Audi Shows Sporty SUV EV Concept

Audi plans to produce a battery-electric "sporty SUV" in 2018 that would offer 310 miles of range in a compact package, the company announced Aug. 19.

The automaker will show the Audi e-tron quattro (all-wheel drive) concept vehicle at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt that runs from Sept. 17-27.

The vehicle now has a drag coefficient (CD value) of 0.25 with an "aerodynamically optimized underbody," according to an Audi release. Its length slots the vehicle between Audi's Q5 and Q7 SUVs. It will have room for four people.

The vehicle's drive system, which is based on the Audi R8 e-tron sports car, uses three electric motors including one on the front axle and two on the rear axle.