Audi is building an electric SUV to take on Tesla — and it just became available for pre-order (TSLA)

Newspress

Tesla's Model S and Model X are soon going to have some serious competition.  

In September 2015, Audi revealed its all-electric e-tron quattro concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The SUV, which is slated to come to market by 2018, will have three electric motors, a range of about 300 miles on a single charge, and quick charging capabilities. 

The company has not yet given a final price for the vehicle, but on Monday Audi opened up reservations to buyers in Norway. Customers in the country can pay about $2,500 to reserve the car. 

Here's a look at some of the features in the e-tron quattro concept that we hope to see in the production version. 

Like the e-tron concept, Audi will most likely include piloted driving technology in its upcoming all-electric SUV.

YouTube/Audi

The e-tron quattro concept has piloted driving technology, which uses radar sensors, a video camera, ultrasonic sensors, and a laser scanner to collect data about the car’s environment and create a model of the vehicle’s surroundings in real-time.

Audi currently has a lot of this tech in its newer vehicles, so it's likely we will see a more advanced piloted system in the production version of the e-tron quattro. 

 

Cameras could replace side view mirrors.

Audi

The e-tron quattro has curved displays built into the front section of the doors that lets the driver view what is around them. There's no guarantee we'll see this in the production version, but automakers are beginning to experiment with new kinds of mirror designs. 

For example, GM's a digital mirror in the Chevy Bolt and the Cadillac CT6 that uses cameras to stream whatever is behind you. 

It will likely be covered in screens.

Audi

The e-tron quattro concept features two touch displays in the cockpit, one to the driver's left to control lights and the piloted driving systems and one to the right where media and navigation is controlled. 

The center console has two more OLED displays for climate control and infotainment. 

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