Audi h-tron quattro concept - fuel cell SUV debuts

Static photo,
Colour: Citrine yellow

Present at the North American International Auto Show is the Audi h-tron quattro concept. The hydrogen-powered concept SUV features a range of tech similar to the Audi e-tron quattro concept, this includes piloted drive and a host of OLED displays (including a curved instrument cluster) for the interior.

Dimension-wise, the h-tron quattro concept measures 4,880 mm long, 1,930 mm wide and 1,540 mm tall. It sits on the same second-generation modular longitudinal platform (MLB Evo) as the Audi e-tron quattro concept and carries a similar design too. Exterior-wise, it is fitted with high-res Matrix Laser Light tech.

Complementing the daytime running lights are flat OLEDs that radiate blue lights to the sides and upwards. The sills come with a light strip in Matrix LED tech, which will change in colour when the vehicle is in piloted mode. Interestingly, while the Audi e-tron quattro concept achieves a drag coefficient of 0.25 Cd, the h-tron here, achieves 0.27 Cd instead.

Drivetrain

Underneath the h-tron quattro is a fuel-cell technology that takes about four minutes to fill up. The stack, housed in the front, comprises of 330 individual cells. Three hydrogen tanks are fitted beneath the passenger or luggage compartment and can supply hydrogen for a travel range of up to 600 km. The tanks are made of several layers, gas-tight polyamide for the inner tank, wrapped in carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP).

Apart from the fuel cell, a compact lithium-ion battery that weighs less than 60 kg is beneath the passenger compartment. It provides short bursts of power up to 134 hp. Power supplied from the fuel cell and high-voltage battery additionally drives two electric motors – a 120 hp unit at the front axle and a 140 hp unit at the rear axle – controlled by an intelligent management system, that emphasises on efficiency.

All-in-all, the h-tron makes a total of 550 Nm of system torque. It goes from 0-100 km/h in less than seven seconds, while top-speed is capped to 200 km/h. Based on the NEDC cycle, the SUV claims one kg of hydrogen per 100 kms. That said, a heat pump for the interior and a solar roof that generates up to 320 watts, adds 1,000 km to the total annual range.

Furthermore, the concept features radar and ultrasonic sensors, a new kind of video camera and a laser scanner – for piloted driving. All information gathered from the sensors is processed by a central driver assistance system (zFAS). The same system as in the e-tron quattro concept, it allows the SUV to handle parking and stop-and-go traffic on highways at speeds of up to 60 km/h.

Inside, there’s 500 litres or luggage space, while two large displays and a Audi virtual cockpit curved LED are for the driver. Here, the piloted driving systems are controlled via the left OLED display. Gesture controls are also present inside, while curved displays found on the front section of the door plays its roles as digital exterior side mirrors. In the rear, Audi tablets with OLED displays are also fitted, and serve as a mobile rear seat entertainment system.