Audi has revealed the urbansphere concept car. The Audi urbansphere is the third car in the brand’s “sphere” series. The first two are the Audi skysphere and Audi grandsphere. According to sources, the car’s production version will eventually go on sale in China. The urbansphere, like the other two concepts, is designed around level-four autonomous driving capabilities.
Audi urbansphere – Design
The urbansphere is the biggest vehicle by Audi to date. The largest Audi currently is the Q7 SUV. The urbansphere is almost 500mm longer than the Audi Q7. At the front, instead of a traditional grille, is an octagonal visor which consists of an LED light surface. Audi calls this surface the ‘Audi Light Canvas’. Additionally, the rear of the car features the same surface.
The manufacturer says the urbansphere targets megacities, in particular, the Chinese market. The car’s design was finalised after a ‘co-creation’ approach with the company’s design studios in Beijing. The company also took into account the ‘human needs’ of actual customers from the city.
Audi says the result is a “completely new approach” to car design. The German brand also adds that the car was designed inside out. The centre stage of the development was customers’ interior requirements.
Audi urbansphere – Interior highlights
The car features counter-hinged doors at the front and back. Additionally, the lack of a B-pillar means you walk into the car. When the car’s doors open, a “red carpet of light” on the ground to welcome you. The company says the car can act as a lounge or as a mobile office.
While keeping the autonomous driving technology in mind, the urbansphere’s steering wheel, pedals, and dashboard all go away from your sight. Audi’s level four functions even include picking up passengers from home, locating a parking spot and charging the battery. In addition to this, the urbansphere can even make dinner reservations or shop online.
Another one of the highlights is the rotating seats. The concept car has two rows of seats which can form a communal area for the driver and passengers. The occupants have ample headroom and also speakers in each of the headrests and screens.
The passengers have access to a large ‘cinema screen’. The screen is OLED and is also transparent. The screen pivots down from the roof vertically. Passengers can use the screen to watch movies or do video conferences. The urbansphere also features technology to detect stress levels, do voice analysis and facial scans to figure out the passenger’s feelings. The system then uses the data to suggest ways to relax.
Audi urbansphere – Powertrain
Powering the urbansphere are two electric motors on the front and rear axles. The dual electric motor setup produces a maximum power of 400 HP. The urbansphere utilises a 120 kWh battery and offers a range of up to 749 km. The concept is also capable of fast charging up to 270 kW. This fast-charging capability lets the car charge from 5 per cent to 80 per cent in under 25 minutes.
The urbansphere rides on 24-inch wheels and also gets rear-wheel steering. Furthermore, the adaptive air suspension offers a comfortable ride in various scenarios.
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