AUDI explores hydrogen fuel cells with h-tron quattro concept at NAIAS 2016

AUDI explores hydrogen fuel cells with h-tron quattro concept at NAIAS 2016
all images courtesy of AUDI

at the north american international auto show (NAIAS) 2016 in detroit, in another major step AUDI revealed the ‘h-tron quattro concept’ displaying their path towards the future of mobility. whether with purely battery-powered drive, plug-in hybrid, combustion engine or hydrogen fuel cells, AUDI is researching all alternative drive technologies and will offer tailor made solutions for its customers worldwide. with the ‘h-tron quattro’, AUDI combined a highly efficient fuel cell to achieve an output of up to 110 kW with a powerful battery can provide a temporary boost of 100 kW. impressively, the car can be fully refueled with hydrogen in around four minutes, and ready to drive for up to 600 kilometers.

the concept presents the fifth generation of fuel cell technology from AUDI and volkswagen. lighter materials reduce the weight and improve performance, responsiveness, service life and efficiency. the ‘stack’ comprising of 330 individual fuel cells is housed in the forward structure and has an efficiency rating in excess of 60 percent, which now surpasses any combustion engine. the three hydrogen tanks are located beneath the passenger compartment or luggage compartment but not impact the interior. every tank is made up of several layers, the inner tank from gas-tight polyamide is wrapped in carbon fiber reinforced polymer and glass fiber strengthen. together the storage can handle 700 bar of pressure, and enough range for consistent daily commutes.

AUDI reduce the weight and improve performance, responsiveness, service life and efficiency

linked to the fuel cells are compact lithium-ion batteries designed for optimum power output. weighing less than 60 kilograms, the power source is located beneath the passenger compartment for an optimized center of gravity. it supplies up to 100 kW of power, with possibilities of recovering energy during braking. AUDI ‘h-tron quattro’ accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than seven seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h.

the power from the fuel cell and the high-voltage battery drives two electric motors, one located on the front axle with an output of 90 kW, the other at rear axle developing 140 kW. an intelligent management system controls the interplay between them as appropriate for the situation, placing maximum emphasis on efficiency. a heat pump for the interior air conditioning and a large solar roof that generates up to 320 watts, equivalent to adding up to 1,000 kilometers to the range annually.

the fuel cell and the high-voltage battery drives two electric motors

the exterior design of the five-door blends aesthetic appeal with aerodynamics. its silhouette that tapers strongly toward the rear, lends a dynamic character of a coupé. the flowing shoulder line forms distinctive sharp contours above the wheels as well as wide panels and angular side sills underscore the robust character of the car.

the hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain

AUDI added its matrix LED technology near the doors which emit white light when the driver approaches with the remote control key. the headlights are divided into two sections. the upper section generates the light using high-resolution matrix lasers. the lower section, which corresponds to the slats in the single frame grille, forming the lighting signature.

the front dashboard includes two high definition displays

the interior of the concept has a light and open feel to it. the three large displays in front of the driver are designed using OLED wafer thin films that can take on any shape. in addition, there are also two touch displays to the AUDI virtual cockpit. the large display on the right is for managing media and navigation, and also displays the drive system’s operating statuses.

the rear passenger compartment

through the ‘h-tron quattro’ concept, AUDI demonstrated the fine tuned piloted driving system (tested by designboom here) which is equipped with the latest radar sensors, video camera, ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner. the ‘zFAS’ processors compete the car’s surroundings in real time and makes this information available to the assistance system and the piloted driving program. they can assume driving tasks during parking or in stop-and-go traffic on freeways at speeds of up to 60 km/h. AUDI has been performing pioneering work in this domain for many years and in 2017 will be taking this technology into production for the first time ever with the next generation full-size sedans.

an addition two OLED displays incorporate touch sensitive controls the center console the AUDI ‘h-tron quattro’ concept at NAIAS 2016