Audi to Preview an EV Crossover in Frankfurt

Audi EV Concept preview (Credit: © Audi)

Electric vehicles are quickly gaining momentum with gas prices once again shooting up and awareness of the environment at an all-time high. The electric crossover SUV realm, on the other hand, is still slow moving, as the Tesla Model X has yet to arrive and many other automakers are taking a wait-and-see approach.

According to a report from Automotive News Europe, Audi is not one for waiting to see how the market develops, as it is set to debut its Model X fighter at the Frankfurt Auto Show this year.

Audi will base this sporty crossover on the Volkswagen MLB platform, which underpins the Porsche Macan and Audi Q5, to help keep costs down. Under the hood will be a purely electric powerplant that Audi executive, Ulrich Hackenburg, said will have a range of more than 500 km (310 miles). This would put right in line with what I expect to see from the Model X. There may also eventually be a fuel-cell version of the crossover.

Unfortunately, there are no other details on the drivetrain powering this concept, but we should learn more when the Frankfurt show opens up on September 17th.

As for its design, the report claims that Audi is working on a design language specifically for its EV lineup. While that may inspire thoughts of a futuristic look, I suspect it will be a slightly modified version of the current design language.

Another detail that is up for wild speculation is the name of this upcoming EV. While it is enticing to step away from the norm when naming a tech-filled vehicle like an electric SUV, sources claim that Audi will remain consistent and name this model the Q6.

There is quite some time between now and the opening of the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, but I am confident there will be plenty of news to pass on between now and then, so stay tuned.