Tech

Meet Audi's awesome Tesla killer

Cadie Thompson

2015-09-13T11:47:21Z

Tesla will begin delivery of its all-new Model X SUV at the end of this month, but Audi is going to make its best effort to steal the show.

The German automaker is expected to unveil its Model X rival next week at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt. The vehicle will be the company's first large-series, all-electric car and it was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle.

Audi, which is a subsidiary of Volkswagen, revealed some details about its new e-tron quattro electric vehicle last month and from what we know so far it sounds pretty impressive.

Here are six things we already know about the potential Tesla competitor.

Audi is working with Samsung and LG to build the batteries for its new electric SUV. The Audi e-tron SUV will have a range of 310 miles. Tesla’s Model X has a range of 240 miles on a single charge.

The new SUV features three electric motors, one on the front axle and two on the rear axle. Tesla’s Model X all-wheel drive system will have two motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear wheels.

Even though Audi’s new electric car is an SUV, it will only seat four people. Tesla’s Model X can seat up to seven.

While Tesla’s Model X is expected to be delivered at the end of this month, Audi’s SUV isn’t going into production until 2018. So Tesla already has a two-year head start on the luxury SUV all-electric market.

Like Tesla’s Model S, the German carmaker's new SUV will have an enclosed underside, making it more aerodynamic.

Also like Tesla’s vehicles, the infotainment center will be a full touchscreen interface. The two rear-passengers in the Audi e-tron quattro will also have their own touchscreen displays.