Audi is taking a break from the run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter electric crossovers that have flooded the market to explore a more rugged, adventure-ready kind of electric commercial vehicle. It concludes the EV concept series and shows how electric technology can be shaped into a more versatile multi-purpose vehicle. The new concept blends the body of Sportback his sedan with his high-riding 4×4 chassis and the unparalleled practicality of his pickup truck.
Audi will unveil three ‘Sphere’ concepts for 2021-2022, combining modular premium platform electrics (PPE) with next-generation autonomous driving technology, from a shapeshifting roadster to a stretch ultra-premium saloon. Active Sphere debuts as his fourth and final concept in the series, removing the boundaries between traditional automotive segments and becoming a true jack of all trades.
Off-road sports cars are all the rage in the second half of 2022 at the Volkswagen Group. That trend continues with Active Sphere, albeit in the form of a larger, more practical concept. At 16.4 feet (5 m), his 4-door isn’t quite as pure a sports car as a Porsche 911 or Lamborghini Huracan, but its fastback his profile, sleek, curvaceous body and keen eye give him sports car flair. flaunting. line of sight.
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When it comes to off-road capability, the Active Sphere rides significantly better than your average crossover coupé thanks to its adaptive air suspension and oversized 22-inch wheels mated to large 285/50 all-terrain tires. is realized. The adjustable suspension maxes out at higher ground clearance than the Toyota Tacoma, leaving his 9.8 inches (248 mm) of open air between the ground and the chassis. Back on the highway, the driver can lower the suspension to its default setting of 8.1 inches (208 mm) for tighter handling.
The Activesphere’s all-electric powertrain drives all four wheels via the Quattro AWD system with dedicated front and rear axle motors. These motors team up for a combined 436 hp (325 kW) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque for a breezy 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time of 4.9 seconds.
Audi goes beyond the average forgettable electric crossover concept by taking the utility aspect of its CUV concept a little more seriously. At the push of a button, the concept Sportback becomes an ‘active back’ and opens up to a small pickup-style bed with a drop-down tailgate. Easily transport your wakeboards and waterskis to the rink, your wakeboards and waterskis to the lake, or your winter gear to the mountains. For the latter, the concept also includes a roof-integrated retractable ski rack.
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The Activesphere has a 100 kWh flat battery pack inside a 117-inch (2,970 mm) wheelbase, and Audi estimates a range of over 372 miles (600 km). We’ll see what the range numbers look like once the first production PPE vehicles hit the stage, but the 800 V architecture has been confirmed as part of the production plan. With Active Sphere, just 10 minutes would mean he’d add 186 miles (300 km) of range, while a driver with 25 minutes to spare would see him at 5% to 80% charge level. can jump to
Like its predecessor the Sphere concept, the Activesphere comes with Level 4 autonomy, giving the driver the choice of getting behind the wheel or leaving all control to the vehicle. In autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel, pedals and dashboard are retracted, creating ample space in front of the driver and front passenger. Staying out of the way, a transparent Singleframe grille combines with the windshield to give you an expanded view of the road ahead.
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But the view from the analog windows is from the 20th century. For those looking for something more cutting-edge, mixed-reality headsets can be put on to combine camera views with superimposed 3D content, interactive features, and driving information. For example, in off-road environments, the system can project high-definition he 3D terrain graphics onto real landscape images, adding information and navigation overlays.
Each occupant has their own VR headset, with individually configurable content and controlled by a combination of gaze- and gesture-sensitive virtual touch controls. Passengers can also use these virtual controls for basics such as car audio and cabin climate control. This threatens a whole new level of totally unnecessary technical annoyance, several times greater than current digital hard-touch controls.
Audi says the headset can also be used outside the vehicle, not only for vehicle-related tasks like charge monitoring, but also for unrelated activities like augmented reality mountain bike trails and ski slope navigation.
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I’m not sure there’s enough of a market for an all-in-one 4×4 crossover coupe mini pickup, but I definitely want to own one, but the Active Sphere effectively previews several possible vehicles at once. says its PPE architecture, which it is co-developing with Porsche, can support a wide range of mass-produced vehicle styles, including high-riding SUVs and CUVs. Also note that the Active Sphere shares almost the same external dimensions as his A6 sedan.
Audi unveiled the Activesphere concept at its Malibu design studio on Thursday. With the PPE preview Sphere concept series officially complete, the company plans to unveil multiple of his PPE production vehicles in quick succession by the end of 2023.
Source: Audi
