Every year, the Detroit Auto Show attracts the world’s leading automakers and hosts numerous world debuts and for 2016, it is shaping up to be no different particularly if the latest reports about Audi are correct.
According to German publication Autobild, Audi is planning on launching a concept in Detroit dubbed the h-tron quattro. It is suggested that the car will be almost identical to the e-tron quattro concept from Frankfurt except for one key element. Rather than being powered by a totally electric powertrain, the h-tron is said to utilise a fuel-cell powerplant.
Audi has experience with fuel-cell powered concepts having launched the A7 h-tron quattro late last year. It utilised a 300-cell power unit delivering 360 volts combined with a small turbocharger and an 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery under the floor. All told, the A7 h-tron quattro was able to deliver about 300 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, with all that power being funnelled through the four wheels.
At this stage, it remains unclear if the crossover-shaped h-tron quattro concept will utilise an identical powertrain. Given its increased size, there’s a good chance such a fuel-cell could be expanded to provide even more power and torque.
As for the original e-tron quattro concept from Frankfurt, created to preview the all-electric Model X-rivalling Q6 e-tron crossover, it had 496 hp and 590 lb-ft at its disposal thanks to three electric motors and a large lithium-ion battery.
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