Audi has introduced the Grandsphere concept at the IAA 2021. The Grandsphere electric sedan is second in the line of Audi’s three “sphere” concept cars. In August 2021, Audi unveiled the Skysphere concept to the world. The Skysphere concept introduced to the world the variable wheelbase. In the third part of the series, Audi will also unveil the Urbansphere concept. The brand has also announced that CARIAD, the Volkswagen Group’s software think tank, after 2025.
The Audi Grandsphere comes with a reversed concept. The door open front and back, and the concept car comes without a B-pillar. An innovative system, pathway identification, automatically detects passengers and opens the doors. The driver and passenger positions are automatically detected, and the cabin opens up to passengers as soon as they climb in. The car welcomes the passengers with individually staged displays and ambient light. The infotainment system also shows the relevant information separated on the driver and passenger sides. The Grandsphere also features large glass surfaces, an expansive windshield and a transparent ceiling. The Grandsphere is a 2+2 seater car with a two-person bench on the rear upholstered with an armrest that goes around the side.
On the outside, the Grandsphere measure 5.35 m (17.6 ft.) in length, 2 m (6.6 ft.) in width, and 1.39 m (4.6 ft.) and height. The car also comes with a 3.19 m (10.5 ft.) wheelbase. At this length, the Grandsphere also overshadows the current Audi A8, but the Grandsphere looks nothing like a traditional sedan. The Grandsphere also comes with a short overhang, a flat hood, and a windshield. The innovative Singleframe grille is shaped like a flat hexagon, and the headlights look like focussed eyes.
Powering the Audi Grandsphere is a 120 kWh of the battery module. The Audi Grandsphere features Premium Platform Electric or PPE. This helps achieves a flat battery layout as the entire vehicle base is between the axles. The Grandsphere will come with a high-performance electric motor that is able to produce a total output of 530 kW and a torque of 960 Nm.
The concept also comes with 800-volt charging technology. Audi has not revealed the full charging time, but charging with a 270 kW fast-charging station, the battery can be substantially charged in a very short time. Customers can charge the battery for 300 km of range in just 10 minutes. A 120 kWh battery can charge from 5 to 80 per cent in 25 minutes. The Grandsphere can return a range of 750 kilometres on a single charge.
Also Read: Audi reveals Skysphere electric luxury roadster concept