奧迪公司日前發布了一張全電動SUV概念車的照片。像其他豪車制造商今年發布的全電動車型一樣，媒體現在已經給這款車型冠上了“特斯拉殺手”的名號。

奧迪聲稱，這款e-tronquattro概念車是一款運動型SUV，它也是奧迪公司首款即將大規模量產的電動汽車。據悉，奧迪將在下月的2015法蘭克福國際車展上正式展出這款車型，并將于2018年投入量產。

其他豪華汽車廠商相比，無論從規模、銷量還是從員工數量而言，我們都可以用“袖珍”二字來形容特斯拉公司。比如，特斯拉汽車今年的預計出貨量是5萬臺，而單單今年7月份，奧迪就賣出了14.6萬臺汽車。

由于特斯拉在豪華型全電動汽車領域大獲成功，包括通用、寶馬、保時捷、奔馳和奧迪在內的各大主流廠商都在積極進軍這一市場。同時為了遵守歐洲的排放規定，很多廠商都在研發電動或插電式混動車型。這款奧迪概念車似乎主要是面向北美市場開發的，因為該地區的SUV銷量一直在持續飆升。但問題是，這款e-tronquattro是否將成為特斯拉SUV車型Model X的直接競爭對手？后者將于今年9月份正式上市。

這個問題的答案，恐怕我們要等到e-tronquattro投入量產后才能知道，也就說至少要等到2018年。也就是說，特斯拉還有兩年多的時間在全電動SUV領域搶占市場先機。

奧迪e-tronquattro的電池續航里程能達到500公里以上。本月初，奧迪、三星和LG Chem表示，他們將合作開發一款專供全電動SUV的電池，據稱該電池的續航里程也是這個距離。通過此次合作，三星電機和LG Chem將在他們的歐洲工廠為奧迪生產電池，同時三星和LG Chem也將投資歐洲的電池技術。

關于這款概念車，還有幾點需要指出：首先，它不是奧迪現有SUV的改款，而是一款從頭設計的電動車型。和特斯拉的Model S一樣，其底部完全閉合，從而更符合空氣動力學原理。該車型的傳動系統是基于奧迪R8 etron跑車改進的。整車裝配了三臺電動馬達，一臺在前軸，兩臺在后軸，為整臺汽車提供動力。

奧迪e-tronquattro與特斯拉Model X的一個主要區別是它的座位。奧迪e-tronquattro可以容納4人乘坐，但Model X則最多可容納7人。（財富中文網）

譯者：樸成奎

審校：任文科

Audi released a teaser photo of an all-electric SUV concept car this morning and like every other luxury all-electric vehicle to be unveiled in the past year, it’s already being called a Tesla killer by the media.

The e-tron quattro concept vehicle, described by Audi as a sporty SUV, is the company’s first large-series electric car. Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group VLKAY -0.94% , will unveil the e-tron quattro concept at the International Motor Show 2015 to be held next month in Frankfurt. The SUV will go into series production beginning in 2018, Audi says.

Tesla Motors is diminutive—in size, sales, and employees—compared with its luxury automaker counterparts. For example, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company is expected to deliver 50,000 cars this year. Audi sold 146,000 vehicles in July alone.

And yet major automakers, including General Motors GM -0.25% , BMW, Porsche, Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit and Audi all seem to be responding to Tesla’s TSLA -2.10% success in building a luxury all-electric vehicle people want to drive.

Many of these automakers are developing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to comply with emissions regulations in Europe. However, Audi’s new project seems geared more for North America, where SUV sales continue to soar. But will it offer U.S. buyers an alternative to Tesla’s gulf-winged Model X SUV, which customers who preordered are expecting to be delivered in September?

We won’t really know until the Audi e-tron quattro goes into production, which isn’t expected to begin until 2018. That gives Tesla more than two years to gain market share in the all-electric SUV segment.

The Audi e-tron quattro SUV will have a battery range of more than 500 kilometers, or about 310 miles. This is the same range that was floated earlier this month when Audi, Samsung, and LG Chem said they were teaming up to develop a battery designed for an all-electric SUV. Under that deal, LG Chem LGCLF -39.13% and Samsung SDI SSNLF -3.06% will supply Audi with batteries produced at their European plants. The South Korean tech companies will also invest in cell technology in Europe.

A couple of notes about this concept car: Audi isn’t modifying an existing SUV. This concept car was designed from the ground up as an electric car. The underbody is completely closed—just like Tesla’s Model S—which makes it more aerodynamic. The drive system is based on the Audi R8 e-tron sports car. Three electric motors—one on the front axle and two on the rear axle—drive the Audi e-tron quattro concept.

Seating is one major difference between the Audi e-tron quattro and the Model X. The Audi e-tron quattro will have space for four people, while the Model X has seating for up to seven people.