Audi has entered the world of hydrogen fueling with its new h-tron quattro Concept revealed at this year’s Detroit auto show. The h-tron plans to provide drivers with a low energy consumption, swift refueling and sporty road performance by giving it a 600 km range, four minute refueling time and a 210 kW power output.
Based on the Audi e-tron revealed at Frankfurt last year, this hydrogen variant also uses an evolved version of the MLB architecture. The h-tron represents Audi and Volkswagen’s fifth generation of hydrogen technology and makes use of lighter materials to improve weight, performance and efficiency.
The h-tron makes use of three hydrogen tanks located beneath the passenger and luggage compartment. Each tank is made of a gas-tight polyamide wrapped in carbon fiber, reinforced polymer and glass fiber reinforced polymer and can maintain 700 bars of pressure which is how the h-tron gets its 600 km range.
The standard running power output of the h-tron is 110 kW but thanks to a compact lithium-ion battery weighing 60 kg an extra surge of 100 kW can be delivered when bursts of acceleration are needed. Together with the 550 N.m of torque the h-tron is able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in under seven seconds and continue to its limited top speed of 200 km/h. The fuel cells drive two electric motors; a front axle producing 90 kW and a rear one producing 140 kW.
Cooling within the cabin is done by a heat pump powered by a set of solar panels placed on the roof generating up to 320 watts in an aid to curb efficiency even further. Consumption on the h-tron is set at 1 kg of hydrogen per 100 km with zero emissions.
The h-tron also features piloted driving aids which makes use of radar sensors, video cameras, ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanners. This equipment is planned to be developed and implemented in the upcoming A8.
The interior of the h-tron is what you would expect from a concept car. The cabin is filled with OLED displays which make up the gauges, infotainment system and climate controls. Despite being somewhat of a large SUV it will only seat four people.