Audi Plans To Pummel Tesla's Model X With 310 Mile All Electric SUV

Best wishes, Audi. I mean that sincerely!

You'll have to do a lot better than your costly Q5 hybrid, which gets poorer fuel economy and worse cost per mile than the less expensive and better performing 3.0 liter diesel variant.

the Q5 Hybrid is a joke and never meant to be an efficient hybrid. It only had a 1mpg improvement over the regular 2.0T. They just needed a "green" car in their lineup, or to appeal to the performance hybrid shopper.

Finally an SUV from Audi that looks bold.

1. I don't believe anything Audi says about release dates .. 2018? Try 2020 in real life in any real production numbers. 2. This Audi will be starting at $110,000.. and optioned out to $160,000. The Model X probably starts at $80k. 3. Actual real life range will probably be about the same as a Tesla. ..except Tesla has a nationwide Supercharger network already in place. Audi does not, nor are there any released plans for one. Audi's hybrid electric cars so far have been just awful. Awful. By the time 2020 rolls around, there will be a Model S II, Model X, and Model 3.

Not to give VAG "green" creed (they love to trash-talk Tesla, who doesn't), but both the Jetta Hybrid and the eGolf seem to be liked by their owners. Don't think the question is whether VAG is able to make compelling electrified vehicles, the question is why are they not willing to do so.

I'd go with the Audi, simply because Audi actually has experience designing and engineering car and Tesla is just beginning the learning curve.

MDarringer: I'd agree with you, but with the proviso that Audi actually turns out something good. Do far, their hybrids leave a lot to be desired and their pure EVs and little more than proof of concepts, so they're not a direct competitor to Tesla.

Grrr. Typos:
"Do far" -> "SO far"
"pure EVs and little more" -> "pure EVs ARE little more"

My kingdom for an Edit button :-(

IF Audi does introduce their vehicle - then this will be the MAJOR test of the monopoly of Tesla - including no price negotiations and a single source of parts (I can get dealer parts for most makes from a number of dealers and other sources that compete on price). The Audi only has to come close in price - and the dealers will negotiate to get the sale - will Tesla have to respond in the same manner? And this is only ONE area where competition will be - within the next three years - there will be a number of new competitive vehicles in other price ranges.

Again - I point out that since Tesla refuses to issue information to allow an owner to reset his computer on his car - and requires the cars to be returned to a Tesla service center to do so - will make their cars less desirable to dealers of other brands - if they take them in trade at all. A car dealer normally depends on the ability of his own service department to bring a car to condition for sale. IF they cannot do so - or if Tesla doesn't "approve" certain repairs - which they have done already - and won't reset the computers - then the cars will be worthless.