Automotive

Audi gears up Brussels plant for production of first electric SUV

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The new SUV EV will fit between the large Audi Q7 and the midsize Audi Q5, making us guess that the model designation could be Audi Q6 e-tron
Audi
This breakdown of the Audi e-tron SUV concept shows the powertrain's general layout
Audi
The interesting and probably unrealistic dashboard console shown in the concept housed several displays and interfaces. These will most likely be consolidated into one or two displays for cost savings and simplicity
Audi
The new SUV EV will fit between the large Audi Q7 and the midsize Audi Q5, making us guess that the model designation could be Audi Q6 e-tron
Audi
The e-tron SUV was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015
Audi
Three electric motors propel the SUV, receiving power from a high-capacity battery
Audi
Battery production at the Belgian plant, Audi says, will also make it a key part of the Volkswagen Group’s overall electrification strategy
Audi
Audi says that the low drag coefficient and styling marks shown in the concept at last year's Frankfurt show are indicative of the production model to come
Audi
The high-tech, futuristic interior will not likely carry forward to production, we guess, due to its lack of accommodation for some safety features and possible ergonomics issues
Audi
One thing that may remain are the high-end displays found adorning the dashboard in the conceptual e-tron
Audi
The plug-in interface, shown in Frankfurt for the concept, features multiple connection options and easy access
Audi
Plugging in the e-tron may not be required, however, as Audi also showcased a wireless charging setup last year
Audi
The batteries for the e-tron SUV will be produced at the Belgian plant alongside the vehicle, making it a completely in-house operation for manufacture
Audi
This conceptual battery build for the e-tron concept, shown at Frankfurt in 2015, details how the control electronics and casing may be designed
Audi
View gallery - 13 images

Audi is getting its production plant in Brussels ready to produce the first purely electric sport utility vehicle in its lineup. A rotation of line production for other models will make way for the Audi e-tron SUV, and the batteries that power it.

The models being shuffled around include the Audi Q7 and A1, currently built in the Belgian plant, both of which will shift to Spain. The Spanish plant currently produces the Audi Q3 and production for that will shift to Hungary. Audi says this movement of models will preserve workforce integrity while making way for the new SUV EV, which itself will fit between the large Audi Q7 and the midsize Audi Q5 ... so making us guess that model designation could be Audi Q6 e-tron.

This breakdown of the Audi e-tron SUV concept shows the powertrain's general layout
Audi

The e-tron SUV was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015. Three electric motors propel the all-electric car, which will have a range of over 311 miles per charge (500 kilometers). Audi plans to build the e-tron's high-capacity battery at the Brussels plant as well.

Battery production at the Belgian plant, Audi says, will also make it a key part of the Volkswagen Group's overall electrification strategy, potentially supplying batteries for other models in the Group's lines.

Source: Audi

View gallery - 13 images
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3 comments
Derek Howe
Tesla needs to shark more people from Audi, their cars looks great.
swaan
It's smaller than a Model X, isn't it?
I think by the time it comes out Tesla will have added 100 or even 110kWh pack options to S and X model series.
Anyway - competition is good. Let's hope it's not merely a compliance car and actually gets some support(marketing,accessiories,after-sales).
mhpr262
Will those 311 miles be EPA miles or NEDC miles? I suspect the latter. Which in practice will give the Audi much less usable range than the Tesla Model X.