A ZERO emission SUV with a range of more than 300 miles is being developed by Audi and is slated for production in 2018.

The e-tron quattro will be revealed in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Using technology from Audi's high performance R8 e-tron electric sports car, the quattro is driven by three motors - one on the front axle and two at the rear.

With aerodynamic styling Audi says the e-tron quattro will have a potential range of 310 miles and will become the German brand's first large electric vehicle when it enters production in the next three years.

The car is designed as a four seater and is sized to sit between the Audi Q5 and Q7 models. An advanced organic LED array is used in the instruments to keep energy consumption onboard to a minimum.

To aid dynamics and create a low centre of gravity, Audi has slung the e-tron quattro's lithium-ion battery pack below the cabin and the car has a been given a coupe-like body to assist streamlining.