3
Audi presents the third installment in its series of electric “sphere” concepts exploring the future of autonomous mobility. The urbansphere, designed for Chinese megalopolises, offers a modern and spacious passenger compartment.
The third part of the “sphere” electric concepts exploring the future of autonomous mobility, after the skysphere cabriolet and the grandsphere sedan, the Audi urbansphere concept was designed for Chinese megalopolises. It was also to be revealed during the Beijing Auto Show, which was however postponed due to Covid.
Thinking from the inside out
Audi designers in Beijing, in collaboration with the brand’s headquarters in Ingolstadt (Germany) and through a co-creation process involving potential Chinese customers, designed this concept from the inside out. The outer form therefore follows the function and does not appear particularly graceful.
The front and rear sides do not go unnoticed, however, and offer the possibility of displaying numerous light animations so that the vehicle communicates with the outside world.
Although it was designed for megacities, the urbansphere concept is a big car. Very large even, so that it is the largest concept car from Audi to date, with a length of 5.51 m and a width of 2.01 m. The wheelbase thus reaches 3.40 m, in order to offer maximum space on board.
The interior includes four individual swivel seats whose backrests can be tilted up to 60°. Access on board is facilitated by the large antagonistic doors at the rear and the absence of a central pillar, while a semblance of a red carpet can be thrown onto the ground.
The urbansphere is designed as a level 4 autonomous vehicle, allowing fully automated driving under certain conditions. It is therefore possible to completely abandon driving duties and attend to other occupations. Audi hopes to introduce this technology in series production in the second half of the decade in collaboration with CARIAD.
A cabin designed for autonomous driving
The passenger compartment can then be transformed to remove the steering wheel, the pedals and the conventional dashboard. Each seat benefits from speakers in the headrest area and an individual monitor for entertainment functions.
If passengers want to watch the same content together, a transparent OLED screen can be rotated from the ceiling. To interact with him, the car incorporates gesture controls and even an eye tracking function.
Finally, via facial scans and voice analysis, the Urbansphere concept is able to detect the stress level of its passengers. The car therefore offers each of its occupants ways to relax, for example with a meditation application.
Although this urban vehicle is not supposed to be based on a demonstrative technical sheet, Audi has not skimped on its characteristics. Thus, the concept, which is based on the PPE platform, integrates an electric motor on each of its axles in order to offer the famous quattro all-wheel drive. Total power reaches 295 kW (401 hp) and torque 690 Nm.
The WLTP range is estimated by Audi at 750 km thanks to a 120 kWh battery integrated into the floor. The 800 V recharge makes it possible to reach a power of 270 kW, for a charging time of 5 to 80% in less than 25 min.