Audi reveals hydrogen H-Tron Quattro Concept at Detroit Auto Show

Audi has continued its roll-out of alternative drive concepts with the unveiling of the H-Tron Quattro at the Detroit motor show yesterday. The new model is described as a production-relevant hydrogen fuel cell SUV that draws heavily on the contemporary platform structure, electric drivetrain architecture and battery technology of the earlier E-Tron Quattro concept. The FCV promises zero-emission compatibility, a refuelling time of just four minutes using the latest in hydrogen fuelling technology and an impressive 378-mile range, as well as a 0-62mph time of less than seven seconds, a restricted 124mph top speed and the ability to run in front-wheel drive mode at typical urban speeds. The vehicle has been created to showcase a fifth-generation fuel cell stack under development at Audi’s Ingolstadt engineering headquarters in Germany, which is tentatively planned for introduction on a production version of the H-Tron Quattro in 2020. Images of the concept can be seen here.

DETROIT -- Audi surprised attendees of the North American International Auto Show with a new hydrogen fuel cell-powered concept called the "h-tron quattro" concept.

Audi h-tron quattro concept Credit: Audi

The h-tron bit of the name is Audi's code for hydrogen models in its range, and quattro refers to the car's all-wheel drive system, which, in this case, is all-electric. Think of this -- and all hydrogen cars -- as an electric car you can refuel in four minutes. In the case of this Audi h-tron quatro, it can do 378 miles on a tank of hydrogen and 0 to 62 mph in less than 7 seconds.

Electric power generated by the onboard fuel cell is put to the pavement through two electric motors in the front and rear of the car. And with an electric all-wheel drive system, it should be exceptionally capable in terms of traction. That's because electric motors can add and subtract torque to the wheels in a split second. With quick-reacting traction, there are probably few conditions this eco-friendly crossover couldn't handle.

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Although neither you nor I will be able to drive the h-tron quattro, Audi reassures us that it features the brand's latest piloted (self-driving) technology that will go into the production version of the next-generation full-size A8 sedan.

The system uses Nvidia computer chips, fed by cameras and radar sensors to create a realtime image of the car's surroundings. Think of creating a video game in reverse instead of creating a world and displaying it digitally, the car's computers take our world and create a digital structure of it.

It then feeds this rendering of our real world out to the driver support systems that react accordingly -- all in a split second. The system will work in stop-and-go freeway traffic up to 37 mph at first. Surely, other more robust systems will follow the A8. Although it's not saying yet, Audi is likely planning a production h-tron model for the future, too.