Audi h-tron quattro concept unveiled at Detroit motor show

The new Audi h-tron quattro concept has made its world debut at the Detroit motor show.

The futuristic-looking SUV is being used to showcase the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell technology and is billed as being 'production relevant' rather than a pure concept car.

Athough the h-tron quattro shares some of its internal structure and electric powertrain technology with the all-electric e-tron quattro concept unveiled last year, many of the h-tron's features are brand new.

The SUV uses a hydrogen fuel cell stack to power two electric motors, giving a combined system output of 210kW, or 282bhp, and 406lb ft of torque. A small lithium ion battery pack can also provide an extra burst of electric power for short periods.

Audi says the h-tron quattro is capable of reaching 62mph from a standing start in less than seven seconds, before reaching a limited top speed of 124mph. The h-tron has a predicted range of 373 miles.

Drivers can select how much electrical energy is recuperated from driving by selecting one of two driving modes, named Gliding and Coasting. 

The h-tron quattro concept also features Audi's new four-wheel steering set-up – a feature first seen on the latest Q7 SUV. The system is designed to aid maneuverability at lower speeds. Other features include the full suite of driverless car technologies Audi is currently working on under its Piloted Driving research programme.

Inside, the concept features an all-digital instrument cluster, with seating for four and a boot capacity of 500 litres.

Although a concept car for now, there are plans to bring a production version of the h-tron quattro to market in around 2020.