Audi lifts the lid on activesphere concept
Ever wanted an electric Audi Allroad luxury coupe that turns into a pick-up? Today's your lucky day...
Though they may have passed you by, there have been quite a few Audi ‘sphere’ concepts in recent years, previewing the brand’s autonomous, electrified future where a drive is as much about the passenger experience as anything else. Bravo to everybody that could name all three: grandsphere, urbansphere and skysphere. Now comes the boldest yet, a luxury coupe that turns into a pickup with augmented reality headsets. Welcome to the Audi activesphere, a 4.98m long, four-door coupe on 22-inch wheels ‘announcing its off-road talent’ as well as an open rear cargo bed that’s called an ‘active back’. For all your lifestyle stuff, see. Can’t accuse all Audis of being the same now…
The activesphere was designed in Malibu, which might explain the beach-ready look and desert racer vibe. Audi says the car is a ‘versatile crosser of boundaries’, suitable of use both on-road and off it, by ‘combining opposites in perfect synthesis’. All of which makes it sound like a C3 Pluriel for the 2020s, but the reality is far better, a sleek and stylish body on top of gigantic off-road wheels and some recognisable Audi e-tron cues. It’s habit to try and create a comparison with a new car, though there’s really nothing like this on offer anywhere right now. Even Audi’s own e-tron GT looks stiflingly traditional compared to the activesphere.
As is becoming EV tradition, there is viable production architecture under the concept. The activesphere uses the PPE modular system that’s going to be under the new Porsche Macan (among other things) which, in this installation, is said to offer 436hp, 531lb ft and a range of more than 372 miles. 62mph comes up in less than five seconds, and top speed will vary depending on whether off road or on it. So far, so almost normal. The activesphere also carries over the 800-volt charging tech, so drivers don’t have to spend too much time plugged in while on a PCH cruise.
That’s assuming they even want to drive, of course. The autonomous driving technology is now beyond merely taking control of the wheel, and can offer the occupants - all four of them, in there via suicide doors and on individual pews - a completely different experience entirely. Best let Audi explain: “The innovative operating concept, Audi Dimension, combines the physical and virtual worlds (i.e., mixed reality) by displaying digital content in the occupants’ fields of vision in real-time. High-tech headsets provide a view of the real environment and the route, while simultaneously displaying 3D content and interactive elements – individually configurable for drivers and passengers.” Which seems part video game, part Black Mirror, but would at least keep you distracted if travelling with people you didn’t like.
The person behind the wheel still gets displays if they need them, with the headsets providing a whole other world of information for the passengers that the naked eye can’t see. Perhaps more relevantly for any real-world application of the activesphere concept, the wheelbase is huge (2.97m) so whatever does end up in the cabin technology wise will at least have plenty of space.
The off-road claims aren’t merely PR fluff, either, even with so much glass in the construction. (Note in particular the lower door glass, like a Senna, giving you the best view of the surroundings.) It can be raised 40mm from the standard 208mm ride height, or dropped another 40mm for aero at speed - really is the car for every scenario. If you’re thinking Allroad as well, then that’s very much what’s being encouraged by Audi. The approach angle is 18.9 degrees, and the departure angle is 28.1, which ought to be just fine at the beach. There’s technology to help off road as well, with graphics projected onto the actual landscape to assist with navigation. Even the wheels can change dependent on setting: closed for aero benefit on road, open for ventilation off it.
As for the pick-up bit, Audi really is quite serious about it. Well, serious for the concept. When it no longer needs to be a Sportback, the rear window can slide almost flush with the roof and the vertical part of the rear can fold horizontally. The active back that results features e-bike brackets, with a motorised bulkhead to protect passengers from the elements. There’s a ski rack too, of course, because what kind of Audi Allroad would this be without a ski rack. Especially when the headrests that could well transform that interior experience can also help ‘find the ideal descent when skiing downhill’…
We’re probably some way from mixed reality, the real world being superimposed with virtual content and invisible displays, making its way to production. But it’s easy to see where the potential could lead; a head-up display probably seemed like something from outer space once upon a time, as did radar cruise and unlocking your car from a mobile phone. Who wouldn’t want to make long journeys more interesting? What looks more viable for the future is some kind of EV reinterpretation of the Allroad concept, combining the luxury of an Audi saloon with some actual off-road ability - almost like the original was quite a good idea. But then an A6 Avant didn’t look quite this spectacular. All of the Audi sphere concepts have been pretty out there, and that’s no different here, but who’s to say what might happen - the EV revolution is nothing if not short of surprises.
Anyway, the car itself, seems to me like Audi's version of the Tesla Cybertruck, except we all know it'll look nothing like this concept, whereas the Tesla will in all likelihood look exactly like what we've seen.
Oh dear, what a waste of time.
If it was human it would be called Jonathan and know a little bit about investing. Have a girlfriend who's Dad owns a stables and they all Ski at their Swiss Aunts chalet once a year.
ETA. And his watch is bigger than his wrist and is a tad too garish for his outfits.
If it was human it would be called Jonathan and know a little bit about investing. Have a girlfriend who's Dad owns a stables and they all Ski at their Swiss Aunts chalet once a year.
ETA. And his watch is bigger than his wrist and is a tad too garish for his outfits.
Big Q for here: What does he drive?
I'd say RR sport. Financed up to the eyeballs on it.
https://youtu.be/n-YsxjVXhEM
If it was human it would be called Jonathan and know a little bit about investing. Have a girlfriend who's Dad owns a stables and they all Ski at their Swiss Aunts chalet once a year.
ETA. And his watch is bigger than his wrist and is a tad too garish for his outfits.
Big Q for here: What does he drive?
I'd say RR sport. Financed up to the eyeballs on it.
Talks about his golf club so we can all see what an aspirational social climber he is.
Dresses up like a Tour de France rider when cycling half a mile to get a newspaper.
Talks about lats, squats, bench presses, BMI, macro-diets and personal trainers.
Says he'll 'check-in' with his colleagues and 'reach out' to you on LinkedIn.
Has just ordered a case of a cheeky little sauvignon from a wine producer he knows personally (translation, dropped in on once, many years ago, at random). Tells everyone.
The design is about reducing CdA, by addressing BOTH the frontal area and the drag co-efficient, yet offers the benefits of SUV ride height.
Function over form.
This is the right way to go about bringing lower mass (including via smaller battery) and energy consumption/cost for future electric SUVs.
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