There were two big reveals at the Audi stand in Detroit today, one a forward-looking concept and the other a practical and realistic model that we will be driving in the years to come.
First, a taste of the future that Audi envisions. The H-tron Quattro concept is an alternate version of the battery powered E-tron quattro, this time with an advanced hydrogen fuel cell that powers dual electric motors – one on each axle (90 kW in front and 140 in back) for some electrified all-wheel drive. The Hydrogen fuel cell power unit offers 148 hp, and power is also stored in a lithium-ion battery that can add 134 hp to the mix for short bursts, allowing it to knock off 100 km/h in under seven seconds. The hydrogen fuel tanks can be filled quicker than most battery charging systems, and theoretically offer a range of up to 600 km. Hydrogen fuel, however, is not readily available in Canada, and only in select areas of California, so this car is more of a technology study than a viable consumer product at this stage.
Also on display in the H-tron Quattro is Audi's vision of a Future interior, with high-resolution, razor-sharp graphics in a laser-cut interior that mixes bespoke seating and design with the latest version of Audi's Virtual Cockpit with dual screens and touch-panel controls in front and second rows. Other technology includes semi-autonmous driver assistance suites like Piloted Driving and Parking and a host of other safety systems.
A far more realistic and enticing concept is the A4 Allroad Quattro, a jacked-up wagon based on the all-new 2017 A4. To arrive at the Allroad, Audi added 34 mm of ground clearance, standard Quattro AWD and some grey plastic body cladding to the European-only A4 Avant. Like the new A4, the Allroad is equipped with an upgraded 2.0TFSI making 252 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm paired exclusively with the seven-speed S tronic. The A4 Allroad Quattro is no slouch either, sprinting from 0–100 km/h in a mere 6.1 seconds, its top speed, which you will likely never see, is an Autobahn-approved 246 km/h. The interior also follows the A4, with the latest generation MMI operating interface, a host of preventive safety driver aids, improved rear seat space and a generous cargo capacity of 505 L in the trunk and 1,510 L with the rear seats folded
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