The futuristic Tesla Model X crossover, a car that’s due to make its debut in production form this year, is going to get a tough rival from Germany, in the form of the newly-approved Audi Q8 e-tron SUV/crossover that has reportedly just been given the green light.
It’s apparently coming in 2017 with a derivative of the electric powertrain revived in the reheated R8 e-tron project.
The problem of all-electric range will be addressed the same way Tesla did, by giving a massive battery pack (at least 80 kWh). Autocar’s report explains that the Q8 would be one of several models designed to expand the Q lineup – the Q8 would be underpinned by the same architecture as the upcoming all-new and lighter Q7 (pictured in the spy photos below); an SQ8 is also planned.
Engineers working on the project are said to be aiming for an autonomy figure of 370 miles, or close to 600 km.
We will bring you more on this matter as soon as we hear something!
Note: Next-gen Q7 spy shots posted below
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
