For the fourth and final member of its series of Sphere concept vehicles, Audi has managed to combine elements from several vehicle types.
Unveiled on Thursday, the new Audi Activesphere concept is a crossover with a coupe-like body that integrates a bed and tailgate at the rear.
The concept is designed for an active lifestyle, so it features high ground clearance and underbody protection to ensure it can handle rough terrain, but also storage solutions like the bed and a roof-mounted ski rack for all your essential gear.
Audi Activesphere concept
Take away some of the off-road gear, and the Activesphere’s slick fastback profile would make for a sexy next-gen A7, which might not be that far-fetched given that the Activesphere’s 196-inch length is the same as that of the current A7.
A prominent element of the design is a clear-glass front fascia that includes a window in the shape of Audi’s traditional grille. By leaving this section clear, occupants have an unobstructed view through the front trunk and of the road ahead.
Inmates also have headsets that offer an augmented reality experience. The headset shows its wearer the real environment and at the same time superimposes additional information with 3D graphics. The information is configured differently for the driver and passengers, since the driver primarily receives information relevant to driving. Wearers can also interact with the information displayed in the headsets by controlling touch-sensitive areas of the cabin.
Audi Activesphere concept
Audi Activesphere concept
Audi Activesphere concept
The Activesphere complements the previous Grandsphere, Skysphere and Urbansphere concepts. The others include fastback sedans, sports cars, and minivan body styles.
All concepts are electric vehicles based on Volkswagen Group’s PPE platform, which Audi will first use in a new Q6 E-Tron compact crossover due in 2023 or early next year. For the Activesphere, the platform has a 100 kWh battery and a charging capacity of up to 270 kW. Audi says it takes about 25 minutes to charge from 5-80%.
The Sphere Concepts also feature a self-driving function, giving the person behind the wheel the option to drive or sit back and relax while driving. In the Activesphere, the dashboard, steering wheel and pedals all fold away when the car goes into self-driving mode.
Audi Activesphere concept
The Sphere concepts were created by Audi’s Artemis Skunkworks team, formed in 2020 to accelerate vehicle development and try to compete with more agile startups in the EV race. Responsibilities for Artemis have been scaled back significantly in 2021, but at least one of the vehicles he’s developing is expected to reach production by mid-decade. The vehicle is expected to be a production version of the Grandsphere, rumored to be a replacement for the A8, although given the current craze for crossovers, the Activesphere could be the one to get the green light.