Audi unveils h-tron quattro concept at Detroit motor show

Audi has unveiled the h-tron quattro at the Detroit Motor Show, highlighting its alternative drive concepts.

The new model is said to be a production-relevant hydrogen fuel cell SUV that draws heavily on the contemporary platform structure, electric drivetrain architecture and battery technology of the earlier e-tron quattro concept.

The SUV further promises zero-emission compatibility, a refuelling time of just four minutes using the latest in hydrogen fuelling technology and a creditable 600 km range, the four-wheel-drive concept is also claimed to have a 0-100 kph time of less than seven seconds, a restricted 200 kph top speed and the ability to run in front-wheel drive mode at typical urban speeds.

The h-tron quattro has been created to showcase a fifth-generation fuel cell stack under development at Audi’s Ingolstadt engineering headquarters in Germany. It is tentatively planned for introduction on a production version of the h-tron quattro in 2020.

The new fuel cell stack is fuelled by hydrogen held in three carbonfibre-reinforced plastic, 700bar tanks, one in the space of the traditional transmission tunnel and smaller ones mounted across the car beneath the rear seat and the boot floor and offering a combined capacity of 6kg. The stack consists of 330 individual cells and develops a nominal 110kW (148bhp) of electricity.

Described as being lighter, smaller, stronger and more economical than the unit it replaces, the new fuel cell stack is claimed to boast an efficiency rating of up to 60% – more than double that of a typical combustion engine.

One key development being touted by Audi is the reduction in the amount of platinum used in its production, making it cheaper and more environmentally friendly. A newly conceived heat pump is also claimed to absorb waste heat more efficiently, reducing the typical heat build-up within the interior associated with early fuel cell prototypes.

In combination with a relatively small 1.8kWh lithium ion battery mounted within the floor in the middle of the passenger compartment that provides an additional boost of 100kW (134bhp) for short periods, the fuel cell stack is claimed to provide the h-tron quattro with a range of up to 600 km. All up, the battery is claimed to weigh just 60kg.

While the fuel cell operates at between 220 and 280 volts, the battery can run between 220 and 480 volts. A DC converter mounted within the engine compartment is used to equalise the difference, providing electrical energy to a pair of electric motors – one mounted within the front axle assembly with 90kW (121bhp) and another on the rear axle producing up to 140kW (188bhp). Each electric motor has its own single-speed planetary gearset, which acts as a differential.

The set-up differs from that used by the earlier all-electric e-tron quattro, which featured three electric motors – one up front and two at the rear - as well as a much larger lithium ion battery with a capacity of 95kWh.

Underpinning the new Audi is a modified version of the MLB platform from the upcoming second-generation Q5. It has been reworked with an altered floorpan and structural elements to accommodate the batteries low down for the best possible centre of gravity.

The suspension - a five-link design both front and rear - features air springs with both adaptive damping and a self-levelling function to automatically lower the body in two stages by up to 30mm for improved aerodynamic efficiency at constant motorway speeds.

Drawing on developments brought to the latest Q7, the h-tron quattro also adopts four-wheel steering with up to 5deg of movement on the rear wheels to reduce the turning circle and aid maneuverability at lower speeds around town while increasing agility at higher speeds.

Stretching to 4880mm in length, 1930mm in width and 1540mm in height, the e-tron quattro is 250mm longer, 30mm wider and 115mm lower than the existing first-generation Q5.

The interior of the h-tron quattro draws heavily on the design originally unveiled on the Prologue concept at last year’s Los Angeles motor show. It provides seating for up to four, with two individual seats front and rear.

Among the highlights is a trio of OLED displays, as planned for the fourth-generation A8 due out in 2017. Boot space is put at 500 litres – 115 litres less than the e-tron quattro due to the packaging of the hydrogen tanks.

Giving a glimpse at the sort of autonomous driving technology we can expect to see on future Audi models, the h-tron quattro comes equipped with all the various technologies the German car maker has developed as part of its so-called Piloted Driving research programme, including radar sensors, stereo cameras, ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner.

All systems are controlled in a central driver system known as zFAS. It computes a complete model of the concept car’s surroundings in real time and makes the information available to the assistance system. They then carry out various driving tasks at speeds of up to 60kph.

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- Mercedes reveals new E-Class; to be showcased at NAIAS

- Ford unveils all-wheel drive and hybrid versions of Fusion

- Lexus reveals LC 500 coupe

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