Report: Electric Audi Q6 Arriving by 2018 With 310 Miles of Range

Audi confirmed last month that it will produce an electric crossover, and now we have a few more clues on what to expect for the car that will likely be called the Q6. Speaking withAuto Express, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said the model will be available by 2018 to coincide with the arrival of a stronger charging infrastructure.

Stadler said that achieving a range of 500 km, or 310 miles, "is a must." "Now with our engineers and our battery-cell suppliers we are at a stage where we can say, yes, this is feasible and we believe that with the ongoing investments in terms of infrastructure development we think that 2018-2019 is the right time to come up with such a car," he noted. Good news for the Q6 and other EVs: China is expected to rapidly expand the charging network along its highways and Europe just may follow suit, Stadler says.

The Audi boss promises the Q6 will be "sexy," "sporty," and "packed with utility." The Audi Q6 is poised to take on the Tesla Model X, which could arrive a lot sooner. On its website, Tesla estimates that customers who reserve a model now will have it delivered by early 2016.

The Q6 isn't the only new crossover coming to the Audi lineup. As we reported last month, Audi has also confirmed a Q8 model, which will be offered as a sporty Q variant. According to Stadler, it will be more expensive than the new Q7.

Source: Auto Express