FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Audi names self-driving SUV

The concept battery-electric SUV that Audi unveiled at the Shanghai motor show in April has been reborn.

Now named Elaine, the SUV concept formerly known as the e-tron Sportback retains its three-motor battery-electric powertrain, but incorporates self-driving (autonomous motoring) technology for it to go places with minimal human intervention.

Equipped with an upgraded version of the zFAS controller for the new A8's Traffic Jam Pilot, Elaine can maintain level-four autonomous operation on freeways. This allows the driver to remain nominally in control, but leave the car to change lanes when it recognises it's being slowed by traffic directly ahead, as one example of the technology at work.

In essence, Elaine can park itself (herself) in designated autonomous zones, in a multi-story car park, for instance. The driver doesn't have to be in the car at the time. On-board comms equipment keeps Elaine in touch with V2X (vehicle –to-anything) infrastructure for purposes such as this.

Audi is hinting that if Elaine is well received, and all practical obstacles are overcome, the SUV could go into production as one of three battery-electric vehicles the company plans to launch by 2020.