Audi Q6 e-Tron All-Electric 'Coupe SUV' Confirmed For 2018

Over the next few years, the German luxury establishment--including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche--is expected to launch a barrage of electric car models in a belated attempt to take on startup Tesla Motors.

For some time, it's been understood that one of those models will be an all-electric SUV from Audi.

The carmaker now says that the model will arrive in 2018, as part of a significant expansion of its product lineup.

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During its annual meeting this week, Audi confirmed it will launch a "sporty SUV with electric drive."

This model was discussed at last year's meeting, and will likely be called the Q6 e-tron when it enters production.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler previously said the vehicle will have a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles), calling that distance a "must."

That figure likely refers to range as measured on the European testing cycle, though. The rated range of the Audi Q6 on the U.S. EPA cycle might come closer to 250 miles.

That would put it just above the base Tesla Model S 70D, which is rated at 240 miles.

Of course, the Q6's real rival will be the Tesla Model X, which the Silicon Valley company says will launch later this year.