Audi Unveils Three Concepts in Monterey
Audi has chosen Monterey Car Week to bring together the three concept vehicles that showcase the automaker's vision for the future of mobility. The Audi grandsphere, the Audi skysphere and the Audi urbansphere, are being brought together on the Monterey Peninsula for the prestigious The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering event. During this event, Audi announced the imminent arrival (early 2023) of a fourth concept called activesphere, which is positioned in the Allroad niche.
Stemming from the Artemis project launched by Audi to accelerate the development of new vehicles, the grandsphere concept foreshadows a possible production model whose arrival on the market is expected somewhere during 2025. Described by the brand as "a private jet for the road," the grandsphere concept measures 17.6 feet in length and ushers in the visual language that will be put forward by Audi in the near future.
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Obviously, this concept is fully electric, with two motors driving each axle, which are powered by a 120-kilowatt/hour battery housed in the floor. The brand says the combine output sits at 530 kilowatts, which equates to 710 horsepower, while torque is rated at 960 Newton meters or 708 pound-feet. The anticipated range is 750 kilometres for this specific concept, which will also feature Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities under certain driving conditions.
Autonomous Driving as A Game-Changer
According to Oliver Hoffmann, a member of Audi's technical development group, the next decade will be the one in which the automobile will undergo the greatest evolution in its history, and Level 4 autonomous driving will be the most important innovation, one that Hoffmann calls a game-changer. Autonomous driving saves occupants time, according to Hoffmann, by letting the car act on its own to focus on other tasks. That explains why the grandsphere concept houses a cabin with first-class comfort.
All seats can be reclined for relaxation or work when the driver activates Level 4 autonomous driving, with the steering wheel and pedals retracting into the dashboard and floor. Screens are very popular in new cars – and they seem to be getting larger and larger. In this concept, there are no screens, but rather a wood-paneled surface under the windshield onto which the information is projected. If the driver is in control of the car, driving information is visible, but is replaced by a cinemascope-style projection that allows multimedia content to be viewed across the full width of the dashboard when the car is in autonomous driving mode.
Stylistically, the Grandphere concept has the classic proportions of a Grand Touring car, and its particular shapes have been dictated by aerodynamics to enhance its autonomy. The concept is also based on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric), which is shared with Porsche, and heralds the imminent arrival of a new luxury electric car in the same niche as Audi's current A8.
Audi Skysphere with Adjustable Wheelbase
Created by designer Gaël Buzyn, who is in charge of the Audi Design Loft in Malibu, the skysphere concept with electric mobility is innovative because it is actually two cars in one. In GT mode, the skysphere concept is 5.19 meters long, with a wheelbase comparable to that of the A8L luxury sedan.
When the driver chooses the Sport configuration, the length of the vehicle is reduced to 4.94 meters, while the wheelbase becomes similar to that of an RS 5. The styling of the Audi skysphere concept evokes "a sculpture in motion," according to Gaël Buzyn. The French designer says the car heralds a new design language for the Ingolstadt-based brand, one that displays "muscular fluidity."
The Sky Sphere concept also pays homage to the famous Horch 853 1930s roadster, with its antagonistically opening doors.
A Rear-Wheel-Drive Concept
The Audi skysphere is powered by a single electric motor with 623 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, which drives the rear wheels exclusively. The battery has two modules: one behind the seats and the other between the two seats in the center. Its capacity ranks in at over 80 kWh, which allows for an anticipated range of 500 kilometres. The weight of the skysphere concept is estimated at 1,800 kilos, with 60% of this mass resting on the rear axle.
The suspension pneumatic and adaptative, and the four-wheel active steering is electronically controlled rather than mechanically. Like the grandsphere concept, the skysphere also features Level 4 autonomous driving.
Audi Urbansphere, A Haven in The City
Designed for China's megacities, the electric urbansphere concept is presented as a third living space, after the home and office. Also built on the PPE platform, it is 5.6 metres long, 2.0 metres wide and 1.8 metres high with a wheelbase of 3.4 metres.
At first glance, a new interpretation of the Singleframe grille is noticeable, which is imposing but not aggressive. It goes along with the tapered headlights and widened fenders. This concept is powered by two electric motors for AWD capability. The interior is a true living room on wheels with seats that have semi-circular headrests for privacy.
The seats can be adjusted in a variety of ways, allowing passengers to work on board or relax while watching multimedia content on the oversized screens located in the cabin, and the second row has a floating console that even covers a minibar. While this concept was designed with Chinese customers in mind, an eventual production model could possibly be offered in other markets, including Europe and North America.
This trio of concepts clearly signals the German manufacturer's intentions and vision for the car of the future.