Audi is currently working on an electric-powered SUV to challenge the Model X electric SUV of Tesla Motors, and the German automobile manufacturer has confirmed that LG Chem and Samsung SDI, units of Korean corporate giants LG and Samsung, respectively, will be supplying battery cells for the vehicle.
Named the Q6 e-tron, a preview of the electric SUV in concept form will be showcased at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show in September, with the vehicle looking to be released by Audi within 2018.
Audi will be helping LG Chem and Samsung SDI in developing the cells, which will provide the Q6 e-tron with a range of at least 310 miles. LG Chem and Samsung SDI will be manufacturing the cells in their plants located in Europe.
The design of the battery cells are geared towards high performance, with an early version of the technology to be used in the Q6 e-tron to be included in the R8 e-tron electric car that will be released to the market next year. The 92 kWh capacity battery for the R8 e-tron, according to Audi, will provide the driver of the electric sedan with a range reaching around 280 miles.
The ranges that have been mentioned by Audi, however, are almost surely based on the testing cycle in Europe, which leads to higher driving range ratings compared to the EPA tests in the United States. A reasonable figure for the driving range of the Q6 e-tron would be about 240 miles, while that of the R8 e-tron would be around 220 miles.
"Together with our South Korean development partners, we are bringing production of the latest battery‑cell to the EU and strengthening European industry with this key technology," said Bernd Martens, the procurement chief for Audi, in a statement.
Martens added that the car manufacturer will integrate the cell modules that will be developed with LG Chem and Samsung SDI optimally into the vehicle architecture of the company to create a package that combines range and sportiness in its upcoming electric vehicles.
Samsung SDI is relatively new to the battery sector, but LG Chem was one of the first companies to enter the emerging industry of manufacturing lithium-ion cells for electric cars.
Along with Panasonic, which has Tesla Motors has its main customer, LG Chem has grown into one of the top suppliers in the world for automotive battery cells.LG CHem won a contest in 2009 to supply batteries to the first model of the Chevrolet Volt, and has since secured contracts with several companies including Ford, Hyundai, Renault, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Samsung SDI, on the other hand, also has some significant deals in place, such as being the supplier for BMW and Ferrari.
Photo: Michael Moran-Diaz | Flickr
