Like its intended rival the Model X, the E-Tron Quattro Concept will be a battery-electric vehicle which Audi claims to have “at least 500km [311 miles]” of range.

The design follows the “Aerosthetics” concept from Audi, which combines technical measures to reduce drag while incorporating a creative design to the vehicle. That includes movable aerodynamic elements at the front, on the sides, and at the rear to improve air flow around the auto.

Audi’s teaser sketches also show a four-seat interior (that battery hump precludes a back-middle seat), with a fancy-schmancy OLED-based touchscreen interface allowing individual climate controls for each passenger.

The news was released by the German carmaker Audi itself.

Tesla has not yet revealed the electric range for its Model X crossover. The vehicle’s power will come from two independent and digitally controlled electric motors.

The Audi e-tron Quattro Concept features a large lithium-ion battery pack located in between the axes. Audi says “the concept is a vision of the first all-electric Audi SUV planned for future production in 2018”.

Los Angeles Times noted that the company will offer one of the “best aerodynamics” in any SUV with a closed underbody. The all-wheel drive electric SUV will be capable of 500 kilometres on a single charge. The SUV’s length is going to be somewhere between that of the mid-range Audi Q5 and the Q7. The electric drivetrain, for its part, was developed using knowledge gained in the development of the R8 e-tron electric supercar. However, Audi’s new project seems geared more for North America, where SUV sales continue to rise.

Tesla originally said it would start manufacturing the Model X at the end of 2013, with sales to begin previous year, but the program is behind schedule.

The concept will provide an early look at the first ever Q6 crossover coupe which will be available initially exclusively with an electric powertrain.