taking up half the car's interior space.
In 2008 Tesla Motors launched the Roadster. A recent announced battery upgrade to the original cars will allow it to drive approx. 340 miles (Roadster 3.0).
THAT'S A WHOPPING 10 YEARS BEHIND TESLA MOTORS' LAUNCH OF THE TESLA ROADSTER AND WITH A RANGE THAT DOESN'T EVEN BEAT THE ROADSTER 3.0 SPEC.
Anyway, I just wish Tesla could get some competition and perhaps this R8 will have something going for it in terms of performance?
Island Architect
Gee, looks like the Volt Revisited... neither as practical nor as comfortable.
Bill
Bob Flint
Still no solar panels to help cool/heat?
BeWalt
Great news. Good for Audi! Also, amazing how far German car makers are behind, and what they come up with. I totally agree this looks like what Tesla did with the Roadster 10 years ago. Validates 100 % of what Tesla have done, and what truly awesome innovators they are. Good luck Elon, the sleepyness of the established car makers is your chance to get into the market, and in a big way.
kmccune
200 miles of careless driving?Good enough.
Martin Winlow
So, they have a nice looking car (tick), that does 300 miles between charges (tick), but - where do the other 5 passengers go, what will it cost ($150k anyone?) and where/how is it going to charge in 75 minutes? MW