Audi Is Developing 300-Mile Range All-Electric SUV For 2018
The new SUV, which is still unnamed, will be all-electric. During his speech, Hackenberg gave a few details about what to expect from the all-electric SUV. “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 (310.7 miles).
Granted this is a generous Euro cycle range estimate. Earlier reports of an A6-based electric SUV in development had a range estimate as high as 435 miles. Beyond that, and allowing for the possibility Audi is keeping options open in a fluid market of ongoing R&D, Hackenberg continued on what Audi is now preparing for.
“It will have a new, very attractive design, which we are developing especially for the e-tron range and for battery-electric vehicles. This sports activity vehicle will be built on the second generation of the modular longitudinal platform (MLB 2) - our concept for optimal drivetrain diversity implementation. Analysts are expecting the SUV to fall into Audi’s Q6 line, which is the sportier segment of the luxury brand.
“If I see from the engineering side, a Q is probably not the best solution for an electric car with a large range because it has large surfaces and high aerodynamic resistance,” said Hackenberg. “But if you ask the sales people, everything has to be Q! Hackenberg also spoke about the advances in technology that continue to improve electrified vehicles. “The next-generation has 41 Ah and then 50 Ah.
The car will almost certainly be quieter and lighter, and more fuel efficient. Buying a new car, We can help you beat the dealers and potentially save you thousands. Click here for a free, no-obligation quote. Holden is investing heavily in a marketing and product offensive that will give it a new identity for when it no longer builds cars in Australia. Its entrant in the all-important Kluger, Territory and Pathfinder market is some time off but it will hail from the United States in the form of a rebadged GMC Acadia.
The US-built model features V6 and possibly diesel power and represents the diversity of Holden’s upcoming product portfolio, which sources from regions as diverse as South Korea, Europe and the United States. A replacement for the desperately ageing Captiva is also due next year, taking the form of the Chevrolet Equinox. Jaguar is said to be planning a small SUV to sit beneath the F-Pace, tipped to be based on the Land Rover Discovery Sport platform.
This model should fit in between Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLC for size. A full lineup of Ingenium petrol and diesel engines is a safe bet, while an electric variant could be part of the company’s broader EV plans. Set to be previewed at the Paris Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz electric SUV concept is going to be one of four passenger EVs expected before the end of the decade. Prompted by Tesla’s enormous success in this field, the company’s electric fleet will expand as far as vans, trucks, buses and more.
Volvo’s next-generation small crossover will be based on the CMA architecture developed with parent Geely. The XC40 was previewed by the 40.1 concept (pictured above), which ushers in the small car design language of the newly-revitalised brand. Electric and hybrid variants are on the cards, with the primary propulsion unit destined to be a powerful 1.5-litre three-cylinder mill.
This car has the potential to shake up the Q3/X3/GLC segment like its big-brother the XC90 has made a splash in the X5/GLE/Q7 swimming pool. Haval is becoming one of the most talked-about SUV makers, with interest in its H2, H8, H9 and new H6 growing, but sales in Australia are not quite reflecting that. Newer models including an all-new H2 based on the HB 02 concept and a Jaguar F-Pace-inspired coupe based on the HR 02 concept could do plenty to raise company profile if they reach Australian shores as expected.
