It isn't saying a whole lot about the vehicle itself just yet, but Audi announced yesterday that it is partnering with LG and Samsung on a new all-electric sport utility vehicle with a range that the German automaker hopes will give it a broader appeal.
As you might have guessed, the partnership is focused specifically on the vehicle's battery, which LG and Samsung will be providing the cell modules for. According to Audi, the goal is a range of 500 kilometers (or 310 miles) on a charge although, as Wired notes, that number is based on European standards -- its US EPA rating would likely knock the number down a bit, but still keep it well within an impressive range for an SUV.
According to Audi's brief statement on the news, the company's goal is to combine "emission‑free drive system with driving pleasure," and provide an "attractive overall package of sportiness and range." When we'll get a picture of exactly what that package will entail remains to be seen, although Autoblog reports that the vehicle is the so-called C-BEV model that showed up in a leak earlier this summer, and may make an appearance as a concept vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
