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



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.